Vijayadasami

According to Hindu custom, Vijayadasami is the festival celebrating most of the states in India. Several names are attributed to Vijayadasami on the basis of the different parts of the country such as in south and north east states, this festival is known as Durga puja. Because it is celebrating as the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. But in northern and western states this festival is Dussehra. It is celebrating as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. On the basis of Hindu calendar, Vijayadasami or Dussehra is celebrated at the end of Navaratri on the month of Ashwin or Kartik in every year. There are different types of stories on according to the changing of places and customs. Some places in India signifies Vijayadasami or Dussehra as Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. So devotees are worshipping the nine avatars of Goddess. In Kerala and Karnataka, Vijayadasami is represented as an auspicious day to start learning. Hindu belief is that elder member of the family will help to write something on sand or rice to start learning. There is a history behind this festival. Some places in India signifies Vijayadasami or Dussehra as Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, the demon. So devotees are worshipping the nine Avatars of Goddess Durga on Navaratri. The main ritual that is conducting in this time is Goddess Durga is submerging in water and it symbolises the departure of Goddess Durga from the physical world after retaining Dharma. Lord Rama is the seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu. One day demon king Ravana kidnapped Lord Rama's wife Sita and Ravana also get blessing from Lord Brahma for being imperishable. In Lanka, they were conducted a battle and atlast Rama killed Ravana by shooting an arrow in the belly of Ravana. So in North India, this day is considered as the day of the victory of Rama. Special prayer meetings are conducting by devotees at the time of Dussehra or Vijayadasami. Celebrations are held on the basis of that Tika is painted on people's forehead and models of Ravana is born fire on that day.