Dassera celebrations

Dassera, is a festival celebrated in different parts of India, marks the conquest of good over evil.

There are many legends of the festival - Some trace it to Ramayana - on this day Rama (beleived by many as God, in a nutshell the Hero of this epic ;-)) killed the demon Ravana (anti hero of the epic)and achieved a triumphant victory over the demons. Rama worshipped Goddess Durga just before the battle with the demon Ravana started. Rama worshipped Shami tree on this day just before proceeding to Ayodhya.

Then some trace it 2 Mahabharata, the second pillar of Indian mythology, where Pandavas (5 heroes of their times) spent thirteen years in exile. During the last year of Agnyaat-vaas (living incognito), they had hidden their arms in the Shami tree. This is the day, their agnynat-vaas was over and they had taken out their arms from the Shami tree and revealed their identity. That marked their preparation for the victorious war of Kurukshetra. Invoking these inspiring memories, theShami tree is worshipped on this day.

well here's 1 more legend - Demon Mahishasura performed severe penance and became immortal and ruler of all three worlds; heaven, earth and the nether-world. Gods became powerless. As per Lord Vishnu‛s advice, they parted with a portion of their divine powers to form into a new physical form – Goddess Mahishasura Mardini. Literally “Mahishasura Mardini” means destroyer of Mahishasura. Thus Goddess Mahishasura Mardini took a physical form as the combined might of all Gods. She killed the demon Mahishasura after a ceaseless fight of nine days and nights.

Thats what i call choice ;-)

With legendary differences, celebrations also has 2 vary.

So there are places where Ram Leela (i.e., enactment of Ramayana) takes place in public places for 9 good days and it's a delight to watch the enthusiasm of performers and the viewers.
Some people keep toys at home (typically people from Tamilnadu and Karnataka) which is decorated in steps, each of it narrating a story.
Some people worship the things that earn them bread and help their living (one can call it the thanksgiving day of India)..
some people buy gold or property (moveable or immovable), invest as it is beleived to be auspicious...
some people worship books and kids start their education frm this day
some dance in traditional way (called gharba or dandiya) n often commercialised and popularised by celebrities

the list may sound endless..but the key thing that binds it, is the spirit that is electrifying, the blend of culture n co-existence n a visual treat as one can feel and see the joy transcends into many lives.

how culd v miss the band wagon...we had a party at ajay n deepa's place in our own special way..a very well chalked rangoli, lighting of diyas, the traditional kurtas (4 men) n sarees (4 women)..puri shrikhand, sheera fusion of celebration and an absolute unmatched spirit.

Fotos 2 feast