Dussehra Festival

The festival of Dussehra, marks the triumph of good over the evil.Dussehra is a festival celebrated in varying forms across Nepal and India. It is the largest festival of Nepal, and celebrated by Hindu and non-Hindu Nepalese alike. The history of Dussehra is an ancient one and has its roots in the maha kavya 'Ramayana'.

It is widely believed that the festival actually symbolizes the killing of the great demon king of Lanka, Ravan, by Lord Rama. The epic mentions how Lord Rama, the god-incarnate, went to serve a period of exile for 14 years under the order of his father. Along with his devoted wife Sita and his faithful brother Lakshmana, Rama faced many hardships during this period prominent among which was the abduction of Sita by the ten-headed Ravana. On a similar day as Dussehra in Treta, Ram is said to have killed Ravan, who had abducted his wife Sita.

The festival is celebrated with zest and festivities as it also marks the beginning of the winter season after the long, unbearable, hot summer. Gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers are set aflame amidst bursting of crackers. Fairs are usually held on this occasion with lots to eat, buy and enjoy. Dussehra means the Tenth Day, being the 10th day of the bright half of Ashvin. This day is also known as Vijayadashmi, or the Victory Tenth, because of the victory of Ram over Ravana. Dussehra date keeps on changing every year.

However, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu autumn month of Ashvin or Ashwayuja, and is the grand culmination of the 10-day annual Navaratri festival. The word "Dussehra" can also be interpreted as "Dasa-Hara", which stands for the cutting of the ten heads of Ravana by Lord Rama.