Vijayadashami: Difference between revisions

Vijayadasami
Vijayadasami
	Vijayadasami reveres either Durga or Rama's victory over evil depending on the region.
Also called	Dussehra, Dasara, Navratri
Observed by	Hindus
Type	Religious, cultural
Significance	Celebrates the victory of good over evil
Celebrations	Marks the end of Durga Puja or Ramlila
Observances	pandals (stages), plays, community gathering, recitation of scriptures, immersion of Durga or burning of Ravana
Date	Ashvin (September or October)

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Bijoyadashami (IAST: Vijayadaśamī, pronounced [ʋɪʝəjəðəʃmɪ]]) also known as Bijoya dashomi and Dashohara (Bengali),Dasara, Dusshera or Dussehra (Hindi) is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Assin, sixth month of Bengali calender; Ashvin, the seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Bijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent.^[6]^[1]^[7]^[3] In the eastern and northeastern states of India, Bijaya dashomi marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to help restore Dharma.^[3]^[8] In the northern, southern and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "Ramlila" and remembers God Rama's victory over the demon Ravana, or alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi such as Durga or Saraswati.^[1]^[4]^[5]

Bijayadashami celebrations include processions to a river or ocean front that carry clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed into the water for dissolution and a goodbye. Elsewhere, on Dasara, the towering effigies of Ravana symbolizing the evil are burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami.^[9]^[10]^[1]

Etymology and nomenclature

Bijayadashami (Devanagari: विजयदशमि ) (Kannada: ವಿಜಯದಾಶಿಮಿ) (Telugu: విజయదశమి) is a composite of two words "Bijaya"(विजय) and "Dashami"(दशमी), which respectively mean "victory"^[11] and "tenth",^[12] connoting the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil.^[1]^[7] The same Hindu festival-related term, however, takes different forms in different regions of India and Nepal, as well as among Hindu minorities found elsewhere.^[13]

According to James Lochtefeld, the word Dussehra (Devanagari: दशहर) (Kannada: ದಸರಾ ಹಬ್ಬ) is a variant of Dashahara which is a compound Sanskrit word composed of "dasham"(दशम) and "ahar" (अहर), respectively meaning "10" and "day".^[14]^[15]^[16] According to Monier Williams, Dus (दुश) means "bad, evil, sinful", and Hara (हर) means "removing, destroying", connoting "removing the bad, destroying the evil, sinful".^[17]^[18]

Regional variations in Hinduism

Northern India

In most of northern and western India, Dasha-Hara (literally, "ten days") is celebrated in honour of Rama. Thousands of drama-dance-music plays based on the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas (Ramlila) are performed at outdoor fairs across the land and in temporarily built staging grounds featuring effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada. The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening of Vijayadashami-Dussehra.^[5] While Dussehra is observed on the same day across India, the festivities leading to it vary. In many places, the "Rama Lila", or the brief version of the story of Rama, Sita and Lakshamana, is enacted over the 9 days before it, but in some cities such as Varanasi the entire story is freely acted out by performance-artists before the public every evening for a month.^[16]

The performance arts tradition during the Dussehra festival was inscribed by UNESCO as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2008.^[19] The festivities, states UNESCO, include songs, narration, recital and dialogue based on the Hindu text Ramacharitmanas by Tulsidas. It is celebrated across northern India for dussehra, but particularly in historically important Hindu cities of Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Almora and Madhubani – cities in Uttar Pradesh, Utarakhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.^[19] The festival and dramatic enactment of the virtues versus vices filled story is organized by communities in hundreds of small villages and towns, attracting a mix of audiences from different social, gender and economic backgrounds. In many parts of India, the audience and villagers join in and participate spontaneously, some helping the artists, others helping with stage setup, make-up, effigies and lights.^[19] These arts come to a close on the night of Dussehra, when the victory of Rama is celebrated by burning the effigies of evil, Ravana and his colleagues.^[13]

Himachal Pradesh

Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, and is regionally notable for its large fair and parade witnessed by estimated half a million people. The festival is a symbol of victory of good over evil by Raghu Nath, and is celebrated like elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent with a procession.^[20] The special feature of the Kullu Dasara procession is the arrival of floats containing deities from different parts of the nearby regions and their journey to Kullu.^[21]

Southern India

Mysore Dasara procession and celebrations in Karnataka are a major tourist attraction.

