The festival of Dussehra falls twenty days before the Diwali. It shows victory of virtue over vice, of right over wrong. Rama stands for virtuewhereas Ravana, the demon king, depicts vice and wrong.
The story goes that the crowning Prince Rama of Auyodhya undertook fourteen years of exile. In the last year of his wandering, Ravana the king of Lanka carried away his consort, Sita. The result was a bloody fight between the two. Lakhs of people died from both sides. In the end Ravana, his son Meghnat and his powerful brothers were killed and Mother Sita was freed.
This day is celebrated as the Dussehra Day through the length and breadth of India. The schools and colleges are off. There is autumn break or Dussehra Holidays. The Ramlila is enacted in every street and corner. There are well-established Ram Lila Committees who attract millions of people. For ten days continously the Ramlila is played day and night. Then comes the last day.
It is the climix of the whole show. In a big and spacious ground the main function of Dussehra is held. There is an atmosphere of great festivity. Everyone is happy and joyous. Each one attends the celebration in his best spirits. Children put on new clothes. The bazaars(markets) are arranged. Vendors sell all types of wares, especially toys for children. Elders can eat mouth watering dishes.
In the middle of the ground effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and other demons stand head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd. They can be seen from afar. They are made of bamboo sticks and coloured papers. They are stuffed with high-powered crackers. With the fall of the sun, these effigies are ignited (kindled). The deafening sound of the burning effigies sends a wave of thrill and excitement in every heart. Their ashes and half-burnt bamboosticks are considered to be exceptionally sacred. People gather them and preserve them.
People return home with great satisfaction. Thus the festival come to a happy ending, giving the message of virtue and goodness.
This day is celebrated as the Dussehra Day through the length and breadth of India. The schools and colleges are off. There is autumn break or Dussehra Holidays. The Ramlila is enacted in every street and corner. There are well-established Ram Lila Committees who attract millions of people. For ten days continously the Ramlila is played day and night. Then comes the last day.
It is the climix of the whole show. In a big and spacious ground the main function of Dussehra is held. There is an atmosphere of great festivity. Everyone is happy and joyous. Each one attends the celebration in his best spirits. Children put on new clothes. The bazaars(markets) are arranged. Vendors sell all types of wares, especially toys for children. Elders can eat mouth watering dishes.
In the middle of the ground effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and other demons stand head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd. They can be seen from afar. They are made of bamboo sticks and coloured papers. They are stuffed with high-powered crackers. With the fall of the sun, these effigies are ignited (kindled). The deafening sound of the burning effigies sends a wave of thrill and excitement in every heart. Their ashes and half-burnt bamboosticks are considered to be exceptionally sacred. People gather them and preserve them.
People return home with great satisfaction. Thus the festival come to a happy ending, giving the message of virtue and goodness.
