Tuesday, October 23, 2007

பாகிஸ்தான் இந்துக்கள் தசரா கொண்டாடினர்

பாகிஸ்தான் இந்துக்கள் தசரா கொண்டாடினர்

வாழும் இந்துமதம் தொடர்ந்து வாழும்.

அனைத்து பாகிஸ்தானியர்களும் இந்துமதத்துக்கு வர விரும்புவோம்.

Hindus celebrating 10-day ‘Dussehra’ festival
Associated Press of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Hindu community all over the world are celebrating 10-day Hindu festival "Dussehra", which marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama.

It is a very popular Hindu festival, which also symbolizes the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.

The 'Ramlila' an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine-day preceding Dussehra.

On the tenth day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother 'Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna' are set to fire.

The theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout India in which every section of people participates enthusiastically.

In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all his might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.

Dussehra is also known as Vijaya Dasami, because of the victory of Ram over Ravana. On this day in Satya Yug, Ram (the eighth incarnation of LordVishnu), killed the great demon and king of Lanka, Ravana.

The Worship of the Goddess is the oldest tradition, signifying the female deity's supremacy over the male Gods who are unable to destroy the demon.

The worship of Durga Mata has also social implications. As Goddess of war, she is a particular favourite of the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, once-constituting the ruling elite and aristocracy.

During this time people decorate the entrance of their houses with torans,and flower studded strings. The leaves of the Apta tree are collected andexchanged among friends and relatives as gold.

Dussehra Puja in India varies from place to place and is influenced by local myth and religious beliefs.

The festival is also celebrated with intense fervour and zest, in the West Bengal. The vibrant festivities last for ten days, of which nine nights are spent in worship, 'Navaratri'.

The tenth day is devoted to the worship of goddess Durga, who occupies especial position in the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses. She is 'Shakti',the cosmic energy that animates all beings.

Beautiful idols of the Mother Goddess are worshipped in elaborate pandals for nine days, and on the ninth day, these are carried out in procession for immersion (visarjan) in a river or pond.

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