Vijayadasami is celebrated in a variety of ways in South India.^[22]^{[better source needed]} Celebrations range from worshipping Durga, lighting up temples and major forts such as at Mysore, to displaying colorful figurines, known as a golu.

The festival played a historical role in the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire, where it was called Mahanavami. The Italian traveller Niccolò de' Conti described the festival's intensity and importance as a grandeur religious and martial event with royal support. The event revered Durga as the warrior goddess (some texts refer to her as Chamundeshwari). The celebrations hosted athletic competitions, singing and dancing, fireworks, a pageantry military parade and charitable giving to the public.^[23]^[24]

The city of Mysore has traditionally been a major center of Dasara-Vijayadashami celebrations.^[23]

Another significant and notable tradition of several South Indian regions has been the dedication of this festival to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, music and arts. She is worshipped, along with instruments of one's trade during this festival. In South India, people maintain, clean and worship their instruments, tools of work and implements of their livelihood during this festival, remembering Goddess Saraswati and Durga.^[13]

Western India

In Maharashtra, the deities installed on the first day of Navratri are immersed in water. Observers visit each other and exchange sweets.^[25]

The festival has been historically important in Maharashtra. Shivaji, who challenged the Mughal Empire in the 17th-century and created a Hindu kingdom is western and central India, would deploy his soldiers to assist farmers in cropping lands and adequate irrigation to guarantee food supplies. Post monsoons, on Vijayadashami, these soldiers would leave their villages and reassemble to serve in the military, re-arm and obtain their deployment orders, then proceed to the frontiers for active duty.^[26]^[27]

In Gujarat, both goddess Durga and god Rama are revered for their victory over evil. Fasting and prayers at temples are common. A regional dance called Dandia Ras, that deploys colorfully decorated sticks, and Garba that is dancing in traditional dress is a part of the festivities through the night.^[28]

In Mewar region of Rajasthan, both Durga and Rama have been celebrated on Vijayadashami, and it has been a major festival for Rajput warriors.^[23]

Eastern India

Bijaya Dashomi is observed after Navratri, on the tenth day, marked by a great procession where the clay statues are ceremoniously walked to a river or ocean coast for a solemn goodbye to Durga. Many mark their faces with vermilion (sindoor) or dress in something red. It is an emotional day for some devotees, and the congregation sings emotional goodbye songs.^[29]^[30] When the procession reaches the water, Durga is immersed, the clay dissolves, and she is believed to return to Mount Kailasha with Shiva and cosmos in general. People distribute sweets and gifts, visit their friends and family members.^[31] Some communities such as those near Varanasi mark the eleventh day, called ekadoshi, by visiting a Durga temple.^[32]

