Dasara (Dussehra, Vijaya Dashami) is observed on the tenth day in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin or Ashwayuja month. Dasara is also called as Vijaya Dashami. It is the final day of Durga Navratri Puja. On this day, Durga Visarjan is held and the festival of nine nights is concluded. Dasara represents the triumph of good over evil.
Dussehra celebrations in North India:
In North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, popular Ramlila Utsav is celebrated on Dussehra. In many places of India, Dussehra is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami. In Bengal and some other parts of India, Durga idols are immersed (Durga Visarjan) on Vijaya Dashami.
In Kullu of Himachal Pradesh, Dasara celebrations are observed as Kullu Dussehra. It is a colorful 10-day festival which attracts large number of tourists even from other countries. Simollanghan is the main ritual of Dasara in Maharashtra.
Dasara celebrations in South India:
In Mysore, Karnataka, famous celebrations called ‘Mysore Dasara’ is celebrated for 10 days during Durga Navratri. These celebrations are concluded on Dasara. This is a ages-old tradition to celebrated Mysore Dasara in colourful manner.
In some places, Shami Puja is performed on Dasara day. This ritual is associated with Arjuna and his weapons. Jammi Puja (Jammi = Shami) is observed in Andhra Pradesh on Dasara. Aparajita Pooja is also observed on Dasara in some places.
In Kerala, Vidyarambam, a special ritual of initiating children into studies, is performed on Dasara. Vidyarambam is a main ritual during Durga Navratri in Kerala. Golu or Bommai kolu or Bommala Kolovu arranged during Durga Navaratri is concluded on Dasara day.
at what time will vijaya dashami start this year 2013