After the five days of fun, excitement and rejoice with friends and family we are finally into Vijaya Dashami. It is, however, celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In North India Vijaya Dashami is Known as Dussehra and is celebrated in memory of Lord Rama’s Victory over Ravana. Even though it is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country, but it conveys the same valuable message that is, victory of good over the evil. According to Hindu religious calendar, it falls on the tenth day of the lunar month, Ashvin.
Backdrop
On this day, goddess Durga returns from her paternal home (Baper Bari) to the abode of her husband, Lord Shiva (Sosur Bari) in the Kailash Mountain along with her four siblings. On this event, the eyes get moist with tears and the hearts lament. However, amid this sadness, there is a ray of satisfaction and hope. The sweet memory of spending five long days with the goddess satisfies the heart to the bottom while the hope that she will come back to us again next year adds new meaning to our happiness.
The event
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| Sindoor Khela event |
From the morning all the community and household Puja Mandaps remain in the limelight. Married women dressed in the white saris with red border apply vermilion on the head of the mother goddess. Followed by this, they put vermilion on one another’s head and face to commemorate the event. In Bengali, this event is known as “Sindoor Khela.” Everyone prays to the deity for blessing, prosperity, peace and harmony in their life. Finally, before the departure the goddess is offered Paan (betel leaves) and sweets. During this event, before her departure, it is perceived that the eyes of the mother goddess get wet with tears. Finally, she is taken out in huge processions to the riverbank for the holy immersion. While on her way to the riverbank the devotees accompany her with music and beating of the drums. They enchant together innumerable times in loud voices while on their way, “Bolo Durga Mai Ki Jai” and “Asche Bochor Abar Hobe” which means we hail to thee mother goddess; Coming year we will celebrate your arrival together again. The riverbanks get crowded with people to bid a final goodbye to the goddess. Like any other events in Durga Puja, this event gathers huge number of spectators as well. People from the different spheres of life come from far and wide to witness the event.
Significance
After this event, people wishes Vijaya to friends and relatives and wishes one another good luck or Subho Vijaya. The elders hug each other while the youngsters touch the feet of the elders to seek their blessing. All these take place with sweets and exchanging gifts. People forget about egos and personal in-differences, if any in relationships. They get bind together with the soft thread of trust and love. Indeed, Vijaya Dashami builds a strong bonding among relationships and spreads the message of brotherhood. This festival is unique and auspicious because it teaches us to be strong morally and physically as well to prevent the hypothetical fears to sabotage our self-belief.
Life Breey wishes you all a “Subho Vijaya.”!!!