Secondary School Level

Dussera! The most wonderful festival of all. When I think of it my heart fills with joy. It is celebrated in the memory of Lord Ram's victory over the evil Ravana. That is why it is also called 'Vijayadashmi’. On this day the good triumphed over the evil. This fact is symbolised in the burning of the effigies of Ravana and other demons on this day.

Dussera is celebrated in October. This is the season of autumn when the weather is wonderful.  Everything in nature is bright and clean. The heat and the dust have been washed away by the rains. The cold winter is still away. In this beautiful period when it is neither hot nor cold, we celebrate our Dussera.

The celebrations start about ten days before Vijayadashmi day. Different localities have their Ramlila shows for all these days. The whole 'Ramayana' is depicted on the stage for all these days. Amateur and professional teams participate in these shows. People assemble in thousands to see the Ramlila. There is great excitement all round. The actual performance is usually over- dramatic, exaggerated and informal, but it gives great joy to the people.

In some cities processions are taken out. The city is marked into different zones. A day is allotted to each zone. The roads and streets are lighted and decorated. Loud-speakers are fitted at important points. Music is played. A procession of tableaux depicting different scenes from the Ramayana, other mythological or historical periods, is taken out. It is headed by a highly adornred elephant. On this elephant sit children made to look as Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman. The people standing on both sides of the road have their Darshan', bow to them and throw flowers at them. Seeing the procession .is a marvellous experience. People wait patiently for hours to witness the procession. For children all this plus the different things sold there make it like a fair. They seem to move in a wonderland.

There is something exciting for everybody. At home prayers are offered. Wonderful dishes are prepared. Children and ladies are showered with gifts. Parents are in a very liberal mood and grant all the wishes of the children. Celebration of Dussera festival is something which I always await eagerly.