Dussehra (Dassera) is one of the main festivals, celebrated with much joy in India. The day marks the time that Lord Rama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Lakshman approached mother Durga to ask her for her blessings. This shows how respectful they were to the demigods before they went to battle. Then Lord Rama triumphed over the demon king, Ravana. This pastime of good over evil is celebrated on Dussehra.
Brilliantly decorated paintings (showing the pastimes of Lord Rama) are carried on processions through the cities. Very large images or effigies of Ravana are placed in vast open spaces. Devotees dressed as Rama, Sita and Lakshman, arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with explosives. The result is a deafening blast, made even louder by the shouts of happiness and triumph from the devotees watching.
Ravan had a lot of power. He had soldiers, ministers, many wives and powerful family members. He lived on a huge island that was filled with beauty and wealth. Ravan was also a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. Many of his powers had been given to him because of his devotion to Shiva.
Even though Ravan had so much power and so many soldiers and rakshasa helping him, he did not win the battle with Rama. Rama only had an army of animals and his brother Laksman to help him. It did not seem like an even battle. Why do you think Rama and Laksmana, Hanuman and the others could defeat or beat Ravana?
When the battle was over, Sitadevi and Lord Rama were reunited and all the animal warriors were very happy.
On Dussehra night, people continue celebrating by exploding fireworks and bombs and noisily cheering the pastime of Rama defeating Ravana.
