Dashahr
Description:
Idols of the Goddess Gori, mother of the elephant-headed Hindu God Ganesh
Dashahra is one of the most popular and colorful Hindu festivals celebrated in the month of Ashvin (September-October) for 10 days, of which 9 nights are devoted to worship (hence comes another name of the holiday - Navaratri, i.e. "Feast of nine nights"), and the tenth day is celebrated as the day of worship of Devi, which is personified as Shakti, Durga (hence there is another name of the holiday - Durga puja, or Durgotsav), Kali, Parvati, Lakvati and Saravati.
Each region of India celebrates this holiday in its own way.
In Northern India (especially in Uttar Pradesh) Dashahra is celebrated as Vijay Dashahra, i.e. as the day of the victory of God Rama over the demon King of Lanka Ravana, the victory of good over evil. According to legend, Rama fasted for seven days and prayed to the warrior goddess Durga, and she gave him victory - on the eighth day he killed the demon Ravana. On the ninth day, offering thanks to the Goddess, Rama went back with friends and his wife Sita, whom he freed from captivity. In honor of these events, mass dances and theatrical performances dedicated to the exploits of Rama - "ramlillas" are arranged, excerpts from the "Ramayana" are read, and at the end of the holiday after the solemn procession, the stuffed Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghanad are burned. In Delhi, this holiday takes place on the largest square of the city of Ramlila Ground with a huge confluence of people.
In Bengal and other eastern states of India, Dashahr is celebrated as the festival of the Goddess Durga. Nine days believers offer her prayers, and on the tenth garlanded image of the Goddess accompanied by a procession of believers take to the shore of the sea, river or reservoir, after which the men lift him on his shoulders and immerse him in water.
In South India, Dashahr is called Navaratra. It is dedicated to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, each of whom is worshipped for three days.
On the occasion of the holiday, it is customary to visit relatives and friends, bring them gifts and congratulations.