The Dussehra

"Greatest festival of Hindus stands for purity and chastity".

The Dussehra is an important Indian festival. It generally comes off in the month of October. It is celebrated all over the country in honor of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.

The festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. In Punjab, celebrations continue for about ten days. Learned pandits recite Katha from the Ramayana. People listen to it with great reverence. In most of the towns, Ram Lila is staged for several nights. Thousands of people go to enjoy it.

The marriage of Lord Rama with Sita is celebrated with great pomp and show. The marriage procession passes through the main streets of the city. On that day, there is a great stir and excitement in the whole town. The balconies and rooftops are crowded with men and women. They are eager to see the pageants. The entire route is full of people. It becomes very difficult to pass through the main bazaar.

On the last day, a grand fair is held in an open ground. Big effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana, and Meghnad are set up there. Men, women, and children in their gala dresses, begin to assemble there to see the effigies. The whole ground hums with life. Children enjoy fun and amusement. People stand in an open circle around the effigies.

Towards sunset, fireworks are let off. Then Rama and Lakshmana come in a chariot. Rama shoots arrows on the effigies and they set them on fire. As the effigies catch fire, crackers and shells explode with a deafening sound. Within a few minutes, the effigies are reduced to ashes. After this people go to nearby restaurants to take refreshments. Children get their favorite dishes. It is a pleasant outing for the families. Then they return home.

The festival has a great religious value. It teaches us that good triumphs over evil.