The revered festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, was celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, marking the triumph of good over evil. In Nagpur, Maharashtra, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat performed the traditional Shashtra Puja, a significant ritual symbolizing the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
The event was graced by prominent figures, including former ISRO chief and Padma Bhushan recipient K. Radhakrishnan, who served as the chief guest. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and former ISRO chief K. Sivan were also present, adding to the significance of the occasion.
Dussehra holds deep cultural and religious significance for Hindus. It marks the culmination of Durga Puja and Navratri, both festivals dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. This year, the Dussehra tithi spanned over two days, from October 12 to October 13.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, who had abducted Sita, is celebrated on this day. As a symbolic gesture, effigies of Ravana and his son, Meghnad, are burnt across India, signifying the eradication of evil.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu also extended their Dussehra wishes to the nation through social media posts. They will be attending the Dussehra program organized by the Shri Dharmik Leela Committee in Delhi, where the effigies will be burnt on the evening of October 13.
Schools in several states, including Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, have declared holidays on October 11-12 to commemorate Dussehra, reflecting the festival’s importance in the Indian education system.
