Dussehra is a culmination of the 9 nights, which is called as Navaratri in India. In India, this festival is a grand affair and is celebrated with huge enthusiasm and expectation to be dressed up in the best self.
Dussehra Vijayadashami - A f estival of dolls, Flowers and lamps
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burn the avatar of Ravana
and Kumbakarna which is
a grand affair. Ramlila is
the next major attraction of
Kullu Dusshera. Navaratri in
Maharashtra is celebrated
by dedicating it to goddess
Durga and on the tenth day,
it is dedicated to goddess
Saraswathi. This day is
considered auspicious to
start anything new because
the levels of prosperity is
more.
South India
In Tamil Nadu, the nine
days preceding Dussehra
have been equally divided
for worshipping the three
Goddesses namely Lakshmi
(the first three days are
dedicated to the Goddess
of wealth and prosperity),
Saraswati (the next three
days are dedicated to the
Goddess of learning and
arts) and Durga (the last
three days are dedicated
to the Mother Goddess,
Shakti). The women folks
of all three states of Tamil,
Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh arrange small idols
in their homes. This tradition
is called as ‘Bommai Golu’,
where the artistic depiction
of lords is arranged in steps.
The entire tradition is a
depiction of the stories of
different lords like Krishna’s
, Rama’s success during the
war.
The young members of the
family dress up and invite
guests and sing songs and
perform different kinds of art
forms of their own houses
itself. The steps in which the
dolls are kept are decorated
with beautiful lamps and
flowers.
Foods
There are many food items
that are made on the nine
days of the festival. There is a
palate of things that is offered
to god like Puliyodharai
Saadham(Tamarind rice),
Coconut Rice(Thengai
Saadham), Thayir
Semia(Vermicelli in Yogurt),
Nava Dhaanya(Nine beans
for 9 nights!) Sundal,Ulundhu
Vadai, mixed dal Vel/
Ribbon Pakoda, Rasam,
Papad, Pickle, a Tamil
Nadu special dessert called
Sugian(coconut-Jaggery balls
fried in sweet batter) and a
beverage, Paanagam (Sweet
and tangy non-alcoholic
drink).
Once this is offered to the
almighty, we are free to taste
the dishes done. Since it is
a grand festival, at least 2-3
sweets are available on each
day to mark the importance
and sanctity.
This surely is one of the
festival that gives maximum
importance to the rich Indian
culture and tradition. Having
a galore of cultural and
traditional value, we hope you
celebrate Dussehra in the
happiest way!
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