DussehraDussehra By: Lidia Avvakoumova, Andrea Chiu, Donna Wang, Karissa Chan

What is Dussehra? Celebrated in the month of Avshina (September-October period) Celebrates the victory of good over evil Starts from Navrati (a nine-day festival); the 10 th day afterwards is Dussehra

Origin of the Festival Based on a popular Hindu epic called Ramayana: The demon Ravana abducts Sita, the wife of ten- headed Lord Rama Rama travels for 9 days to Ravana’s kingdom to rescue Sita

Origin cont’d On his way he seeks the blessings of Goddess Durga He defeats Ravana on the 10 th day, which is celebrated as Dussehra Did you know? Dussehra comes from “Dus” meaning “ten”, and “Hara” meaning “annihilated”.

Festivities Celebrated by special prayers and puja of the deities Communities host large parades and fairs with singing and dancing. On the 10 th day of celebration effigies of Lord Ravana are burned, the highlight of the festival. Dussehra often marks a new journey in the lives of Hindus

Special Dress Women Colorful saris, lehenga cholis, salwaar suits, as well as flowers, jewellery and Tikka (red mark on forehead).

Special Dress Vermillion (red) is worn by married women Unmarried girls adorn themselves with light jewellery, bindis (forehead jewellery) etc.

Special Dress Men Colourful traditional hindu clothing: Sherwani, Lungi, Kurta Colourful headdresses such as turbans

Food It is customary to have traditional food preparations. Common ones throughout India: Badam Kheer, Besan Burfi, Moong Dal Halwa, Kachori, Jalebi, Paneer Pakora, Radbi and Sandesh

Food Cont’d The recipes and dishes have evolved over time since the low-calorie/healthier versions are more popular. Snacks eaten throughout the day Sweets and prasada are eaten after prayer and when Ravana is burned.

Rituals 9 days of celebrations during Dussehra which mainly involve the puja of Goddess Durga in homes and temples Nine days and nights dedicated to worshipping divine energy force and power (given off by Durga) Fasting, vegetarian diets, chanting mantras and religious hymns, praying, meditating and reciting of sacred texts

Rituals Cont’d Community festivities have singing, dancing,and dramatic re- enactments of the tale Ramlila - a personification of the life of Lord Rama. Huge paper or wood effigies of 'Ravana', his son 'Meghnad' and brother 'Kumbhakarna' are set on fire on the 10 th day

THE END Happy Dussehra!