Dussehra is one the most popular festival that glorifies the victory of Good over Evil, truth over false and sin over virtue. It reminds us to walk on the path of Dharma, the righteousness no matter how hard times it makes you to go through. The festival inspires us the very fact of ‘Satyamev Jayate’, meaning it’s the ‘TRUTH’ that wins in the end. 10th Day of every Navratri is the festival of Dussehra, according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Effigy of Ravan, the Evil king of Lanka from the Epic Ramayan is burnt to celebrate the victory of God Ram who killed the evil power. It also marks the triumph of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasur.

Though we know some of these facts related to the ancient festival that is packed with folk dances, Durga Puja, rituals and traditions, I am not sure everyone here knows everything about this awesome festival known as Dussehra. Here are few points for you, that might have not unknown!

1.The name ‘Dussehra’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dasha-Hara’ which literally means “The Sun Will Not Rise” further clarifying that the sun wouldn’t rise until God Ram Kills Ravan.

2. Goddess Durga is the ‘Shakti’ created by God Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh in order to curb the powers and kill the demon king Mahishasur

3. Ma Durga killed the demon on 10th day of the Shukla Paksha of Hindu Lunar Calendar, and the victory on this day is also referred as Vijayadashmi.

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4. Ravan’s ten heads represents ten bad qualities of a person: Lust – Kam Vasana, Anger – Krodh, Attachment – Moh, Greed – Lobh, Over Pride – Mad, Jealousy – Matsarya, Selfishness – Swarth, Injustice – Anyaay, Cruelty – Amanavta, Ego – Ahankar. Burning the effigy cleanses the soul from these qualities!

5. Apart from India, Dussehra is also celebrated in Nepal and Bangladesh. Malaysia has an official holiday to mark the religious festival.

6. It is believed that Dussehra is being celebrated since 17th Century after the King of Mysore ordered the state to celebrate the same in full glory.

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7. The festival also mark the change of the agriculture crops, farmers now harvest the Kharif crops and after Diwali starts with the Rabi crop. It marks the beginning of pleasant and cooler climate after the monsoon.

8. It is believed that Goddess Durga visits her mother with her children Ganesh and Kartik on the day of Durga Puja and returns to God Shiv on Dussehra.

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