Dussehra in Tamil Nadu

One of the most popular festivals of India, Dussera is celebrated with equal enthusiasm among all regions of the country but in different ways. Also known as Vijaya Dashami in certain parts of the country, Dussera is the tenth day of the Durga Puja during the month of Ashwin. It is celebrate the victory of good over evil after Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.

The other significance of Dussera is that is marks the end of the exile of the Pandavas according to the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. Another story attached to the significance of Dussera is the fight between Lord Rama and Ravana. Sita, Lord Rama’s wife had been adducted by Ravana, a believer of Lord Shiva. Rama offers prayers to Shiva’s wife, Goddess Durga to help him rescue Sita. Dussera is the day when Lord Rama successfully kills Ravana and rescues his wife.

Dussera celebrations in Tamil Nadu include a lot of color, flowers and exchanging of gifts. In the South Indian states, dolls or Bommai Kolu are decorated by the devotees. Houses are decorated with flowers and colored powder or rangoli. The floor is designed with the colored powder and earthen lamps are lit and placed on the designs. People wear new clothes and exchange greetings and gifts.

In Tamil Nadu, Dussera is celebrated over 9 days of which the first 3 days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth, the second half is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of arts and knowledge and the last three days are dedicated to Shakti, the goddess of Power and Strength.

Dussera, Tamil Nadu is celebrated over 5 days between the 6th and the 10th day of the waxing moon in the month of Ashwin according to the Bengali calendar which corresponds to the months of September and October.

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