The Dussehra festival is the Hindu celebration of good over evil. It is an expression of new beginnings and is celebrated at the end of the Navratri. The story is of the demon Ravana who had 10 heads, which Rama had to kill. He had to destroy each of the 10 heads which represented the 10 evil traits that we must remove - lust, ego, anger, impulsiveness, selfishness, jealousy, materialism, greed, injustice and hatred. ( note, this list of 10 seems to change depending on what you read)
Most Hindu's will perform many puja's over the Dussehra period, with incense, flower garlands, a fruit offering and turmeric symbols. The underlying idea is that if we live a life of respect and hard work, then we will live a long life of success and well being. The puja's are usually done on the 'thing or place' that brings you that success or well being. Therefore you will see a lot of tractors, buses, cars, tools, buildings being puja'd. Each state/region within India, celebrate differently but it is always a sign of new beginnings.
This time of year is full of Indian festivals, with Diwali, just around the corner. However, it is also the month for lots of celebration in our house - with both the boys birthdays !!
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| The fight between Rama and Ravana |
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| A beautiful tractor that has been puja'd |
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| Our daily visitor in our garden. He comes each day to eat some grass on the roof and then leaves. |
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| We celebrated Max's birthday on the final day of Dussehra |
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| competitive game of Rummy |
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| Jack's birthday celebration |
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