DUSSEHRA
Dussehra Elsewhere
:
Dussehra is celebrated on a
grand scale in West Bengal, particularly in Calcutta.Large images of the ten-armed
Durga standing triumphantly atop the vanquished Mahishasura, are erected all over the
city. The goddess is decked in dazzling splendor and worshipped for nine days. On the
ninth day, the images are taken in procession and immersed ceremoniously in a river.
 Dussehra in North India is celebrated, for another cause, to mark Rama's
victory over Ravana. To mark the fall of Ravana, towering models of the ten-headed Ravana,
Meghanath and Kumbhakarna, stuffed with crackers are erected and torched by an arrow,
amidst wild cheering by the crowds in Delhi's sprawling Ramleela grounds.
Mahishasuramardhani,
Chamundeswari as is called in Karnataka is worshipped with devotion. On
Maharnavami, selected weapons, the state elephant and the state horse are worshipped.
Chandi Homa is performed in honor of Chandi (Kalika Devi).
 Dussehra in Mysore is a spectacular occasion
to be seen. It is quite matural for anyone to be struck with the thoughts of Mysore on
Dussehra. Mysore palace, built on the lines of Buckingham Palace of London, is seen
pompously lit during Navaratri. In the days of yore, the King of Mysore, held a
spectacular Darbar at the end of the day's rituals, for seven days.
Even today, the crowning
glory of the festival here, no wonder remains to be The Royal procession with the
caparisoned elephants. The Maharaja of Mysore, dressed in traditional regalia, went in
procession in the State in the golden howdah (a seating arrangement on the elephant's
back) on his royal elephant. But now, after the abolition of royal titles, the statue of
Chamundeshwari is being carried in procession. However the procession still is organised
by the Royal family.
In Gujarat, the
people celebrate Navaratri by dancing the traditional Garbha and Dandia dances with an
ethnic gaiety and fun.
The celebrations are now
even extended to Hyderabad. |
