Happy Dussehra

Vijayadashami, also known as Dasara, Dashain, or Dussehra, is a Hindu festival that occurs yearly at the end of Navaratri. The Hindu calendar takes place on the tenth day of Ashvin, a seventh month on the Gregorian calendar that generally falls between the months of September and October.

Vijayadashami is observed differently throughout the Indian subcontinent and celebrated differently for different reasons. As the end of Durga Puja approaches in states in the south, east, northeast, and some northern parts of India, it commemorates goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, to protect and restore the dharma. Dussehra is synonymous with festivals in northern, central, and western states. It commemorates Rama's victory over Ravana and marks the end of Ramlila. Alternatively, it represents the worship of Durga or Saraswati, which are aspects of Devi.

A typical Vijayadashami celebration involves a procession along a river or oceanfront carrying clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. After they have been immersed in the water for dissolution, the statues are immersed again in the river. During Dasara, towering effigies of Ravana, symbolic of evil, are burned with fireworks. Diwali, the festival of lights that follows Vijayadashami twenty days later, is also prepared during the festival.

Art Smiley wishes you the prosperous and divine Dussehra festival to brighten up your life.