Dussehra is a major Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus in the Indian sub-continent. It commemorates the day when Lord Rama made to rest the demon king Ravana, who was dreaded for his prowess. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Short and Long Essay on Dussehra in English
I have provided below some short and long essays on Dussehra in different words limit to make this topic useful for students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The language is kept simple so that every student can understand the essays properly.
Dussehra Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)
1) Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami is among the main festivals of India.
2) This festival mainly falls from September – October.
3) This festival commemorated the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana.
4) Dussehra is celebrated 20 days before the Diwali festival.
5) In many places, Ramlila is organized on Dussehra.
6) On Dussehra, people can also enjoy fairs and amusements.
7) In Dussehra, a large effigy of Ravana is burned.
8) People visit different places to see the burning effigy of Ravana.
9) This festival has been celebrated in India for thousands of years.
10) Every year Dussehra is celebrated by Hindus with great joy and devotion.
Essay on Dussehra (250 – 300 Words)
Introduction
Every year in the months of September-October, Hindus celebrate the day when their loved prince Ram killed demon Ravan, for the latter’s evil deeds and misconducts. Dussehra is celebrated with immense joy and every village or city is overwhelmed with enthralled audience visiting fairs.
Celebrating Ram’s Victory
The festival majorly celebrates the victory of Ram over Ravan. It is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. It was indeed an impossible task, yet Ram, driven by faith in his beliefs, was able to achieve it. When Ram took guard against Ravan, he had nothing except few loyal friends and brother Lakshmana on his side.
At that time Ravan was a mighty king no one dared to challenge. But, Ram was able to organize his loyal friends and constitute an army to fight against Ravan. Initially, Ravan laughed it off, but to his surprise and dismay, he was defeated and killed by Ram on the thirteenth day of the battle. It is this victory of Rama that the people of India celebrate as Dussehra.
Dussehra and Durga Puja
Both Dussehra and Durga Puja signify the victory of good over evil. While Dussehra commemorates the victory of Lord Rama; Durga Puja celebrates the day when Goddess Durga slain evil buffalo demon Mahishasura in a fierce battle that lasted for nine days. Dussehra also falls on the tenth day of Durga Puja. The legend has it that before going to battle Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga to be blessed with strength and valor.
Conclusion
Dussehra is integral to not only Hindu belief but it also entails the Indian philosophy of “Truth always triumphs”.
Essay 2 (300 – 400 Words) – Dussehra: Victory of Good over Evil
Introduction
Dussehra is a Hindu festival celebrated by the Hindus, 20 days prior to Deepawali festival. While Deepawali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya; Dussehra is celebrated on the Day Rama killed Ravana in a battle that lasted for 13 days.
Victory of Good over Evil
Rama was a noble prince of Ayodhya, whose wife Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, while the former was on an exile. Ravana was the demon king, who resided in the kingdom of Lanka. He was a powerful king who ruled over the world. While on exile Rama had nothing except his bow and arrow and his loyal wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana.
When Ravana kidnapped Sita and took her to Lanka; Rama was able to gather support from kings of little virtually unknown kingdoms. This feat, he was successful in doing because of his leadership skills and moral highness.
Rama had an exceptionally pious presence that helped him gain the loyalty of everyone he met. His army, howsoever small it was, was loyal to the core and confided in him. Rama’s belief in the principles of righteousness gave him and his army the strength to fight against a much formidable opponent – Ravana. It was nothing but a fight between good and evil and the day it ended with slaying of Ravana, it was a triumph of good over evil, which is celebrated as Dussehra today.
‘Ram Lila’ – The Story of Rama
One of the main attractions of the Dussehra festival is the performance of Ram Lila or the story of Rama. It is a play enacted by local artists depicting the life incidents of Rama. Ram Lila is performed in every village and city of India and is watched by the locals with unparalleled enthusiasm.
