DASAHARA or DASARA ‘nine nights’, this nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day of Ashvija
is considered the most auspicious time of the Hindu Calendar and is hence the most
celebrated time of the year. Although it has different names in different parts
of India, it is celebrated by Hindus from all regions. From Kashmir in the north
to Tamil Nadu in the south, and from Gujarat in the west to Sikkim in the east,
it is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the conquest of good over evil. Every
region has its own myths and reasons to explain this. The nine different aspects
of Devi are worshipped over the nine days. These are the most popular forms under which she is worshipped: Durga: goddess beyond reach; Bhadrakali the auspicious
power of time; Amba or Jagdamba: mother of the world; Annapurna: giver of food and
plenty; Sarvamangala: auspicious goddess; Bhairavi: terrible, fearful, power of
death; Chandika or Chandi: violent, wrathful, furious; Lalita: playful; and Bhavani:
giver of existence. The festivities culminate on the tenth day, called variously
Vijayadashmi, Dushehra or Dassain when people in most parts of the country burn
effigies of Ravana, Meghanatha and Kumbhakarna.
Some people fast on all nine days,eating only fruit and milk dishes. Some fast only on the eighth or ninth day. As
the festival is dear to the mother goddess, o n the eighth or ninth day many people
invite over nine young girls from the neighbourhood. These girls are treated as
the goddess herself. People ceremonially wash their feet, worship them and then
offer food to the “girl-goddesses”. On the first day of the Navaratri, grains of
barley are planted in the puja room of the house. A small bed of mud is prepared
in which barley seeds are sown after a small puja has been performed. Every day
some water is sprinkled on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3- 5 inches
in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees
as a blessing from god. The seedlings are placed on their caps, behind their ears,
and inside books to bring good luck. This custom suggests a link to harvesting.
The sowing and reaping of barley is symbolic of the “first fruit”. Soon after this
festival, the sugarcane crop is harvested and the winter crops are sown. According
to one hypothesis, in ancient times, this was a festival intended for the Kshatriyas.
After the four-month long monsoon when military activity was not possible, this
was considered a good time to start a fresh on one’s conquests.
For nine days before starting on the war journey, kings prayed to the nine different aspects of Devi
or Adishakti. They also prayed for their arms and ammunition. The tenth day was
when the journey for the conquest began. The origin of this custom can also be traced
to the Ramayana. According to it, Rama had to pray to the nine different aspects
of Devi to be able to kill Ravana. He then accumulated enough power to kill Ravana
on the tenth day, which was called Vijayadashmi or Victory Day. Since then, the
tradition of praying to Devi for nine days has continued and was especially pronounced
amongst the Kshatriyas who believed that by doing so, they too would be able to
defeat the most powerful enemy. In Mahabharatha, Pandavas reveal their identity on the auspicious vijayadasami day when they were in agnaathavaasam followed by vanavaasam, and collect their aayudhas(divine arms). Dasara,is celebrated more for its mythological significance and reaffirms the Hindu faith in the triumph
of good. Even today, the nine different forms of the goddess are worshipped. In Bengal, this period is celebrated as Durga Puja. In Gujarat, this is the time for the joyous Garba and Dandia dances and people pour out at night to participate in this community festival. Women and girls in all their fineries dance around the garb a pot, clapping their hands in rhythmic movement. The pot
is decorated with flowers, betel leaves, and has its mouth covered with a coconut.
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days of the festival are dedicated to Lakshmi, the
next three to Durga and the last three to Saraswati.
In Andhara Pradesh, at various places devotees celebrate in groups with all the nine days or ten days deeksha. Also in numerous sumangali and kanya devotees perform pooja in the morning and evening on all these days. In Vijayawada kanakadurga temple, various devi rituals are performed along with praying godess durga in different cornations on all these dasara days, each day with divine significance. Devotees from various parts witness the sacred rituals and get blessed by maata Durga and call her with close effection as Amma(the mother). Also this temple is more familiar with Bhavani Deeksha(40 Days).
In Karnataka, Mysore Chammundeswari temple various rituals are performed and devotees visit temple with pious feeling and sanctity.
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