Q:
A: Every festival has its own importance. Dusserah, also known as Vijaya Dashami is the festival, which is unique and of great significance. The actual name is Dussehera. Dus in Sanskrit means 10 and as per Hindu calender the day is known as Dashmi. Vijaya means victory and Dashami means tenth, so Vijaya Dashami is the other name of Dusserah, victory on the tenth. This festival falls on Aswin Shuki tenth. Lord Rama invaded Sri Lanka on this day and came out victorious. This day has been recognized auspicious to defeat an enemy. According to astrology, that period, before the rise of stars on Aswin Shuki tenth, is 'Vijaya'. That awards Siddhi (Supernatural powers) to all deeds. Before this tenth day is widow night, which is pure. The sunrise after this is the most superior. Vijaya Dashami is a national festival of India. Prominently this is a festival of the Kshatriyas. Public, in general observe this as Ram Lila. For first nine days (Nava Ratri) of Shuki Paksh, Rama Lila is performed. On the tenth (Vijay Dashami) day. Lord Rama is taken out in a procession on a be jewelled chariot all over the streets. This day is still more lucky, if one happens to have a glance at Neel Kanth (a small eagle of blue colour). Any king, who celebrates this festival every year, against victory over his enemies with all his horses, elephants and carriers; all weapons and armour, all family members and attendants, he goes out of town and worships Gods and then pervades his enemy or his effigy, backed by enchantment of Vedic hymns, such a king is always victorious. Lord Rama was the seventh incarnation of Visnu. He was born during Treta Yuga, on the ninth of the light half of the month of Chetr (March-April) in the city of Ayodhaya, with Dashrath as his father and Kaushalaya as the mother. At the first dawn of intelligence, he acquired much learning and withdrawing from all worldly pursuits, set out journeying through wilds and gave a fresh beauty to his life by visiting holy shrines. As the tradition says, when Ravan captured Sita and took her to Lanka, Ram invaded Lanka to bring Sita back. Before fighting with Ravan, Ram invoked Goddess Durga who is considered the Goddess of Power (Shakti) to help him in his quest to defeat Ravan. This invokation continued for 9 days and on the 10th day he killed Ravan. So the 10th day is celebrated as Dussehera. It symbolises the victory of Good over evil.