Why and How is Dussehra Celebrated All Over India?

From dusk until early morning,  the entire city of “Kolkata” is decorated with lovely lightning. It has various theme-based pandals, and Durga is worshipped for five days. Throughout your visit, you will be mesmerized by the plethora of street food, the dance in traditional attire, the extraordinary inventiveness of the decorated pandals, and the rich culture. Rasogolla is the most widely distributed sweet in West Bengal on the occasion of Durga Puja.
 

Varanasi is the home of the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Various traditional customs are observed on the occasion of Dussehra. The oldest Ramlila performances, over 200 years, can be seen here. The entire city is adorned by scenes that portray historical places like Ayodhya, Lanka, etc. The spectators follow the actors as they go from one site to another to play the narrative. The aartis on the ghats, dips in the Ganga, and many other essential rituals occur on Dussehra in Varanasi.

Mysore’s Dasara festivity is very different from any other celebration of this festivity. Cultural performances, military parades, and sporting competitions are conducted. It starts at the Mysore Palace and ends at Bannimantapa, the site of the worship of the Banni tree. The Mysuru Palace is decorated, and the royal family attends a special Durbar held there. Dasara is celebrated rather lavishly at this place.

The Ram Lila, held at the Ramlila Maidan in Old Delhi, is the most famous event in the nation. Navratri, which lasts nine days, brings cheer to the city. During these days, everyone in Delhi munches vegetarian food, and you might watch theatrical performers perform plays that recount the tale of Lord Rama and how he defeated Ravana.

Kullu Dussehra begins when the Dussehra concludes in other parts on Vijay Dashami. The key ceremony, known as Lankadahan, is conducted over a week with over 250 congregated deities at the Beas Bank. Though Ram’s victory over Ravan is encompassed in the celebration’s legend, Dussehra here does not just revolve around this occasion.

This Durga Puja is celebrated in Bastar for 2.5 months, from August to October, making it the most extended Dussehra celebration. Hareli Amavasya marks the beginning of Bastar Dussehra. The Rath Yatra is the most anticipated occasion. From the Baidarguda forest in Bilouri, a 3-and-a-half-foot-long and closely 3-foot-round Sal tree in Turlu Khetla shape is usually carried. The celebration has rigorous rituals; for example, a girl swings on a bed of thorns, and a boy watches while being buried on shoulders for 9 days.

Kota takes a much more exclusive approach to celebrating Dussehra. If you attend fairs here, you may see cultural performers and regional artists! You can also hear the chants of Sri Ram echoing in the background. The local villagers disguise themselves in their traditional attire. Ravana’s statues are set on fire to signal the festival’s conclusion.

Bathukamma starts on Mahalaya Amavasya, which coincides with Navratri and ends on Durgasthami. Throughout the nine days, women make little “Bathukammas” bright flowers proficiently arranged in circular rows on a brass plate, dance around them every evening, and then plunge them in a neighbouring pond.

Coorg Dussehra celebration is one of the best hill stations in South India. The Madikeri Dasara festival, which is celebrated, starts with the traditional karaga folk dances. The Pandavas’ wife, Draupadi, is honoured at the ceremonies. To welcome the 10th day, the celebration lasts the whole 9th day. The Madikeri Dasara is a 100-year-old custom, and its preparation starts 3 months prior to the main event.

Dussehra is celebrated unusually in Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu. The Kulasai Mutharamman Devi Temple is an important structure dating back to the era of King Maravarman Kulasekaran. It is believed that the Goddesses guard the community and its inhabitants and assist their followers when required. Devotees travel from several areas to honour the Goddess. Furthermore, persons are seen roaming around dressed as soldiers, police officers, physicians, etc.