6 Dussehra Stories From India
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| Six Dussehra Stories |
Six Dussehra Stories That Will Make You Reflect On The Meaning Of The Festival
- Story no. 1:
Dussehra is
the festival celebrated to commemorate the victory of Ram over the ten-headed
king of Rakshasas or Devils, Ravana. This is probably the most popular story
all Indians associate with the Dussehra festival. When Sita was abducted by
Ravana, Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana, his follower Hanuman and an
army of ape-men, waged a war against Ravana.
The conflict
culminated with the defeat of Ravana and his death in the war. This happened on
the day of Dussehra. It is this occasion that people celebrate by burning
effigies of Ravana. It is said that before leaving Lanka, Rama had prayed to
Durga for his victory. Durga, who is associated with Shakti, had blessed Rama.
- Story no. 2:
Another
story that is associated with Dussehra is the one about Durga vanquishing the
Rakshas or Devil Mahishasur. When Mahishasur wreaked havoc and had defeated all
gods, Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva combined their powers and created Shakti in the
form of Durga to destroy Mahishasur. The victory of Durga over Mahishasur is
celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.
After the
three-day celebration of the Durga puja, the fourth day is celebrated as
Vijayadashami. This is the last day of Durga puja when idols of Durga are
consigned to water.
- Story no. 3:
A
lesser-known story that is associated with Dussehra is that of the Pandavas. After the Pandavas lost the
game of dice to the Kauravas, they
were exiled for 13 years. During the final year of their exile, the Pandava had
to live in hiding.
Before they
left the forest, they hid their powerful weapons under a Shami tree so that no
one could find them. When they returned after a year, it was they found their
weapons lying under the tree untouched. The Pandavas declared war on the
Kauravas soon after this and won the battle against them.
Since then
the exchange of Shami leaves has become a custom among people as it symbolizes
goodwill and victory. In many parts of the country, people worship the Shami
tree on Dussera.
- Story no. 4:
According to
another story, in Ayodhya, there lived a boy called Kautsa, the son of a
Brahmin called Devdutt, who had pursued his education from Rishi Varatantu.
When it was time to pay his Guru Dakshina, the rishi asked him for 140 gold
coins. Unable to pay his guru Dakshina, Kautsa requested the King to help him.
Kautsa's
wish was answered when Kuber (the God of wealth) showered gold coins from the
sky near the Apati tree. Kautsa collected the gold coins and gave his Guru
Dakshina. The remaining coins were distributed to the poor in the days of Dussehra.
Since that day, people have offered leaves of the Apati tree to each other
considering them to be a symbol of gold.
- Story no. 5:
The festival
of Dussehra also marks the beginning of the war. It is said that in ancient
times, Kings used this festival to cross borders and fight against their
neighboring enemies. This custom was known as Simollanghan.
- Story no. 6:
The
celebration of Dussehra in India, however, started in the 17th century when the
King of Mysore had ordered the celebration of the occasion on a large scale.
Since then, the festival of Dussehra has been celebrated with great pomp and
enthusiasm. This festival is symbolic as it enables people to overcome their
fears and celebrate the victory of good over evil.
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