Vijayadashami, also known as Dasara, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on 10th day of Navaratri in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin.
Vijay Dashami is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana and also triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura.
Vijayadashami is a composite of two words “Vijaya” and “Dashami”, which respectively mean “victory” and “tenth”, connoting the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil. The same Hindu festival-related term, however, takes different forms in different regions of India and Nepal, as well as among Hindu minorities found elsewhere.
Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the eastern and northeastern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern, southern and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara).
Vijayadashami Story: Lord Shri Rama got victory on this day. On the tenth day of Ashwin Shukla, a star named Sandhya rises and during its rise a phase comes known as “Vijya Kaal” that is considered auspicious to complete any work. There is a story related to the celebration of this festival, which is as follows:
Once Devi Parvati was curious to know about the importance of this festival. She asked Lord Shiva to give her the answer and settle down her curiosity. Lord Shiva told her that in the evening of Ashwin Shukla’s tenth day a star rises in the sky during which a phase comes knows as ” Vijaya Kaal” and this phase is auspicious to get victory over enemies and all the wishes are fulfilled during this Kaal.
If Shravan Nakshatra is formed on this day, then it becomes more auspicious. Lord Rama attacked Lanka during this phase and got victory over Ravana.
Simollanghan: It is a significant festival for Kshatriyas. They believe that when there is no war, the kings must exceed the limit of their kingdom on this day. Once King Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna about the significance of this day on which Lord Krishna told him that on the day of Vijayadashmi all the kings should decorate their slaves, elephants and horses and celebrate the festival with full zeal and enthusiasm.
The king along with his priest should depart towards the eastern side of his kingdom to exceed the limit of his kingdom’s boundaries and worship the Vastu Dev, Ashta-Digpal and Partha Deva. He should make a mannequin of his enemy and dig an arrow into his chest while chanting the Vedic Mantras. Complete all the rituals and head back to his kingdom. Any king who performs these rituals will always gets victory over his enemies.
Shami Pujan and Ashmantak tree should also be worshipped on Vijayadashmi. There is a story related to this Pujan, according to which Devi Parvati asks Lord Shiva about the significance of Shami Tree on which lord Shiva says that Arjun hid his weapons in the hole of a Shami Tree during his time of exile and started living as a Vrihanna in the kingdom of King Virat.
Later on, with the help of king’s son, Arjun collected his weapons from the tree and got victory over his enemies. This way Shami tree protected Arjun’s weapons. Other than this, when Lord Rama was marching towards the Lanka, Shami tree told him that he will get victory. This is the reason that Shami tree is worshipped on the day of Vijayadashami. If one is unable to find Shami tree, then Ashmantak tree can also be worshipped.
People exchange the leaves of the Shami tree among friends and relatives as gold. Aparijita and Vishnu Kranta plant is also worshipped on this day. This plant brings victory and is dear to lord Vishnu. Along with paying for victory people also pray for joy and prosperity.
Shastra Puja: By worshipping the weapons on this day people call for the power of God. They clean their weapons that are used in daily lives, arrange them in a row and worship them. This is an important festival of Kshatriya and they worship Devi Aparajita on this day. People achieve happiness in all spheres of life by worshipping on this day.
