DussehraDussehraDussehraDussehraBy: Lidia Avvakoumova,

Andrea Chiu, Donna Wang, Karissa Chan

What is Dussehra?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 10th day afterwards is Dussehra

Origin of the FestivalOrigin of the FestivalBased on a popular Hindu epic called

Ramayana:The demon Ravana abducts Sita, the

wife of ten-headed Lord RamaRama travels for 9 days to Ravana’s

kingdom to rescue Sita

Origin cont’dOrigin cont’d

On his way he seeks the blessings of Goddess Durga

He defeats Ravana on the 10th day, which is celebrated as Dussehra

Did you know?Dussehra comes from “Dus” meaning “ten”, and “Hara” meaning “annihilated”.

FestivitiesFestivitiesCelebrated by special prayers and puja

of the deities Communities host large parades and

fairs with singing and dancing.On the 10th 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 DressSpecial Dress

WomenColorful saris, lehenga cholis, salwaar suits, as well as flowers, jewellery and Tikka (red mark on forehead).

Special DressSpecial DressVermillion (red) is

worn by married women

Unmarried girls adorn themselves with light jewellery, bindis (forehead jewellery) etc.

Special DressSpecial Dress

MenColourful traditional hindu clothing: Sherwani, Lungi, KurtaColourful headdresses such as turbans

Food 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’dFood Cont’d

The recipes and dishes have evolved over time since the low-calorie/healthier versions are more popular.

Snacks eaten throughout the daySweets and prasada are eaten

after prayer and when Ravana is burned.

RitualsRituals9 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’dRituals Cont’dCommunity 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 10th day

THE ENDTHE ENDHappy Dussehra!