Today is 'Vijayadashami' also known as 'Dussehra' an important Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal. It falls in September or October months based on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Asvin/ Kanni according to Hindu and Malayalam calendar respectively. It is a religious festival that celebrates victory of goodness over evils. It is the tenth day of celebration of Navratri. Navratri is a cultural festival of great significance and importance of Hindus. The nine days of Navratri are based on the three qualities of tamas, rajas and satva. The first three days are tamas, dedicated to the goddess of fierce, Durga, next three days are dedicated to the goddess of gentleness, Lakshmi, and the last three days are dedicated to the goddess of knowledge and enlightenment, Saraswati. Dedicating to tamas makes one powerful, to rajas makes one compassionate, to satva makes one wise. After Navratri on Vijayadashami one conquered all these qualities and won over them. Being in reverence and gratitude towards everything that matters us leads to victory.
Meaning of Vijayadashami or Dussehra is the removal of the ten bad qualities in humans.
Those ten qualities are Ego, Cruelty, Injustice, Lust, Anger, Greed, Over Pride, Jealousy, Attachment and Selfishness. Hence it is known as Vijayadashami signifying 'Vijaya' means victory over 'dashami' means ten bad qualities. The day marks the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Durga fought with evil for ten days and nine nights and come out with victory on dashami, that is the tenth day. Being in reverence and gratitude with mother earth, the cosmos, the humankind and our body, mind and soul lead us to determination, dedication and devotion towards all our activities with promising successes. Vijayadashami is an auspicious occasion to initiate a child into the world of learning.
Also for children to commence their education in music, art forms and classical dance and to pay homage to their 'Gurus'. It is believed that any new venture started on 'Vijayadashami' brings success and prosperity.
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