When is Dussehra in 2023

Dussehra is a Sanskrit word which translates to ‘ten (dasha) defeat (hara)’ in English as it is known that demon King Ravana had 10 heads. According to the Hindu calendar, this day falls on the 10th day of the month of Ashvina which overlaps with September-October in Gregorian calendar. In 2023, Dussehra will be observed on 24th October 2023 (Tuesday).

Why is Dussehra Celebrated?

The Indian festivals of Dussehra or Vijayadashami are celebrated on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashwin (Ashwayuja), according to the Hindu Calendar. The first three days of Navratri are tamas where the Goddess takes an aggressive Form (Maa Durga & Maa Kaali) the next three days are of Rajas where she takes a gentle yet spiritually fulfilling form (Maa Lakshmi) and the last three days are dedicated to Sattva where the Goddess encourages knowledge and enlightenment (Maa Saraswati).

In nine days in Navratri (Navratri 2023 subh muhurat) different forms of Maa Durga are worshiped as Maa Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Kalash is established on the first day of Navratri. At the same time, the fast is opened on the tenth day after worshiping the girl. Let's know when Navratri will begin this year and what is the worship method.

The occasion is an important part of Vijayadashmi (the 10th day of Navaratri). Thus, besides celebrating the epic war between Rama and Ravana and the historic victory of lord Rama over Ravana; there are certain other rituals that must be followed on Dussehra. The 10th day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami in India. Vijayadashami is a composite of two words Vijaya and Dashami. which is respectively mean victory and tenth. connoting the Hindu festival on the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil.

The Ravana Ten Heads.

Ravana is depicted as the king of rakshasass. Lord Rama had to destroy each of the heads to defeat Ravana. These ten head depict the 10 Evil traits lust, Anger, Ego, Pride, Selfishness, Jealousy, Injustice, Greed and lack of humanity.

Worship of Goddess Durga

Along with the Goddess Durga, the Goddess Laksmi Saraswati are also worshipped in Bengal. The Bengali also worshiped Lord Ganesha Kartik on a daily basis. This is exactly why all these five idols are seen together in Durga puja. Vijayadashami the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. the king of demons who was very powerful during this period and tortured innocent people. on the tenth day of the lunar calendar.

Significance of Navratri

This is the reason why Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day after worshiping Durga Maa for nine days in the Sharadiya Navratras. Apart from this, there is another religious legend associated with it that the mahasangram of Maa Durga and Mahishasura Raksha was run for nine days. On the tenth day, Maa Durga killed Mahishasura and since then the festival started.

Dussehra in West Bengal and Odisha

West Bengal is known for its Durga Puja that begins a few days after Navratri begins. Here, Durga is worshipped and on the last day which is Vijayadashami, the idol is bid goodbye by immersing her in a water body. Before the bisarjan, married women apply vermillion on the idol and then on each other to wish each other a happy married life. This ritual is called sindoor khela as it often results in a game of Holi with sindoor.

Why do we burn Ravan on Dussehra?

Ravan observed all this and disguised himself as a holy sage. He approached Sita asking for food. Sita offered him food, standing within the Lakshman Rekha. But, Ravan angrily denied to accept it and told her to come out of that line. As soon as Sita crossed the Lakshman Rekha, Ravan caught her hand and took her away from Lord Ram, towards Lanka ( at present Sri Lanka ), in his magical chariot. All attempt of Sita to save herself was all in vain. To bring back Sita, Lord Ram, led a battle against Ravan with the help of Hanuman and their monkey-army, and at last, we're able to defeat Ravan. To celebrate this victory of good every year we burn Ravan, the symbol of evil.

Why is Navratri Celebrated

It is believed that Lord Rama started this Sharadiya Navratri. Actually, Lord Rama worshiped Shakti for 9 consecutive days and then he conquered Lanka. This is the reason why Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day after worshiping Durga Maa for nine days in the Sharadiya Navratras. Apart from this, there is another religious legend associated with it that the mahasangram of Maa Durga and Mahishasura Raksha was run for nine days. On the tenth day, Maa Durga killed Mahishasura and since then the festival started.

Traditional Celebrations

The festival of Dussehra is celebrated to acknowledge the victory of good over evil. The celebrations of Dussehra begin from the very first day of Navratri and continue till the tenth day. A special program called “Ramlila”, which is the dramatic enactment of the great epic, Ramayana, is organized in various parts of the country. This continues for the nine days of Navratri and finally on the tenth day (Dussehra), actors dressed up as Rama and Laxman act out the final moments of the battle and shoot flaming arrows at the giant effigies of ten-headed Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad which are placed in vast open grounds (where huge crowds gather to witness this act of burning the evil).

How to Celebrate Dussehra at Home?

The day of victory Dussehra is the 10th and final day of Navratri the Hindu festival that worships the. In India, the festival of Dussehra also known as Vijaya Dashami is celebrated every year the victory of good over evil. Dussehra ,Navratri and Diwali are celebrated on a very large scale and with just a few the first step towards preparing your house for any festival is cleaning and decorate their homes with colorful Rangoli.

Dussehra is a festival which is called the victory of good over evil. Everyone likes this festival time of the year. During this time, the brightness of the city and many such things are there, which are difficult to ignore.
The pandals of Durga Puja made in different places are challenging each other and some tasty food offerings are enough to freshen the mood of the people. If you too are wondering when Dussehra is, then this year Dussehra is being celebrated on 24th October 2023.

It is a famous Hindu festival but it is not widely celebrated like Diwali. Unfortunately, in the last few years, it has been seen that the enthusiasm of celebrating the festival has decreased.Celebration is done like a home in schools to excite the children, but watching the burning Ravana in the field with the family and watching Ramlila performed by the theater artist etc. is reduced or not at all is.

Ganesha

According to Hindu calendar, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated every year on the Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, which will be celebrated with great fanfare on 19 September 2023, on Tuesday, according to the English calendar this year.

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India, but in some areas it is celebrated specially because the people of those regions celebrate this festival in the biggest festival of Hinduism.Just as the main festival of the people of West Bengal is the festival of Durga Puja or Navaratri, similarly Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi as the main festival with great fanfare and gaiety.This festival of Ganesh Chaturthi lasts for about ten days, due to which it is also called Ganeshotsav.

In North India, Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ganesh.It is clear from the name of Ganesh Chaturthi that in the worship of Lord Ganesha i.e. in this Ganesh festival we install the idol of Ganapati and worship him with ten days of full enthusiasm and reverence.This festival is celebrated from Chaturthi to Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad of Hindu month.