Nepal

In Nepal, Bijayadashomi follows the festival of Dashain. Youngsters visit the elders in their family, distant ones come to their native homes, and students visit their school teachers. The elders and teachers welcome the youngsters, mark their foreheads with Tilak and bless them. The family reveres the Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi, hoping for virtuous success and prosperity in the year ahead.^[33]^[34]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Christopher John Fuller (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-0-69112-04-85.
^ 2017 Holidays National Informatics Centre (NIC), MeitY, Government of India
^ ^a ^b ^c Encyclopedia Britannica 2015.
^ ^a ^b James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 212–213, 468–469.
^ ^a ^b ^c Encyclopedia Britannica Dussehra 2015.
^ "Happy Dashain 2074". Lumbini Media. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b James G. Lochtefeld 2002, p. 751.
^ James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 468–469.
^ Susan B. Gall; Irene Natividad (1995). The Asian-American Almanac. Gale Research. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-8103-9193-2.
^ Rina Singh (2016). Diwali. Orca. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-1-4598-1008-2.
^ "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".
^ "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".
^ ^a ^b ^c Constance Jones & James D. Ryan 2006, pp. 308–309.
^ "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".
^ "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".
^ ^a ^b James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 212–213.
^ Monier Williams (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and philologically arranged. Clarendon Press. pp. 424–425.
^ Monier Monier-Williams (2001). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Asian Educational Services. pp. 35, 240, 675–676. ISBN 978-81-206-1509-0.
^ ^a ^b ^c Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana, UNESCO
^ Dutta, Sanjay (11 October 2008). "International Dussehra festival kicks-off at Kullu". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
^ James G. Lochtefeld 2002, p. 213.
^ "Dussera or Vijayadahami – Why Do We Celebrate It?". 14 October 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c Christopher John Fuller (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press. pp. 117–119. ISBN 978-0-69112-04-85.
^ S Sivapriyananda (1995). Mysore Royal Dasara. Abhinav Publications. pp. 73–75.
^ Shirgaonkar, Varsha. ""Madhyayugin Mahanavami aani Dasara"." Chaturang, Loksatta (1996).
^ Jaswant Lal Mehta (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. pp. 505–509. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
^ Gopa Sabharwal (2006). Ethnicity and Class: Social Divisions in an Indian City. Oxford University Press. pp. 123–125. ISBN 978-0-19-567830-7.
^ Aruna Thaker; Arlene Barton (2012). Multicultural Handbook of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics. John Wiley & Sons. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-4051-7358-2.
^ Hillary Rodrigues 2003, pp. 244–245.
^ June McDaniel 2004, pp. 168–169.
^ Hillary Rodrigues 2003, pp. 66–67, 236–241, 246–247.
^ Hillary Rodrigues 2003, pp. 67–68.
^ Dhurba Krishna Deep (1993). Popular Deities, Emblems & Images of Nepal. Nirala. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-81-85693-25-5.
^ Netra Bahadur Thapa; D. P. Thapa (1969). Geography of Nepal: Physical, Economic, Cultural & Regional. Orient Longmans. pp. 92–93.

Bibliography

Amazzone, Laura (2012). Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power. University Press of America. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
Coburn, Thomas B. (1991). Encountering the Goddess: A translation of the Devi-Mahatmya and a Study of Its Interpretation. State University of New York Press. ISBN 0791404463.
Paul Reid-Bowen (2012). Denise Cush; Catherine Robinson; Michael York (eds.). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-18979-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Constance Jones; James D. Ryan (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
David Kinsley (1988). Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-90883-3.
James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z. The Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8239-2287-1. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
June McDaniel (2004). Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-534713-5. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Rachel Fell McDermott (2001). Mother of My Heart, Daughter of My Dreams: Kali and Uma in the Devotional Poetry of Bengal. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-803071-3. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Rocher, Ludo (1986). The Puranas. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 978-3447025225.
Hillary Rodrigues (2003). Ritual Worship of the Great Goddess: The Liturgy of the Durga Puja with Interpretations. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-8844-7. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
"Navratri – Hindu festival". Encyclopedia Britannica. 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
"Dussehra – Hindu festival". Encyclopedia Britannica. 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2017.

External links

Rituals of Dasara
Dussehra Celebration in Different Parts of India
Pictures and Videos of Dasara celebrations in Mangalore
Mysuru (Karnataka) Dasara Festival, Government of India
Dussehra in Telangana, Government of India

[Fuller2004p108-1] Christopher John Fuller (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-0-69112-04-85.

[2] 2017 Holidays National Informatics Centre (NIC), MeitY, Government of India

[FOOTNOTEEncyclopedia_Britannica2015-3] Encyclopedia Britannica 2015.

[FOOTNOTEJames_G._Lochtefeld2002212–213,_468–469-4] James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 212–213, 468–469.

[FOOTNOTEEncyclopedia_Britannica_Dussehra2015-5] Encyclopedia Britannica Dussehra 2015.

[6] "Happy Dashain 2074". Lumbini Media. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.

