Why Dussehra Is Celebrated For 10 Days

          Actually, Dussehra is not celebrated for 10 days, it is Navratri which is celebrated for 10 days. Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri which is also called Vijaya Dashami.

          Vijayadashami, another name for Dussehra, is a significant Hindu holiday that is observed with great zeal and devotion throughout India. Dussehra, which falls on the tenth day of Ashvin, the seventh month in the Hindu lunar calendar, honours the victory of good over evil, symbolised by the defeats of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga and Ravana by Lord Rama.

          Dussehra is celebrated over ten days, each of which symbolises a different facet of the divine feminine and the continuous struggle between good and evil.

• Navratri (Days 1-9): The first nine days of Dussehra are dedicated to the worship of nine different forms of Goddess Durga, each embodying a unique manifestation of her power and shakti. These nine days are a time for spiritual introspection, devotion, and celebration of the feminine divine.
• Vijayadashami (Day 10): The tenth day of Dussehra marks the culmination of Navratri and is celebrated as the day of victory. In northern and western India, Vijayadashami is associated with Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana, while in eastern and southern India, it commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.

          Dussehra, a ten-day festival, represents the slow but inevitable victory of good over evil. Every day is a step towards conquering the evil forces that stand in the way of spiritual advancement. On Vijayadashami, Dussehra culminates, signifying the establishment of Dharma (cosmic order) and the final triumph of righteousness.

          Dussehra is celebrated for ten days, and while this has religious significance, it also has deeper spiritual significance. In Hinduism, the number 10 is revered as a symbol of perfection and wholeness. Each of the ten days of Dussehra is thought to represent a distinct stage in the spiritual development of humanity, serving as a microcosm of the human journey.

          Just as Lord Rama and Goddess Durga had to overcome numerous obstacles before achieving victory, so too must individuals on the spiritual path confront and overcome their own inner demons. The ten-day celebration of Dussehra serves as a reminder that the path to spiritual enlightenment is a gradual process that requires unwavering commitment and dedication.

          In conclusion, the ten-day celebration of Dussehra is a profound and multifaceted festival that encompasses both religious and spiritual significance. The gradual unfolding of the festival over ten days symbolizes the ongoing battle between good and evil, both within the individual and in the world at large. Dussehra is a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration of the enduring power of righteousness.