The
tenth day is devoted to the worship of goddess Durga,
who occupies a special position in the Hindu pantheon
of gods and goddesses. She is 'Shakti', the cosmic
energy which animates all beings.
According to a Puranic legend attached to this day,
the mighty demon Mahisasur, vanquished the gods and
their king, Indra, who subsequently fled, leaving
behind their kingdoms. They then approached the Holy
Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who decided to
destroy the megalomaniac demon, and thus prayed to
the divine mother Durga to do the needful.
Equipped with lethal weapons, riding a ferocious lion,
the Goddess in all her awesome majesty, vanquished
the evil one without much ado. This day, thus, also
celebrates the magnificence and omnipotence of Goddess
Durga.
The offering of goats is usual, and those who cannot
or will not make any animal sacrifice adopt a substitute
in the shape of a white pumpkin supported on four
sticks resembling the legs of a goat.
On the same day, Lord Rama, an avatar of Sri Vishnu
fought Ravana, a ten headed demon and restored dharma
(righteousness) on earth. In many places it culminates
with the burning of huge images of the demon King
Ravana of Lanka (Ceylon) and his accomplice, symbolic
of the triumph of good over evil.
On Vijayadashmi, people worship weapons, tools and
implements of their trade. They have sumptuous meals
at noon and towards evening they don holiday attire
and gather together to worship sami (presenpis specigara)
or in its absence the Apta (Bauhima racemosa ) tree.
On this day the leaves of Apta are supposed to symbolize
gold and are exchanged while greeting one another.
The Dussehra day is considered highly auspicious for
the undertaking of any new work or business.
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