[FOOTNOTEJames_G._Lochtefeld2002751-7] James G. Lochtefeld 2002, p. 751.

[FOOTNOTEJames_G._Lochtefeld2002468–469-8] James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 468–469.

[9] Susan B. Gall; Irene Natividad (1995). The Asian-American Almanac. Gale Research. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-8103-9193-2.

[10] Rina Singh (2016). Diwali. Orca. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-1-4598-1008-2.

[11] "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".

[12] "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".

[FOOTNOTEConstance_JonesJames_D._Ryan2006308–309-13] Constance Jones & James D. Ryan 2006, pp. 308–309.

[14] "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".

[15] "Sanskrit spoken dictionary".

[FOOTNOTEJames_G._Lochtefeld2002212–213-16] James G. Lochtefeld 2002, pp. 212–213.

[17] Monier Williams (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and philologically arranged. Clarendon Press. pp. 424–425.

[18] Monier Monier-Williams (2001). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Asian Educational Services. pp. 35, 240, 675–676. ISBN 978-81-206-1509-0.

[unescodussehra-19] Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana, UNESCO

[20] Dutta, Sanjay (11 October 2008). "International Dussehra festival kicks-off at Kullu". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 May 2016.

[FOOTNOTEJames_G._Lochtefeld2002213-21] James G. Lochtefeld 2002, p. 213.

[22] "Dussera or Vijayadahami – Why Do We Celebrate It?". 14 October 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.

[fuller117-23] Christopher John Fuller (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press. pp. 117–119. ISBN 978-0-69112-04-85.

[24] S Sivapriyananda (1995). Mysore Royal Dasara. Abhinav Publications. pp. 73–75.

[25] Shirgaonkar, Varsha. ""Madhyayugin Mahanavami aani Dasara"." Chaturang, Loksatta (1996).

[26] Jaswant Lal Mehta (2005). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. pp. 505–509. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.

[27] Gopa Sabharwal (2006). Ethnicity and Class: Social Divisions in an Indian City. Oxford University Press. pp. 123–125. ISBN 978-0-19-567830-7.

[28] Aruna Thaker; Arlene Barton (2012). Multicultural Handbook of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics. John Wiley & Sons. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-4051-7358-2.

[FOOTNOTEHillary_Rodrigues2003244–245-29] Hillary Rodrigues 2003, pp. 244–245.

[FOOTNOTEJune_McDaniel2004168–169-30] June McDaniel 2004, pp. 168–169.

[FOOTNOTEHillary_Rodrigues200366–67,_236–241,_246–247-31] Hillary Rodrigues 2003, pp. 66–67, 236–241, 246–247.

[FOOTNOTEHillary_Rodrigues200367–68-32] Hillary Rodrigues 2003, pp. 67–68.

[33] Dhurba Krishna Deep (1993). Popular Deities, Emblems & Images of Nepal. Nirala. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-81-85693-25-5.

[34] Netra Bahadur Thapa; D. P. Thapa (1969). Geography of Nepal: Physical, Economic, Cultural & Regional. Orient Longmans. pp. 92–93.

