Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, is a major Indian festival celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls in the month of September or October. The day culminates a 9 day fasting period of Navratri in the Hindu culture. The day also coincides with immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga. The day is celebrated to commemorate the killing of Ravana by Lord Rama. The day also celebrates the killing of demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga. Dussehra celebration spreads the message of the victory of good over sin.
It is believed that the celebration of Dussehra started in the 17th century, when the king of Mysore ordered the celebration of the day on a grand scale. Ever since, the day is celebrated with great fervor and energy. There are a lot of mythological tales associated with the day. According to Ramayana Ravana was killed by Lord Rama on this day as revenge against the cruel act of kidnapping Goddess Sita by the former.
Mythology also has it that Goddess
Durga killed demon Mahishasura after a long spell of cruelty and oppression by
Mahishasura. Another story associated with the origins of this day is the
raining of gold coins. After Kautsa asked King Raghu for 140 million coins to
give an offering to his Guru in return for his knowledge, Raghuraja went to
Indra for help who then asked Lord Kuber to rain coins on the city of Ayodhya.
After giving 140 million coins to his Guru, Kautsa distributed the rest to the
people of Ayodhya.
