About:
REGION |
REASON FOR OBSERVANCE |
CELEBRATIONS |
|
EASTERN & NORTH-EASTERN INDIA |
It marks the end of Durga Puja.
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It remembers goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. |
· It includes processions to a river or ocean front that carry clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants. · After this the statutes are immersed into the water. |
NORTHERN, SOUTHERN & WESTERN INDIA |
It marks the end of "Ramlila"
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It remembers God Rama's victory over the demon Ravana. |
· Here the festival is also known as Dasara or Dussehra. · The towering effigies of Ravana symbolizing the evil are burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. · The performance arts tradition during the Dussehra festival was inscribed by UNESCO as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2008. |