Mangalore: Vijayadashami - Triumph of Righteousness over Evil
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Oct 5: Vijayadashami is celebrated on the tenth day of Ashwija month as per Hindu calendar. This year, it falls on October 6.
This is one of the biggest festivals to be celebrated across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It is known with different names like Dasara, Dussehra, Navaratri, Durgotsav, Ramlila etc.
Vijayadashami is the culmination of the Navaratri festival, which unfolds cultural richness of the country. On all days of Navaratri beginning from the first day, plays, dances, singing, Bhajans, etc are organized at different places in every town and village by erecting pandals. In south India, the installation of an idol of Goddess Sharada, goddess of education and affluence, is popular. The goddess is presented in different forms each day of Navaratri, to signify that she controls everything from health, wealth, and well-being. In north India, giant-sized statues of Raavan, Kumbhakarn and Meghanad are erected on large grounds. These statues are made of flammable material, and fire crackers are filled inside them. Ramlila, depicting the story of Lord Rama, is enacted since the first day, and on Vijayadashami, Lord Ram kills Raavan by shooting an arrow, and the three statues burst into flames.
The festival falls during the beginning of the harvesting season. Newly harvested corn is brought in a procession to the temple, puja is peformed, and then the corn is distributed among the devotees, who tie them in a customary fashion at various places in their homes including granary, machinery, almirahs in which valuables are kept, etc. A few paddy corns are opened and the tender rice inside is added to a delicious preparation.
On the ninth day of the festival, vehicles, machinery, tools, weapons like guns etc are cleaned and puja is offered to them to invoke protective cover from the divine powers.
On Vijayadashami, the idols of Sharada, Durga etc are taken in a procession accompanied by tableaux, musical accompaniment and large crowds, and immerged in a lake or pond. In coastal Karnataka, some people don different roles by wearing make up and costumes, and go from house to house, seeking donations. Huli Veshas, which try to imitate movements of tigers, are very popular in this region.
Vijayadashami, the day on which Lord Rama is believed to have annihilated demon Raavana, signifies victory of righteousness over evil. The festival, which used to depict richness and affluence of kings in the past, also provides a platform to bring to the fore innate talents, cultural richness of a region and evoke among the people a sense of reverence and devotion towards the Almighty.