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@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 }}
 {{Hinduism}}
-'''Vijayadashami'''  ([[IAST]]: Vijayadaśamī, {{IPA-all|ʋɪʝəjəðəʃmɪ]|pron}}) also known as '''''Dasara''''', '''''Dusshera''''' or '''''Dussehra''''' is a major [[Hindu]] festival celebrated at the end of [[Navratri]] every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of ''Ashvin'', the seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica | 2015}}{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=212-213, 468-469}}{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica Dussehra | 2015}}
+'''Bijoyadashami'''  ([[IAST]]: Vijayadaśamī, {{IPA-all|ʋɪʝəjəðəʃmɪ]|pron}}) also known as '''''Bijoya dashomi and Dashohara (Bengali),Dasara''''', '''''Dusshera''''' or '''''Dussehra (Hindi)''''' is a major [[Hindu]] festival celebrated at the end of [[Navratri]] every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of ''Assin, sixth month of Bengali calender; Ashvin'', the seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica | 2015}}{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=212-213, 468-469}}{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica Dussehra | 2015}}
-Vijayadasami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Happy Dashain 2074|publisher = Lumbini Media|date = September 18, 2017|url = http://www.lumbinimedia.com/2017/09/happy-dashain-2074-wallpaper.html|accessdate=2017-09-18}}</ref><ref name="Fuller2004p108"/>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|p=751}}{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica | 2015}} In the eastern and northeastern states of [[India]], Vijayadashami marks the end of [[Durga Puja]], remembering goddess [[Durga]]'s victory over the buffalo demon [[Mahishasura]] to help restore [[Dharma]].{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica | 2015}}{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=468-469}} In the northern, southern and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "[[Ramlila]]" and remembers God [[Rama]]'s victory over the demon [[Ravana]], or alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess [[Devi]] such as Durga or Saraswati.<ref name="Fuller2004p108"/>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=212-213, 468-469}}{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica Dussehra | 2015}}
+Bijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Happy Dashain 2074|publisher = Lumbini Media|date = September 18, 2017|url = http://www.lumbinimedia.com/2017/09/happy-dashain-2074-wallpaper.html|accessdate=2017-09-18}}</ref><ref name="Fuller2004p108"/>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|p=751}}{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica | 2015}} In the eastern and northeastern states of [[India]], Bijaya dashomi marks the end of [[Durga Puja]], remembering goddess [[Durga]]'s victory over the buffalo demon [[Mahishasura]] to help restore [[Dharma]].{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica | 2015}}{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=468-469}} In the northern, southern and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "[[Ramlila]]" and remembers God [[Rama]]'s victory over the demon [[Ravana]], or alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess [[Devi]] such as Durga or Saraswati.<ref name="Fuller2004p108"/>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=212-213, 468-469}}{{sfn | Encyclopedia Britannica Dussehra | 2015}}
-Vijayadashami celebrations include processions to a river or ocean front that carry clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed into the water for dissolution and a goodbye. Elsewhere, on Dasara, the towering effigies of [http://indianhypnosis.com/dashera/ Ravana] symbolizing the evil are burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated [[Diwali]], the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Susan B. Gall|author2=Irene Natividad|title=The Asian-American Almanac |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEYUAQAAIAAJ|year=1995|publisher=Gale Research|isbn=978-0-8103-9193-2|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Rina Singh|title=Diwali|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iSGTDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA17|year=2016|publisher=Orca |isbn=978-1-4598-1008-2|pages=17–18}}</ref><ref name="Fuller2004p108">{{cite book|author=Christopher John Fuller|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC&pg=PA108 |year=2004|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-69112-04-85|pages=108–109}}</ref>
+Bijayadashami celebrations include processions to a river or ocean front that carry clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed into the water for dissolution and a goodbye. Elsewhere, on Dasara, the towering effigies of [http://indianhypnosis.com/dashera/ Ravana] symbolizing the evil are burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated [[Diwali]], the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Susan B. Gall|author2=Irene Natividad|title=The Asian-American Almanac |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEYUAQAAIAAJ|year=1995|publisher=Gale Research|isbn=978-0-8103-9193-2|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Rina Singh|title=Diwali|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iSGTDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA17|year=2016|publisher=Orca |isbn=978-1-4598-1008-2|pages=17–18}}</ref><ref name="Fuller2004p108">{{cite book|author=Christopher John Fuller|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India  |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC&pg=PA108 |year=2004|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-69112-04-85|pages=108–109}}</ref>
 ==Etymology and nomenclature==
-Vijayadashami ([[Devanagari]]: विजयदशमि ) ([[Kannada]]: ವಿಜಯದಾಶಿಮಿ) ([[Telugu script|Telugu]]: విజయదశమి) is a composite of two words "Vijaya"(विजय) and "Dashami"(दशमी), which respectively mean "victory"<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=ia&tran_input=vijay&direct=se |title= Sanskrit spoken dictionary}}</ref> and "tenth",<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=ia&tran_input=dashami&direct=se|title= Sanskrit spoken dictionary}}</ref> connoting the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil.<ref name="Fuller2004p108"/>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|p=751}} The same Hindu festival-related term, however, takes different forms in different regions of India and Nepal, as well as among Hindu minorities found elsewhere.{{sfn|Constance Jones|James D. Ryan|2006|pp=308-309}}
