Dusshera Festival, Kota (October)

One of the big festivals celebrated mostly in the northern part of India is Dussehra. The festival is celebrated with high zest and festivities as it also marks the beginning of the winter season after the long unbearable hot summer. Also celebrated in the other parts of the country, all over India, Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over Ravana, & the rescue of his wife Sita. All institutions are closed for the days of the festival. In North India gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana & his brothers are set aflame with a bursting of crackers. Fairs are usually held on this occasion with lots to eat, buy & enjoy.

Dussehra means the Tenth Day, being the 10th day of the bright half of Ashwin. This day is also known as Vijayadashmi, or Victory Tenth, because of the Victory of Rama over Ravana.

Dussehra (tenth day) is one of the significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with much joy and happiness in the entire country. The occasion marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana, the victory of good over evil. Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various facets of Rama's life are taken out. On the tenth day, the Vijayadasami day, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are placed in vast open spaces. Rama, accompanied by his consort Sita and his brother Lakshman, arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with explosive material. The result is a deafening blast, enhanced by the shouts of merriment and triumph from the spectators.