Happy Vijaydashmi!

            Vijaydashmi also called Dasara or Dusshera is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India.Dusshera is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri.This day marks the end of Durga Puja so people immerse the idols and go to each others' house and exchange gifts and sweets.Dusshera is celebrated for different reasons in different parts of India.It is celebrated in the north India to mark the victory of Lord Rama over the ten headed demon Ravana.Dusshera is celebrated in South India to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur.

                 Vijaydashmi or Dusshera is one of my favourite festivals.I relish this festival for the way it is celebrated and many more things.First of all is the Ayudha puja,which means worship of implements or weapons.In Ayudha puja we perform Puja to the weapons which helps in achieving more in life.It can be books for students,it can be vehicles for some people,it can be computers for some,it can be machines in specific companies or industries wherein Machines are the integral part of that industry.

            Then comes Vijaydashmi.It is celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Chamundi over Demon Mahishasur and also victory of Rama over ten-headed demon Ravana.So,burning of statues of Ravana is also observed in some parts of Indua on this day.Then comes the amazing part of going to each others' house and exchanging sweets and gifts.The same type of celebration happens in my native also but with a slight change.We do go to each others' house but we exchange a kind of leaves which we call bangara and byalli.Bangara means Gold and Byalli means Silver in Kannada.Everyone have bright smile on their face on this day and also after we exchange the leaves,the sweets and other delicious food is served to the visitors.When both the people exchanging the leaves are of same age,there is only exchanging followed by a hug or best wishes.But when there is a age difference,the younger one has to fall to the feet of the elder one and seek blessings from them.This is the most lovely part for me.So,before the relatives,friends,neighbours start coming to the house,we get ready and all the children exchange the leaves with the elders of the family and seek their blessings.Once it is done,we enjoy the visitors arrival.This gives a special kind of happiness to me.I love this festival because this is the only festival,other than Deepavali,wherein the whole family is present for the festival.I just enjoyed and celebrated this day with complete joy and Happiness.

 Wish you all a very Happy Vijaydashmi festival.

Thank you for reading.

Vishwesh Wali from India.