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Legends
Dussehra commences both the victory of the warrior Goddess Durga (consort
of Shiva) over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, and that of Rama (an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu), over Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka,
who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita. Worship of the Goddess is the oldest
tradition, significant in this case as it represents the female deity's
supremacy over the male Gods who unable to destroy the demon.
Durga worship also has social implications. As Goddess of war, she is a
particular favourite of the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, once
constituting the ruling elite and aristocracy.
Celebrations Across India
Dusshera celebrations in India vary from region to region. In various
parts of the country, all through Navaratras, Ramleelas use the Sahitya of
the several versions both the Desi and Margi streams of tradition of the
Ramayana to put on board a mind-boggling array of performances. The most
well-known one started by the Raja of Benaras over a century ago, which is
a magnificent form in itself of enacting the Ramayana of Tulsidas,
composed in rhyming couplets.
During the Navaratras, the town of Ramnagar becomes one vast set of play.
Different scenes are enacted in different parts of the town, and the
audience walks along with the actors of the play, involving themselves
physically with the action of the narrative.
All over northern India, the culmination happens on Dussehra with three
gigantic effigies of Ravana, Meghanath and Kumbakarna being set aflame by
the actor dressed as Rama, by shooting an arrow into Ravan's navel. It is
said that this particular time is the Vijay Vela when Rama had defeated
Ravana and it is believed that anyone who wants to demolish or defeat his
enemy must worship the Shami tree and set out of their homes in splendour
in order to do so. This tree is said to be doubly auspicious as it was on
the Shami that the Pandavas had hidden their weapons during the Agyatvaas,
which was the last year of their Vanvas (exile), when they has to live in
anonymity.
Mysore Dussehra
Down south, the city of Mysore is synonymous with its annual Dusshera
procession. Chamundeshwari, the patron Goddess of the Mysore Royal family
is worshipped with great fervour. After weeks of feverish preparations, a
spectacular procession of floats, entertainers, and elephant wends its way
through the streets of the city, complete with the erstwhile scion of the
Mysore royal family astride an elephant. Perhaps a muscle flexing exercise
at some point in history, it is now a magnificent pagent reminiscent of
the glory of the Maharajas of yore.
Kullu Dusshera
Not to be outdone is the Dussehra celebrations of Kullu, nestles in the
lap of Himalayas. The festivities begin nearly 10 days in advance and as
per tradition, Gods and Goddesses along with their followers of musicians
and attendants descend from the neighbouring peaks on the relatively
flatter Kullu to make merry and attend the durbar of Lord Raghunath, who
was brought from Ayodhya, nearly 300 years ago. While the celestial durbar
is in place, people too are having a great time in the melas and animal
fairs held on the occasion.