+Bijayadashami ([[Devanagari]]: विजयदशमि ) ([[Kannada]]: ವಿಜಯದಾಶಿಮಿ) ([[Telugu script|Telugu]]: విజయదశమి) is a composite of two words "Bijaya"(विजय) and "Dashami"(दशमी), which respectively mean "victory"<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=ia&tran_input=vijay&direct=se |title= Sanskrit spoken dictionary}}</ref> and "tenth",<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=ia&tran_input=dashami&direct=se|title= Sanskrit spoken dictionary}}</ref> connoting the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil.<ref name="Fuller2004p108"/>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|p=751}} The same Hindu festival-related term, however, takes different forms in different regions of India and Nepal, as well as among Hindu minorities found elsewhere.{{sfn|Constance Jones|James D. Ryan|2006|pp=308-309}}
 According to James Lochtefeld, the word ''Dussehra'' ([[Devanagari]]: दशहर) ([[Kannada]]: ದಸರಾ ಹಬ್ಬ) is a variant of ''Dashahara'' which is a compound Sanskrit word composed of "dasham"(दशम) and "ahar" (अहर), respectively meaning  "10" and "day".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=ia&tran_input=%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AE&direct=se|title= Sanskrit spoken dictionary}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?tran_input=ahar&direct=se&script=ia&link=yes&mode=3|title= Sanskrit spoken dictionary}}</ref>{{sfn|James G. Lochtefeld|2002|pp=212-213}} According to Monier Williams, ''Dus'' (दुश) means "bad, evil, sinful", and ''Hara'' (हर) means "removing, destroying", connoting "removing the bad, destroying the evil, sinful".<ref>{{cite book|author=Monier Williams|title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and philologically arranged|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uqlRAAAAcAAJ&pg=PR12|year=1872|publisher=Clarendon Press|pages=424–425}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Monier Monier-Williams|title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KqD9XJygz4AC|year=2001|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-1509-0|pages=35, 240, 675–676}}</ref>
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ===Eastern India===
 {{main article|Durga Puja}}
-Vijaya Dasami is observed after Navratri, on the tenth day, marked by a great procession where the clay statues are ceremoniously walked to a river or ocean coast for a solemn goodbye to Durga. Many mark their faces with vermilion (''sindoor'') or dress in something red. It is an emotional day for some devotees, and the congregation sings emotional goodbye songs.{{sfn|Hillary Rodrigues|2003|pp=244-245}}{{sfn|June McDaniel|2004|pp=168-169}} When the procession reaches the water, Durga is immersed, the clay dissolves, and she is believed to return to Mount Kailasha with Shiva and cosmos in general. People distribute sweets and gifts, visit their friends and family members.{{sfn|Hillary Rodrigues|2003|pp=66-67, 236-241, 246-247}} Some communities such as those near Varanasi mark the eleventh day, called ''ekadashi'', by visiting a Durga temple.{{sfn|Hillary Rodrigues|2003|pp=67-68}}
+Bijaya Dashomi is observed after Navratri, on the tenth day, marked by a great procession where the clay statues are ceremoniously walked to a river or ocean coast for a solemn goodbye to Durga. Many mark their faces with vermilion (''sindoor'') or dress in something red. It is an emotional day for some devotees, and the congregation sings emotional goodbye songs.{{sfn|Hillary Rodrigues|2003|pp=244-245}}{{sfn|June McDaniel|2004|pp=168-169}} When the procession reaches the water, Durga is immersed, the clay dissolves, and she is believed to return to Mount Kailasha with Shiva and cosmos in general. People distribute sweets and gifts, visit their friends and family members.{{sfn|Hillary Rodrigues|2003|pp=66-67, 236-241, 246-247}} Some communities such as those near Varanasi mark the eleventh day, called ''ekadoshi'', by visiting a Durga temple.{{sfn|Hillary Rodrigues|2003|pp=67-68}}
 ==Nepal==
 [[File:Dashai.jpg|thumb|Youngsters greet elders and seek blessings on Dashain (Dashami) among the Hindu community in Nepal and Himalayan regions.]]
-In Nepal, Vijayadashami follows the festival of [[Dashain]]. Youngsters visit the elders in their family, distant ones come to their native homes, and students visit their school teachers. The elders and teachers welcome the youngsters, mark their foreheads with [[Tilak]] and bless them. The family reveres the Hindu goddess of wealth [[Lakshmi]], hoping for virtuous success and prosperity in the year ahead.<ref>{{cite book|author=Dhurba Krishna Deep|title=Popular Deities, Emblems & Images of Nepal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZbXAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Nirala |isbn=978-81-85693-25-5|pages=50–51}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Netra Bahadur Thapa|author2=D. P. Thapa|title=Geography of Nepal: Physical, Economic, Cultural & Regional|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AldXAAAAMAAJ |year=1969|publisher=Orient Longmans|pages=92–93}}</ref>
+In Nepal, Bijayadashomi follows the festival of [[Dashain]]. Youngsters visit the elders in their family, distant ones come to their native homes, and students visit their school teachers. The elders and teachers welcome the youngsters, mark their foreheads with [[Tilak]] and bless them. The family reveres the Hindu goddess of wealth [[Lakshmi]], hoping for virtuous success and prosperity in the year ahead.<ref>{{cite book|author=Dhurba Krishna Deep|title=Popular Deities, Emblems & Images of Nepal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lZbXAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Nirala |isbn=978-81-85693-25-5|pages=50–51}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Netra Bahadur Thapa|author2=D. P. Thapa|title=Geography of Nepal: Physical, Economic, Cultural & Regional|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AldXAAAAMAAJ |year=1969|publisher=Orient Longmans|pages=92–93}}</ref>
 ==See also==

