Neelkanth Bird: A Spiritual Spectacle on Dussehra
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India on October 24, 2023. People believe that doing certain things on Dussehra will bring them good luck. There is a very popular superstition that sighting a Neelkanth on Dussehra day will help absolve people of their sins.
Happy Dussehra 2023: Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India on October 24, 2023. It marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated in different ways across the country.
On this day Lord Rama killed Ravana, and Goddess Durga triumphed over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura. That is why the day is also referred to as the 'victory of good over evil'. Since then, there has been a tradition of burning the effigy of Ravana every year on this day.
Why seeing a Neelkanth bird on Dussehra is considered auspicious?
People believe that doing certain things on Dussehra will bring them good luck. There is a very popular superstition that sighting a Neelkanth on Dussehra day will help absolve people of their sins. It is also believed that if a person sees a Neelkanth and makes a wish, the bird will take the wish to the similarly blue-throated Lord Shiva on Mt Kailash who will fulfil the wish.
Feathers of Fortune: Neelkanth Bird's Role In Dussehra Traditions | odishabytes
'Neelkanth' Bird, That Proved Lucky For Lord Ram In Killing Ravana
Sighting a Neelkanth ¡ª the Indian roller bird Lord Ram is said to have spotted as he embarked upon his journey to kill Ravana ¡ª is considered auspicious on Dussehra day. The Neelkanth, which is another name of Shiva, is revered by Hindus. In north India, there's a saying when people spot it: "Neelkanth tum neele rahiyo, dudh bhaat ka bhoj kariyo, hamri baat Ram se kahiyo (Neelkanth, you stay blue, feast on rice and milk and convey our wishes to Ram)."
When is Vijayadashami in 2023?
Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil in India. Interestingly, Dussehra in different parts of India is celebrated for different reasons. This year, Dussehra falls on the 24th of October. The Vijay mahurat is timed between 5:22 pm to 6:59 pm. This year, the Dashami Tithi will start from 05:45 PM on October 23, 2023, and will end on 03:14 PM on October 24, 2023.
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- What Is The Difference Between Dussehra, Vijayadashami And Dashain?
What is the time of Ravana Dahan today?
The ideal moment for the burning Ravana effigies will be at 5:22 PM on October 24, 2023, which is calculated as 2:5 hours after sunset. However, in many locations, Dussehra or the burning of Ravana effigies will occur on the evening of October 23, 2023.
| Dussehra 2023 Date | October 24, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Vijayadashami Tithi Starts | 05.44 PM October 23 |
| Vijayadashami Tithi Ends | 03.14 PM October 24 |
| Dussehra Shubh muhurat | 01:58 PM to 02:43 PM |
| Ravana Dahan Timing | 05:22 PM to 6:59 PM |
Places In Delhi To Watch Ravan Dahan
What is the significance of Dussehra 2023?
Dussehra is celebrated for various tales of the triumph of good over evil across the country. While one part of the country observes Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi as the 10th day of the month of Ashwin, many consider this to be Goddess Durga's victory over the evil demon Mahishasur. Meanwhile, another sect of the country celebrates Dussehra as the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravana after a long nine days' battle to free his wife, Goddess Sita. One of the reasons why Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashmi is to commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga's battle against the demon Mahishasur, which concluded on the 10th day of Navratri.
Many observe Dussehra as the end of Ravana at the hands of Lord Rama. Hence, you will find a lot of theatre actors or play artists perform Ramlila on the said day. Interestingly, on the same day, Arjuna also managed to decimate about a lakh or more soldiers to defeat all the Kuru warriors which also include Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna, Kripa and more. Basically, Dussehra, with its various purposes, is eventually celebrated to commemorate the victory of dharma over adharma.
Dussehra 2023: Significance Of Vijayadashami, Rituals Ravan Dahan Timing And Celebrations Across India | Shutterstock
What are the rituals for Dussehra?
Shami Puja: Shami Puja is performed on the day of Dussehra to worship the Shami tree, which is believed to be an abode of Goddess Durga. Devotees offer prayers to the tree and tie threads or pieces of cloth around its branches.
Aparajita Puja: Aparajita Puja is performed to worship Goddess Aparajita, who is another form of Goddess Durga. Devotees offer prayers to the goddess seeking her blessings for victory over evil.
Ayudha Puja: Ayudha Puja is performed to worship weapons, tools, and instruments. This puja is especially performed by warriors, farmers, artisans, and others who use tools and weapons in their daily lives.
Vijayadashami: Vijayadashami is the culmination of the Navratri festival. On this day, devotees celebrate the victory of good over evil. People visit temples and offer prayers to Goddess Durga. They also burn effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness over evil.
Sindoor Khela: Sindoor Khela is a ritual performed by married women on the day of Vijayadashami. Women apply sindoor (vermilion) on each other's faces and pray for a happy and prosperous married life.
Shastra Puja: Shastra Puja is performed to worship books and knowledge. Students and scholars perform this puja seeking the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
Vidyarambam: In the Southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, the tenth day or Vijaya Dashami is also the day of Vidyarambam (beginning of study). People generally worship Goddess Saraswati,(Goddess of Wisdom), on Vijaya Dashami.
Durga Visarjan: In the eastern parts of the country, particularly in West Bengal, Durga Puja celebrations precede Dussehra. On the tenth day of the Pooja, that is, the day of Vijaya Dashami, idol of Goddess Durga is immersed into the nearby river or lake, by the devotees.
Dussehra 2023: Significance Of Vijayadashami, Rituals Ravan Dahan Timing And Celebrations Across India | Shutterstock
How many days do we celebrate Dussehra?
The 9 days are celebrated as Navratri and the tenth day is Dussehra. Dussehra also commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Rama, his brother Lakshmana and his monkey army fought a ten-day battle against Ravana and eventually emerged victorious.
Dussehra 2023 FAQs:
What is the significance of Dussehra?
Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil, with its roots in the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana.
How is Dussehra celebrated in different parts of India?
Dussehra is celebrated with regional variations. In the North and West, it's marked by Ravana effigy burnings, while in the South, it celebrates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over Mahishasura.
What is the Ayudha Puja?
Ayudha Puja, observed mainly in Karnataka, is a day to honour and worship one's tools and instruments, recognizing their role in one's livelihood.
What is the significance of the Golu doll display in Tamil Nadu?
The Golu doll display is a cultural tradition in Tamil Nadu, where families arrange an elaborate exhibit of dolls representing various deities and aspects of Indian culture.
What message does Dussehra convey to society?
Dussehra conveys the message of the enduring triumph of truth, unity, and hope, inspiring people to stand up against injustice and evil.
(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)
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Anuj Tiwari writes stories for SEO and is a Youtube wizard. An engineer turned social media champ, he keeps a track of all that goes around the world. His interest areas include historic events, political and social-sciences.
