The Festival
Dussehra is one of the most awaited festivals in India. It is celebrated with full devotion and frolic by the Indian masses. The festival is also known as Vijayadashmi and is not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by people of all religion, sect, caste, color and creed. The festival signifies victory of good over evil. During Dussehra Goddess Durga is worshiped. Goddess Durga is said to be a combined manifestation of the divine superpowers - Brahma - Vishnu and Mahesh who summoned Durga to kill the mighty demon, Mahishasur.

Legends
Dussehra is also known as Vijaya Dasami. It is believed that on this day Lord Rama killed the demon King Ravana of Lanka and brought back wife from his captive. Puranas also testify that Goddess Durga defeated and killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

The Celebration
With the beginning of the month of October, people start making preparations for welcoming Durga and blessing their household and life with happiness. The festival continues for 10 days. Till 9 days the people keep fast and offer prayers to the goddess. This phase of nine days is called as " Navratra". At various places the huge idols of goddess Durga is installed. Artists from all over India decorate and adorn goddess with ornaments and fine clothes. Not only Indians but these idols are also visited in large numbers by foreigners. The whole atmosphere during this time seem very pious and clean. People dressed in new clothes visit their near and dear ones and wish them the best of the festival. Several delicacies are prepared as offering to the goddess.

During the night the streets sparkle with disco lights and bhajans dedicated to Maa Durga. People decorate their entrances with Torans and flower studded strings. Several fairs are also organised during this ten days festival all over India. On the tenth day of Dussehra, with heavy heart the devotees immerse the her in the rivers and ponds.

Ramlila
'Ramlila' is one of the delights and attractions during Dussehra. It is an enactment of the life of King Ram that is held during the nine days of Navratri. On the tenth day large effigies of Ravana, his son and brother Meghnadh and Kumbhakaran are set to fire and heavy cracker show is also organised. Ramlila is held with a view of teaching people the lesson of burning their individual evils and following the path of truth all their lives.

Best of Dussehra
Dussehra is celebrated all over India with full fun and frolic but there are certain places where it is lived to great heights. Dussehra becomes a rage in North India, Mysore, Himachal Pradeh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. In Bengal Dussehra is celebrated as Durga Puja.

Dussehra Date in 2008
9th October