Significance of Dussehra 2024: Victory of Good Over Evil
The auspicious nine days of worship of Maa Durga during Navratri culminate in the grand festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami. This day falls on the dashmi tithi of the Ashwin month in the Shukla Paksha and signifies the triumph of good over evil.
Dussehra 2024 will be celebrated on Saturday, 12th October 2024. This day marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and the release of his wife, Sita, from captivity. Dussehra celebrates the power of truth, righteousness, and the victory of Dharma over evil. It is also the day when Maa Durga defeated Mahishasura, symbolizing the destruction of negative forces.
On this day, Navratri comes to an end, and devotees bid farewell to Maa Durga by immersing her idol in rivers and water bodies. The day is considered highly auspicious for making new purchases such as property, cars, or other important articles. There is no need for a special muhurat, as anything bought on Dussehra is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Devotees also worship Lord Rama, Maa Durga, Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, and Lord Hanuman. Reciting holy scriptures like the Ram Raksha Stotra and Sundarkand is a common practice on this day.
Dussehra Celebrations Across India
Local fairs are held on Dussehra, where actors perform the Ramayana, leading up to the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad. These effigies are made from straw, grass, and paper, and their burning signifies the destruction of evil. The entire story of Lord Rama, from his birth to his victory over Ravana, is reenacted by local artists.
In Kolkata and West Bengal, Dussehra is celebrated as a victory of Maa Durga over Mahishasura. The immersion of Durga idols is carried out with great pomp and show. This ritual signifies Maa Durga’s return to Kailash Parvat, to the home of her husband, Lord Shiva. The festival conveys the importance of rejecting evil and embracing righteousness.
Dussehra 2024: Auspicious Day for New Beginnings
Dussehra also marks the end of the monsoon season in India, symbolizing the removal of bad luck and ill fate. It is an ideal time to buy new cars, land, and property, as the day is considered highly auspicious.
Another Dussehra tradition includes offering paan (betel leaf) to Lord Hanuman and others, which is believed to bring blessings of health, love, respect, and victory. It is customary to eat paan after burning the effigy of Ravana, as it is said to protect against seasonal infections following Navratri.
The Significance of Neelkanth Bird on Dussehra
Seeing the Neelkanth bird is considered a sign of good fortune on Dussehra. The bird, representing Lord Shiva, is believed to bring blessings of luck, happiness, and prosperity. According to mythology, Lord Rama sought the darshan of the Neelkanth bird before his battle with Ravana, hoping to gain strength and victory.
Dussehra: A Sarvasiddhi Tithi
The day of Dussehra is a sarvasiddhi tithi, a time when any auspicious work started will result in success. It is an ideal day for various ceremonies such as housewarming (grah pravesh), naming ceremonies, ear piercing, and the yagyopaveet ceremony. However, weddings should be avoided
