Dussehra — one of the most popular and colorful Hindu holidays is celebrated in the month of Ashwin (September—October) for 10 days, of which 9 nights are allocated to worship (hence another name for the holiday — Navratri, that is, the « holiday of nine nights»), and the tenth day is celebrated as the day of worship of Devi, who is personified as Shakti, Durga (hence another name for the festival — Durga Puja, or Durgotsav), Kali, Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Each district of India celebrates this holiday in its own way.
In North India (especially Uttar Pradesh), Dashahra is celebrated as Vijay dashahra, that is, as the day of the victory of the God Rama over the King of Lanka, the demon Ravana — of the victory of good over evil. According to legend, Rama fasted and prayed to the Goddess Warrior Durga for seven days, and she gave him victory — on the eighth day he killed the demon Ravana. On the ninth day, after offering a thanksgiving sacrifice to the Goddess, Rama set out on his return journey with friends and his consort Sita, whom he freed from captivity.
In honor of these events, mass dances and theatrical performances are organized dedicated to the exploits of Rama — «Ramlila» (Ramlila), excerpts from «Ramayana» are read, and at the end of the holiday, after a solemn procession, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghanad are burned. In Delhi, this holiday takes place in the largest square of the city, Ramlila Ground, with a huge crowd of people.
In Bengal and other eastern states of India, Dashahra is celebrated as the feast of Goddess Durga. For nine days, believers offer prayers to her, and on the tenth, the image of the Goddess entwined with garlands, accompanied by a procession of believers, is carried to the shore of the sea, river or reservoir, after which the men lift it onto their shoulders and immerse it in water.
In South India, Dashahra is called Navratri. It is dedicated to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, each worshipped for three days.
On the occasion of the holiday, it is customary to visit family and friends, bring them gifts and congratulations.