VIJAYDASHMI OR DUSSEHRA

Today is the tenth tithi of Ashwin Mass of shukla paksha and the moon is in shrawan nakshatra. According to Ramayana, Ram worshipped Duga puja to get the blessings of Maa Durga to kill Ravana. Ravana was the 10 headed demon. He kidnapped Lord Rama's wife Sita to Lanka. Lord Ram with the help of his brother Lakshaman and Hanuman, rescued Sita from Lanka. Dassehra indicates the triumph of Lord Ram's victory. After conquering Lanka, Ram returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshaman on this day called Dasshera. It also depicts the end of Navratri, the festival of nine nights. It is considered very auspicious in India. Navratri. "Nav" means nine and "ratri" means nights, therefore the word "Navratri"and Dassehra means the Tenth Day, of the bright half of Ashwin.
On Vijayadashmi, the idols of Goddess Durga are immersed into water, after the nine days of festivities. It is believed that the people of eastern state of West Bengal adopted Durga as their daughter and thus, she comes to the home of her parents every year, during the last four days of Navratri, along with her sons Ganesha and Kartikeya, and daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati and then she finally goes to her husband's place on Vijayadashmi.

THE BURNING OF THE EFFIGY OR STATUE OF RAVANA
On Dassehra, the celebration of good over evil is shown by burning the effigy of Ravana. The statue of the 10 headed demon Ravana is made of wood, hay etc with fireworks inside. The celebrations begin around sunset. Families and friends gather in the evening and then the statue is set on fire. People shoot arrows on the effigy. The effigy burns up with a huge display of fireworks, which is an exciting event for kids and adults also.

RAM LEELA
In all parts of India "Ram Leela" is performed which tells the stories from the Ramayana. These stories are about Hanuman, his burning tail, Ravana's abduction of Sita, Ram's victory over Ravana and the rescue of Sita.

VICTORY OF DURGA OVER MAHISURA
There are also some other stories related to Dussehra. Goddess Durga represents two forms of female energy - one mild and protective and the other fierce and destructive. One story represents this day as a celebration of the victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura and how she came about. The gods in heaven decided to create an all-powerful being to kill the demon king Mahishasur who was ready to attack them. With a stream of lightning from the mouths of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, a beautiful, magnificent woman with ten hands was created. Then all the gods equipped her with their special weapons. She then destroyed King Mahishasur.

Dhaumya rishi's son, Mahaar married Shami, daughter of Aarva rishi, of Malwa. After marriage both were going to take the blessings of Shaunak rishi. On the way they met Bhrachundi rishi who had a trunk on his head. Seeing this they started making fun of him. The rishi got angry and cursed them to turn into trees. For succor both prayed to Ganeshji. He blessed them that they would be offered worship from the people. Since then people offer pujan to the Mahaar tree and Shami. This pujan is considered to be as fruitful as Shiv's pujan.
It is also believed that on this day, Arjun picked up his weapons hidden in the Shami tree, to battle with Duryodhan in order to retrieve Virat Raja's cows from him.

RITUALS PERFORM ON DUSSEHRA
• People offer pujan to weapons and vehicles.
• People embark on all forms of auspicious ventures on this day, without the need to consider the auspicious time in the 'panchaang.'
• Students offer pujan to Saraswati, the goddess of learning.

BHOG FOR DUSSEHRA
• Traditionally, 'jalebi' and 'fafda' with 'chutney' are first offered to Lord and then devotees avail of this Prasad.
• These food items balance the 'pitta'. During and after Bhadarva, 'pitta' usually increases, which leads to various illnesses. Therefore the above foods of sugar and ghee balance 'pitta'.
• Farmers and artisans too worship their respective implements or instruments.

HOW TO PERFORM PUJA TODAY
Today the day is considered as the day for worshipping Maa Aparajita. She is believed as the Maa of all Maa Navdurgas. According to Rishi Ved Vyas “she is most worshipped Devi from all the Gods including Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh in all over the universe. She also killed Shumbha and Nishumbha demons on this day. So today is the day for worshiping power. Ii is very auspicious to see the neelkantha today.
• Face the north-east direction or lshan korna and make ashtadal with sandal and kumkum and worship Maa Aparajita Jaya and Vijaya.
• Recite the following mantra----
Om jayanti mangla kali bhadrakali kapalini,
Durga kshama shiva dhatri swaha swadha namostute
• Read Devi sukta and Saptasati
• To offer puja to Lord Shri Ram recite Ramarakshastrotra and read Ramayana.
• It is very beneficial to see Ram’s charanpaduka and worship him on Dussehra.
• Offer shodshopchar puja to him.
TO WARD OFF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS FROM YOUR LIFE
• Ramrakshastrotra Anushthan - Shri Ramrakshastrotra mantra works as medicine to ward off all the problems like financial, health, business, home or any other problem of your life. It works rapidly.
Write Ram on a peepal tree leaf and put some sweet and place it in the Hanuman temple. It will bring back your money if it is stopped somewhere and you will get all the good results of your hard work. You will be blessed with peace, happiness and wealth. Although Dussehra is celebrated in different ways across India, the motive remains the same - to spread good cheer and celebrate the victory of good over the evil

About Author
Jyotishacharya Vinay Sheel Saxena "Bajrangi" “Bhagya Samhita wale” is a well known indian Vedic Astrologer Horoscope reader and Vastu expert and provides best vedic astrology solutions, vastu remedies, astrology forecast, Horoscope matching and other astrological solutions.