Dussehra, which also marks the end of scorching summer and heralding of winter, is preceded by nine auspicious days of Navaratri during which devotees pray, fast and feast. Ramlilas, vivid enactments from the life of Lord Rama, were staged in large parts of the country during the nine days preceding the festival.
Amid beating of drums, frenziedly dancing devotees also bid adieu to Goddess Durga as she returned to her celestial abode, at the end of her three-day sojourn on earth, as against usual four-day, with the Navami and Dashami falling on the same day.
Hundreds of idols of Goddess Durga, which had adorned the marquees, were immersed in holy rivers amidst chants of ‘aasche bochchor abar hobe' (it will happen again next year).
A number of fairs were held on the occasion of Dussehra which also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura.
