THE FESTIVAL OF DUSSEHRA:

The tenth day of Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra. This day denotes the triumph of Lord
Ram over Ravana.

Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Vijay Muhurat - 01:41 PM to 02:28 PM

Bengal Vijayadashami on Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Aparahna Puja Time - 12:54 PM to 03:15 PM

Dashami Tithi Begins - 12:38 PM on Oct 07, 2019

Dashami Tithi Ends - 02:50 PM on Oct 08, 2019

Shravana Nakshatra Begins - 05:26 PM on Oct 07, 2019

Shravana Nakshatra Ends - 08:13 PM on Oct 08, 2019

Legends associated with Dusshera:

Legend has it that Ravana- the powerful ruler was from the heredity of Lord Brahma.
Satisfied by His insight, commitment, and His repentance Lord Shiva favored him with
near eternality. There is a lesser-known side to this story as well. Ravana, viewed as one
of the principal among scholarly men of His time, realized that His destruction would be
on account of a commendable divine vitality. Lord Ram was an Avatar of Lord Vishnu and
ruler Hanuman was an Avatar of Lord Shiva. Togethe r they were unfathomable and this
prompted Ravana's defeat. Dussehra likewise denotes the killing of the evil spirit
Mahishasura by Devi Durga. Following 9 sacred evenings of Navratri, new brilliant dawn
denotes the heavenly day of Dussehra.

Observance across India:

Dussehra is the time to clean, plaster and whitewash their houses and generally arrange
everything in order. It is the occasion when people decorate the entrance of their houses
with torans and flower-studded strings.

The ritual of Vidyarambham is widely practiced in South India and sees little children
getting ceremonially initiated into the learning of alphabets.
In West Bengal, Dussehra is the final day of the ten -day Durga Puja celebration and is
known as Vijaya Dashami. Beautiful clay idols of Goddess Durga and her children – Lord
Ganesh, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati are set up inside
Pandals and worshipped from 6th day onwards. On the 10th day, Vijaya Dashami, these
are taken out in grand processions. This ritual is known as Durga Nimajjan or Durga
Visarjan in other parts of India and is the last day of Durga Navratri. It is also the day
when married women play with vermilion (Sindoor), an act known as Sindoor Khela and is
observed only in West Bengal. On this day, married Bengali women play with vermilion
(sindoor) among themselves. For the members of the Bengali community, it is an occasion
which builds up a cordial atmosphere.
Another tradition on Dussehra is to worship all the weapons, tools, instruments, pens,
pencils and other articles that are a means of fighting injustice, ignorance, and evil. These
items are placed in front of the Gods. A paper is decorated with 'Aipun' and 'Swastik' that
is reminiscent of the Aryan origin of the inhabitants of India. The elde st member of the
family then writes on this paper:

Uttar ka Ghoda, Dakshin ka neer

Paschim ka Varda, Purav ka cheer
The above-mentioned verse is about the famous things obtained from the four corners of
India and it focuses on children's attention. The names of all those assembled are then
added onto the paper. It would be better if everybody signs it, as it is a record of the
people present during the Puja that year. The month, date and year are added to the
paper and it is glued on with atta (dough) near the Gods.

A Grand Celebration:
On Dussehra, usually a grand lunch or dinner is arranged for the sons -in-law and the
daughters of the family. The daughter brings a 'teeka', which is akin to Raksha Bandhan
or Bhai Dooj observances except that in Dussehra there is no presentation of money by
the brothers. This is a day for total unrestricted enjoyment for all.
On this day, all articles that are used for the progress and prosperity of mankind are
worshipped. For artisans across North India, it is the time to polish the instruments of
their profession. All vehicles like cars, trucks, and buses are also worshipped by the
individuals who use them. On Dussehra morning, drivers clean and polish their vehicles
with great solemnity and perform Puja of their vehicles . A Swastika is drawn with roli,
aipun, and rice on the already cleaned and polished vehicle. The ritual is observed even
in the armed forces, police and paramilitary organizations.
In spite of the fact that the nine days of Navratri are committed to Navdu rgas, a lesser-
realized truth is that the tenth day called Dussehra/Vijayadashami is especially honored
by Vijaya Lakshmi. So brilliant is her structure and unbounded beauty that anyone who
summons her on this day is known to encounter fortune and plenitud e.

Recommended Rudraksha:
The 7 Mukhi Rudraksha (Seven Mukhi Rudraksha) blessed by Goddess Lakshmi is
believed to bless a person with wealth, prosperity and abundanc e. While wearing the
Laxmi Wealth Pendant around the neck, one should also keep two beads of 7 Mukhi
Rudraksha in the Cash Box, locker or purse to attract the blessings and grace of Goddess
Mahalaxmi. Wearing this Rudraksha with the 16 Mukhi Rudraksha (Six teen Mukhi
Rudraksha) or 10 Mukhi Rudraksha (Ten Mukhi Rudraksha) on Dussehra is likewise
propitious. Wearing a Rudraksha while taking an interest in Puja and recalling Lord Ram
is said to give the wearer positive vitality. Gifting a power blend of Rudraks ha to your
friends and family to carry on with an existence of effortlessness and respect is likewise
extremely promising.

