Dussehra or Vijayadashami marks the end of the nine-day long festive journey of Navratras. While the northern and southern parts of the country commemorates it as the day of Ram's victory over Ravana. Though each state adds its own flavour to Dussehra, its symbolism remains the same - the triumph of good over evil.
It is symbolic of new beginnings and therefore marks the onset of preparations for the festival of lights - Diwali, which comes twenty days after the festival.
Enormous effigies of Ravana, who had abducted Sita, are burnt along with that of his brothers Meghanada and Kumbakaran in the northern and southern part of the country as part of Dussehra celebrations. Ramlila performances, which involve people enacting the life and glory of Ram through short plays, also form an essential part of the revelry.
The eastern part adds its own flavour to the grandeur where it is celebrated as Vijayadashmi - the day of Durga's return to heaven after purifying the world of evil forces. One of the most popular features of this day is the Shindur Khela, where married women smear vermilion on each other after making offerings to the goddess, to keep the joys of their married lives intact.
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