Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is one of the major Hindu festivals that is celebrated all across India at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the month of Ashwin or Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar.
In the northern and western states of the subcontinent, the festival is known as Dussehra. In these regions, it marks the end of Ramlila and celebrates lord Rama’s victory over the demon king, Ravana.
On the very same occasion, Arjuna alone decimated more than 1,000,000 soldiers and defeated all Kuru warriors
This traditional practice was even recognized as one of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2008. It describes the festival as being celebrated through songs, narration, recital and dialogue based on the text "Ramcharitramanas" by Tulsidas.
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In east India, the festival is observed as Vijaya Dashami. It is marked by clay statues being carried towards a water body for a farewell to goddess Durga. Bengali women mark their faces with vermilion (sindoor) on this day and wear some red clothing. The statue is immersed in water and the goddess is believed to have returned to Mount Kailasha with lord Shiva.
In north India, Vijayadashami follows the festival of Dashain. Youngsters visit the elders in their family, distant ones come to their native homes, and students visit their school teachers. The elders and teachers welcome the youngsters, mark their foreheads with tika and bless them.
Puja Vidhi and Mantra of Vijayadashami:
Aparajita Puja is the main part of Vijay Dashmi for the worshippers. Aparajita Puja is performed during Aparahan Kaal. The Puja Vidhi is given below:
1. Find a pious and auspicious place to worship in the Northeast direction from your home. It can be the vicinity of a temple, garden, etc. It will be great if the entire family can be involved in the Puja.
2. Clean the area and make Ashtadal Chakra (the ring of 8 lotus petals) with Sandalwood paste.
3. Now, take Sankalp that you are performing this Puja of Goddess Aparajita for the welfare of your family and yourself.
4. After that, invoke Goddess Aparajita in the centre of the Chakra with this Mantra: "अपराजिताय नमः"
Now, on her right invoke Goddess Jaya with the Mantra: "क्रियाशक्त्यै नमः "
5. On her left, invoke Goddess Vijaya with the Mantra: "उमायै नमः "
6. After that, perform Shodashopchar Puja with the name Mantras:
"अपराजिताय नमः, जयायै नमः, विजयायै नमः //"
Now, pray - O Goddess, I have performed the Puja rituals as per my ability, kindly accept it before departing.As the Puja is over now, perform Namaskar.
Perform Visarjan with the Mantra:
"हारेण तु विचित्रेण भास्वत्कनकमेखला।
अपराजिता भद्ररता करोतु विजयं मम।/"
May this Dussehra burn all your worries with Ravana and bring you and your family loads of happiness.
Happy Dussehra.
THANK YOU
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