The 16 Mukhi Rudraksha known as Jai Rudraksha is blessed by Lord Ram. The 11 Mukhi
is likewise blessed by Lord Hanuman. Wearing these Rudraksha on Dussehra is
considered incredibly propitious. Individuals additionally wear a combination of 9, 10 and
11 Mukhi Rudraksha as a powerful combination by the Navdurgas, 10 Avatars of Lord
Vishnu and Lord Hanuman.
The Laxmi W ealth Pendant is made with 7 Mukhi Rudraksha attracts wealth, abundance,
prosperity and success in any endeavor one takes on. It is believed the bead helps one
overcome financial struggles and worry and provides insight and wisdom to navigate
through the path of success.
The 7 Mukhi hanging is a combination made with Sphatik beads and one bead of 7 Mukhi
Rudraksha. The 7 Mukhi Rudraksha blessed by Goddess Mahalaxmi is believed to bring
in wealth and bestow prosperity.
The Ganesh Laxmi Bandh is made of two beads of 7 Mukhi Rudraksha and one bead of
Ganesh Rudraksha. It is blessed by both Goddess Mahalaxmi - the Goddess of wealth and
Lord Ganesha- the Lord of overcoming obstacles and is believed to bring in a wealth and
prosperity.

The Wealth bracelet is made with three beads of 7 Mukhi Rudraksha and strung along
with 5 Mukhi Indonesian beads and black stone. Represented by Goddess Laxmi, the
Goddess of wealth bestows the person with financial gains, growth and stability. It helps
to overcome financial difficulties and struggles, and protects the wearer from any kind of
misfortunes or failures. It attracts abundance, success and prosperity.
Kali Netra Pendant is a 9 Mukhi Rudraksha believed to provide energy, dynamism and
makes it wearer fearless. It is said to be good for career oriented women and is known to
be good for the stomach, body pains and skin allergies. It is said to increase devotion
towards God and is believed to be beneficial in removing Kaal -Sarpa Dosha. This pendant
is made in 22 carat hallmark gold pendant.

Recommended Online Puja:

If you cannot perform the Puja at your home, we provide Online Puja at your convenience.
You can opt for the following Puja services –
Dusshera Puja: Different manifestations of Devi Durga are worshipped during the nine -
day long Navratri festival each year. The tenth day is dedicated to Durga as
Vijayadashami. The divine feminine energy is worshipped as Shakti and celebra ted during
the festival. The celebration ends with Dussehra on the tenth day, when the idol of Devi
Durga is immersed in a river or a lake. The day also marks the end of Durga Puja, where
people revel and recount Devi Durga’s victory over Mahishasur, thus restoring the
balance of Dharma.

Vijayadashami is also the day that marks the victory of Shri Ram when he slayed Ravana -
King of Lanka. Puja service offerable for this day is the Akhand Ramayana Paath -
Beneficial for peace, prosperity & happiness in the f amily. Akhand Ramayan Paath is held
before the beginning of any new venture, the birth of a child, marriage, etc. It is usually
recited to overcome miseries, ailments, unfair c ompetition, etc.

Nav Chandi Puja/Yagna: The Nav Chandi Puja can be performed to atone for sins or
misdeeds committed. It is believed that this Puja resolves issues related to health and
family disputes. The nine days of Navratri are auspicious for performing Chandi Puja.
Also, auspicious days like Ashtami, Navami, Chaturdashi, Maagh Amavasya, Jyeshta
Amavasya, Chaitra and Kartik Purnima are good for performing the Puja. The Online Puja
involves full recitation of the Durga Saptashati for 9 times and a Yagna / Homa is
performed with the 10th path of Durga Saptashati. In Durga Saptashati, there are 700
mantras in praise of Devi Durga in which she defeats various demons. With th e recital of
each of the 700 shlokas, an Ahuti (Offering) is made to the sacrificial fire.
Nav Durga Puja: The nine different manifestation of Devi Durga are Shailputri,
Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skand Mata, Katyayani, Kaal Ratri, Maha
Gauri and Siddhidatri. As per Durga Saptashati, Devi Durga confers strength, courage,
victory over adversaries and protection from malefic energies. She bestows Iccha Shakti
(indomitable will power and intent), Kriya Shakti (the energy of creation) and the Jnana
Shakti (the strength of intellect, wisdom and intuition) on ardent devotees thus giving
them both Bhoga & Moksha.