Ram Lila is performed for over 20 days with each day dedicated to specific incidents like – the day Rama started his exile, abduction of Sita, Visit of Hanumana to Lanka, among others. The last day of Ram Lila coincides with the execution of Ravana at the hands of Rama. This last act of Ram Lila is more popular and entails the burning down of a large effigy of Ravana in full view of the enthralled audience shouting “Jai Shri Ram”.
Conclusion
Dussehra celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival reflects the very basic philosophy of the Hindu religion, which is the eternal prevalence of truth and righteousness. Truth howsoever small in front of evil, cannot be suppressed and always triumphs victoriously.
Essay 3 (500 – 600 Words) – Legend of Dussehra and Its Significance
Introduction
Dussehra also called ‘Vijayadashami’ is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India. It is one of the most popular festivals of Indian Hindus after Deepawali and Holi. The festival commemorates the victory of good over evil. In the essay, we will know about the time, legend, celebrations and significance of Dussehra.
When is Dussehra Celebrated?
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of either Ashwin or Kartik month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which usually corresponds to the Gregorian calendar month of September-October.
The festival also falls on the tenth day after nine-day long Durga Puja and 20 days before the Deepawali festival.
Mythological Legend
The legend of Dussehra celebration is associated with Lord Rama and his victory over the demon king Ravana. Rama, the prince of Ayodhya was on exile in the Dandaka forest (southern India) with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana.
In the turn of events, Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, who took her to his kingdom ‘Lanka’ which was in present-day Sri Lanka. Rama was a noble prince who was well known for his archery skills and moral values. He was able to organize well-wishers and instigate a war with Ravana, to free Sita.
The Ramayana war lasted for nearly 13 days and in the end, Rama was able to kill Ravana. It was indeed a victory of good over evil. This day is celebrated as Dussehra.
Rama returned to Ayodhaya 20 days after the battle and this day is celebrated as Deepawali.
Dussehra Celebrations
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with exceptional zeal and enthusiasm, throughout the country. The preparations for the festival are made months in advance. Dussehra is not celebrated in homes but it is more like a community fair, celebrated together with others in the society.
Dussehra is celebrated after a nine-day long Durga Puja festival, which makes the festival even grander. Fairs are organized at several places where people visit with their families to shop through temporary shops and savor the local delicacies.
Another more significant event of Dussehra celebrations is a large effigy of Ravana that is burned in the evening. The effigy is usually kept in large grounds and at a safe distance from settlements. It is also barricaded at a safe distance for the onlookers. The effigy is also loaded with fireworks which gives it a celebratory punch. When the effigy burns with bursting fireworks, a crowd applauds with immense happiness and joy. It is indeed a sight to behold.
Significance of Dussehra
The festival is very important for the Indian Hindu community for two main reasons. Firstly, it commemorates the victory of Lord Rama, one of the Hindu religion’s most revered figures. Secondly, it celebrates the victory of good over evil and sends a message that howsoever colossal the evil forces may be they will, at last, be defeated by truth and morality.
The festival of Dussehra and its message is the very basis of the true mature of Hindu beliefs and customs. Almost, every Hindu festival has a message that signifies righteousness, truth, and moral highness.
Rama is worshipped not because he was a prince, but because he was a noble prince who held his principles and righteousness over materialistic possessions. Such was the glory of Rama that he had his well-wishers in almost every kingdom throughout the length and breadth of India. It is this moral righteousness that the festival signifies and every Hindu at heart idealizes Rama as his role model.
Conclusion
Hindus of India had been celebrating Dussehra for thousands of years and it will be celebrated for coming millenniums with the same zeal and passion. Methods and rituals may change over time but the significance of the festival will remain the same.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Dussehra
Ans. The festival of Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvina month of the Hindu calendar.
Ans. Dussehra is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana.
Ans. Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami.
Ans. The festival of Dussehra is celebrated as Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh.
Ans. Ramlila is enacted during the nine days before Dussehra.
Ans. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada are burnt on the day of Dussehra.
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