New Delhi: Dussehra or Vijayadashmi is one of the popular Indian festivals that takes place in the months of Ashwin and kartik.
Hindus observe a 10 day ceremony of fast, celebrations and rituals to honor the victory of Lord Rama over demon and evil power Ravana.
Dussehra also symbolizes the victory of Mother Goddess Durga over the demon that takes the shape of a buffalo, Mahishasura. Thus, it is a celebration of victory of good over the evil.
This celebration starts from Navratri and ends with the tenth day festival of “Dussehra”.
This festival is celebrated in varied manner all over the country. In Delhi it is known as Ram Lila, in West Bengal it is known as Durga Puja, in Mysore it is Dasara, in Gujarat the festival is known as ‘‘Navaratri' and perhaps the most celebrated festival of the country. Here I have listed the major Dussehra capitals in India.
Top 10 Dussehra capitals of India:
Durga Puja, Kolkata
Durga is the most waited and celebrated festival of west Bengal, especially in Kolkata. Considered as the Mother of all celebrations,
Durga Puja is an event that transforms the whole city and sees frantic activity round the clock.
Over crowded streets, huge pandals, minarets, domes, mountain cliffs, and magnificent lighting depicting current scenario or current affairs make the 4 days of Durga Pujo in Kolkata an unforgettable event.
Navaratri, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Gujarat is one of the best places to enjoy Navratri. The atmosphere is full of revelry.
Throughout Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with joy and religious fevour. This festival is essentially religious in nature.
It is celebrated with utmost devotion in several temples dedicated to the Mother.
The images of mother are also worshiped in several homes. Gujarat is the only state that holds a nine night dance festival ‘Rasa-Garbas','
Dandia ras', perhaps the longest in the world. People flock each night to celebrate the power of Shakti.
Durga Puja, Mumbai
Durga puja is organized by Bengali Goldsmiths every year in Mumbai, making it a very big budget affair.
Today there are more than 100 Sarbojonin Durga Puja held across Mumbai and its sprawling suburbs.
Santa Cruz Vashi, Andheri, RK Mission at Khar are some of the prominent places in the city that evidenced glorious Durga Puja every year.
