Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is being celebrated in the Hindu culture for centuries. In fact, it falls on the tenth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin. In other words, after nine days of Navaratri, the tenth day is Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
Staging Ram Leela and burning effigy of demon king Ravana are the synonymous with the celebration of the Dussehra. Why these things have all along been integral parts of Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami?
Vijaya Dashami is the combination of two words ‘Vijay’ and ‘Dashami’. ‘Vijay’ means victory and ‘Dashami’ means tenth. Similarly, Dussehra is also a combination of two words ‘Dus’ and ‘Hera’. ‘Dus’ refers to ten and ‘Hara’ refers to ‘defeat’. And, according to Hindu mythology, demon king Ravan had ten heads.
According to Ramayana, there was a ten-day long fierce battle between Lord Rama and Lanka king Ravana. Ravana, the demon king, had abducted Devi Sita, the beloved wife of Lord Ram. It was when Ravan refused to release Devi Sita despite several efforts, Lord Rama had to announce a war against Ravana.
Leading a huge army including Hanuman, Sugrib and Jambaban, Ram and Laxman attacked Lanka and a battle ensued between Ram and Ravana. On the tenth day of the battle, Lord Ram killed Ravana.
This is why Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra is also called a festival symbolising the victory of good over evil.
This is why Ram Leela is staged and effigy of Ravan is burnt on the occasion of Dussehra in most parts of the country.
Another belief associated to the celebration of Dussehra is that after nine days of fierce battle, Goddess Durga killed Buffalo Demon Mahishasura.
PNN