Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is an Indian Festival which falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin, and spans ten days, with Dussehra being on the 10th day. These ten days are referred to as Navratri and are dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga. It is believed to be the day when Lord Rama, defeated the demon king Ravana, who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita. This epic battle symbolizes the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Now, Let us see How Dussehra is celebrated in Nagpur.
1. Dhammachakra Pravartan Din: It is a Buddhist festival in India. This is the day to celebrate the Buddhist conversion of B. R. Ambedkar and his approximately 600,000 followers on 14 October 1956 at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur. Every year on Dussehra, millions of Buddhists gather at Deekshabhoomi to celebrate the mass conversion. October 2016 marked the Diamond Jubilee.
 
2. Ravan Dahan & Ramlila: One of the most iconic celebrations of Dussehra is the Ramlila, a dramatic re-enactment of the Ramayana. It is performed with great fanfare in many parts of Nagpur, the biggest being at Yashwant Stadium, with actors taking on the roles of key characters. The Ramlila culminates in the grand finale where the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are set on fire, signifying the defeat of evil forces.
 
3. Practice of doing puja of vehicles & machinery in industrial areas: One of the customs of the festival in Nagpur is to clean and worship vehicles, tools, plants & machinery in the industrial areas like MIDC Hingna, MIDC Wadi etc. as they are considered to be an extension of one's body and are used to earn a living. It is a way to show gratitude and respect for the objects that help us in our daily lives.
 
It has various reasons:
· It is believed that performing puja on Dussehra ensures protection and safe travels in the coming year.
· Renewal and Maintenance: Dussehra is also considered an auspicious time for cleaning, maintaining, and decorating vehicles and machinery. This ritual helps in ensuring that the vehicles are in good working condition and ready for use in the coming year.
· Community Bonding: In many places, the puja of vehicles and machinery is a community event. People gather in public spaces to perform the puja together, which fosters a sense of community and togetherness.
4. Dussehra also serves as an opportunity for communities to come together. It's a time for joy, feasting, and the exchange of gifts. Many households prepare special dishes and sweets, and exchange traditional gifts as a sign of goodwill and friendship.
5. Greeting with Sona: On Dussehra, Apta leaves are plucked from the apta tree & are exchanged as gold(sona) with other people & metaphorically looted from each other as a ritual in Maharashtra.
6. As with any festival, the celebration of Dussehra has evolved with time. Many modern celebrations include fairs, exhibitions, and carnivals, adding a touch of contemporary entertainment to this age-old tradition.
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