Dussehra 2022: History, Significance & Rituals
Dussehra denotes the victory of good over evil and there are two stories that are associated with the festival in Hindu mythology.
Dussehra or Vijayadashmi, for the year 2022, will be celebrated on October 05 (Wednesday) with much fervor and zeal.
The Hindu festival is observed on Shukla Paksha Dashmi during the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu lunar calendar and a day after Maha Navami or at the end of Shardiya Navratri.
It is said that it was on this day that Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura after a fierce battle lasting for more than nine days. In many parts of the country, it is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, Ravana.
Significance and rituals
More common in North Indian states and Karnataka is the term – Dussehra, while the term Vijayadashami is more popular in West Bengal.
In North India, Dussehra is celebrated with much fanfare and Ram Lila, an enactment of Lord Rama’s story, is organized on all nine days of Navratri culminating with the killing of Ravana and burning of his life-size effigy on the day of Dussehra or Vijayadashami along with those of Meghnad and Kumbhakaran. Dussehra also signifies getting rid of sins or bad qualities as each head of the Ravana symbolizes one bad quality.
Dussehra for many means beginning preparation for Diwali, which is celebrated 20 days after Vijayadashami, the day when Lord Rama reached Ayodhya with Sita.
Worshipping the Shami tree on the day of Vijayadashami holds great significance in some parts of the country as it is believed that Arjun hid his weapons inside the Shami tree during his exile. Shami Puja is also known as Banni Puja and Jammi Puja in some of the southern states in India.
Muhurat for Durga Visarjan
On Dashami, devotees also bid adieu to Maa Durga and the visarjan is done either during Aparahna time or Pratahkala while Dashami Tithi is prevailing.
Date
In 2022, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 5th, 2022. On this same occasion, Bengalis observe Bijoya Dashmi, which marks the tenth day of Durga Puja.
Time
Dashmi tithi begins at 02:20 PM on October 4, 2022
Dashmi tithi ends at 12:00 PM on October 05, 2022
History
There are many mythological stories behind this festival. This day in some parts of India signifies the day on which Goddess Durga Killed Mahishasur.
That is how all the nine avatars of Goddess Durga are worshipped in the Navratri.
The mythology also says that Goddess Durga should be immersed in water with the devotees, signifying the departure of Goddess Durga.
In south India, the Dussehra festival is observed as the day when Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura.
Significance
Dussehra is the festival of the victory of good over evil. This festival signifies those wrongdoings on some of the other days that come in front of everyone.
So, Dussehra is considered a day for starting new businesses or new investments.
For South Indian people, admitting young children to schools is considered auspicious on this day.
Also Read: Durga Puja Festival 2022