v t e Festivals in the Hindu calendar
Major festivals	Ayudha Puja Chhath Diwali Durga Puja Ganesh Chaturthi Holi Krishna Janmashtami Maha Shivaratri Navaratri Rama Navami Thaipusam Vijayadashami
Harvest festivals	Bhogi Bihu Lohri Maghi Maghe Sankranti Makar Sankranti Makaravilakku Onam Pongal Pusnâ Shakrain
New year's days	Balipratipada Bohag Bihu Bisu Parba Chaitra Navaratri Cheti Chand Gudi Padwa Mesha Sankranti Mha Puja Jur Sital Navreh Nyepi Pana Sankranti Pahela Baishakh Puthandu Sajibu Nongma Panba Sankranti Ugadi Vaisakhi Vishu
Other festivals	Aadi Perukku Bhaubeej Datta Jayanti Dhanteras Gaura Parva Gowri Habba Hanuman Jayanti Kali Puja Karthika Deepam Karva Chauth Kashmiri Hindu festivals Lakshmi Puja Kumbh Mela Mahalakshmi Vrata Mahamaham Panguni Uthiram Pargat Diwas Raksha Bandhan Ratha-Yatra Savitri Vrata Teej Tulasi Vivaha Vaikasi Visakam
Holy days	Akshaya Tritiya Amalaka Ekadashi Amavasya Ananta Chaturdashi Ashadhi Ekadashi Guru Purnima Kamada Ekadashi Kartik Purnima Naga Panchami Naraka Chaturdashi Narali Purnima Nirjala Ekadashi Pausha Putrada Ekadashi Prabodhini Ekadashi Pradosha Rishi Panchami Sankashti Chaturthi Sharad Purnima Shayani Ekadashi Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Vaikuntha Ekadashi Varuthini Ekadashi Vasant Panchami Vat Purnima
Balinese festivals	Galungan Nyepi
Holy periods	Chaturmasya Pitru Paksha Uttarayana Dakshinayana
Hindu festivals