This Dusshera week with Navratras is one of the most celebrated weeks in a year. People from all walks of life feel wonderful about the festive feel in the Indian markets, the amazing food people cook and exchange and the continuous celebrations that start with the first day of Navaratras. While in some parts of the country people witness the galore of Dussehra melas, watch Ramleela plays and attend other events, the others begin their yearly Durga Pujo celebrations. The many states of our country offer different cultures to see and that is why we bring to you the many ways people across India celebrate Dussehra. Lets begin with North.
1. Northern India
Except the ten-day play based on Ramayana called the Ramlila and burning Ravana and his two brother’s effigies, men in some cities place barley sprouts of barley seeds planted on the first day of Navratri in their caps or behind their ears as a symbol of luck. This is most promonently seen in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Bihar.
2. Kumaon, Uttarakhand
The Dasara (Dussehra) festival begins with a unique Ramlila based on the musical rendering of the katha or story of Lord Rama.
3. Kullu Dussehra in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan in the Kullu valley. God Raghunath is the ruling deity of the Valley.
4. Southern India
On Vijayadashami students and workers use their books and tools which were kept for puja on the ninth day of Navratri. Dolls and figurines are sold in the market. The festival is celebrated in all temples of Durgamata. In Vijayawada on Vijayadashami day, Teppa Utsavam is celebrated by placing Durga’s image on a big boat decorated with flowers and lights, in the evening.
5. Telangana
Bathukamma, a floral festival is celebrated, in Telangana. Young members of the family pay respects to their elders by giving them the leaves of Shami tree/ Jambi tree, and seeking their blessing.
6. Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Vidyarambham known as Initiation of Writing is celebrated to formally begin a kid’s education before he is admitted in a school. The kid writes for the first time on rice spread in a plate with the index finger, guided by an elder of the family or by a reputed teacher.
7. Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the deities installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water. People meet each other, exchange sweets andworship the Apta tree (Piliostigma racemosum). The leaves known as golden leaves are exchanged as a symbol of gold wishing each other a prosperous future.
8. Odisha
Women offer cooked rice soaked in water, with curd, Pitha (baked cakes), sweets and fried fish to the Goddess Durga. A grand send-off is arranged for the goddess which starts with processions on streets and then he statues are immersed in a nearby river or lake. After ceremony, people celebrate Ravan Podi, by burning an effigy of Ravan.
9. Bengal
During Durga Puja, deities of the goddess Durga are worshiped for 5 days, and on the 5th day the figurines are immersed in a river or pond. In Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha, the goddess Kali is also worshiped as a symbol of Power.
ReshareIt’s team wishes you a happy and prosperous Dussehra!
