Dussehra 2023: 3 Unheard Facts of Dussehra Everyone Should Know? Written By-Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee ~ Indian Culture

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan via Instagram

After celebrating Navratri, people are now rejoicing Dussehra with great excitement across the nation. Dussehra is the festival that signifies the ending of the nine-day-long Navratri celebration. This auspicious festival is connected with Lord Rama and how he destroyed the wicked Ravana hence this festival is remembered as the victory of good over evil.

On the same day, Goddess Durga annihilated Mahisasura, the demon king. As per the Hindu Panchang, Dussehra is observed on the Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month exactly 20 days before Diwali. In 2023 the festival of Vijaya Dashami will be celebrated on Tuesday,24th October. So, here are some unheard facts associated with Dussehra-

1)War of Ramayana was fought for 84 days?

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan via Instagram

Great, dynamic, and powerful Ravana was learned from the Vedas. He was one of the most intelligent people on earth. Still, his Pride brought him to an end. Ravana was a true believer of Lord Shiva and had the boon that no god could kill him. That is why Lord Vishnu had to incarnate in the human form to slay Ravana. Lord Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, destroyed Ravana by hitting an arrow in his navel.

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan via Instagram

The battle between Lord Rama and Ravana's army fought for several days. In the Great War, Lord Ram killed the Powerful Ravana and Kumbhakarna.

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan via Instagram

While Lakshmana killed the strongest demons like Meghnath, Atikay, and Prahastha.According to Valmiki Ramayana, the war was fought for 84 days between Lord Ram and Ravana's army. Lord Ram prayed Shakti for victory in war.

Moreover, after the battle for 9 continuous days, Ravana was killed on the tenth day. Hence Shakti is worshiped for nine days of the Navratri festival and Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day. According to the Ramayana, there were 8 consecutive days of war between Lord Rama and Ravana. The war which started between the two on the Tritiya Tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha finished with Ravana's death on Dashami.

2)After Ravana's death Mandodri Married Vibhishana?

Image Courtesy Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan via Twitter

Mandodari was the daughter of the demon king Mayasura. Mandodri sought a boon from Lord Shiva that her husband would be the most learned and powerful on earth. Due to the boon of Lord Shiva, Mandodri was married to Ravana. The Ramayana depicts Mandodri as beautiful, pious, and righteous. She is praised as one of the Panch-Kanyas (Five Girls), the recital of whose names is believed to Destruction of sins.

Mandodri attempts to lead Ravana to righteousness, but Ravana always neglects her advice. After the death of Ravana, Lord Ram made Vibhishana the king of Lanka and advised him to marry Mandodri. Mandodari, however, refused the proposal and isolated herself from the kingdom. After some time she agreed to marry Vibhishana.

3)Dussehra was First Celebrated in Mysore?

Courtesy: Twitter

It is believed that the first great festival of Dussehra was celebrated in the Mysore Palace in the 15th century. The city of Mysore has a rich culture of rejoicing the Dussehra festival. The Dussehra celebrations were first introduced by the Vijayanagar King Wodeyar in the 15th Century. In Mysore; it is believed that on this day Goddess Durga destroyed the demon Mahisasura.

Mysore Palace lit up for Dussehra(Courtesy: Twitter)

Mahisasura is the demon from whose name Mysore has been originated. Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped on this day, and a grand procession of her idol is driven out in the city of Mysore. All major buildings in the city are illuminated with lights and colors.

So! Have a Great Dussehra!

About Rashmi Vajpayee

Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.