Chapter 9
Dussehra
1. What is India known for in terms of festivals?
Answer: India is known as a land of festivals and celebrations, where one or the other festival is celebrated in some part of the country throughout the year.
2. What message do all Indian festivals convey?
Answer: All festivals convey the message of love, brotherhood, and unity among people, promoting harmony and togetherness.
3. Which festival celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana?
Answer: The festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijyadashmi, celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
4. When is Dussehra usually celebrated?
Answer: Dussehra is usually celebrated in the month of October, marking the end of Navratri and the victory of virtue over vice.
5. What is another name for Dussehra?
Answer: Dussehra is also called Vijyadashmi, which literally means “the tenth day of victory”.
6. How long before Dussehra is the Ramlila staged?
Answer: The Ramlila is staged ten days before Dussehra, narrating the life and deeds of Lord Rama through enactments and dramas.
7. What is Ramlila?
Answer: Ramlila is a dramatic enactment of the stories from Lord Rama’s life, performed on stage during the night for ten days leading up to Dussehra.
8. Who watches the Ramlila performances?
Answer: Thousands of people from towns and cities watch the Ramlila with great reverence, devotion, and enjoyment.
9. How is the marriage of Rama and Sita celebrated during Dussehra?
Answer: The marriage of Rama and Sita is celebrated with great pomp and show, and a marriage procession passes through the main streets of the city.
10. What do spectators do during the marriage procession?
Answer: The spectators line up in the streets to witness the marriage procession of Rama and Sita, enjoying the decorated floats and festive atmosphere.
11. How are the bazaars decorated during Dussehra?
Answer: The bazaars are decorated with lights, and many stalls selling sweets, gifts, and toys are set up for the enjoyment of people.
12. Where is the grand celebration held on the last day of Dussehra?
Answer: On the last day, a grand celebration is held in an open ground outside the city, where the effigies of Ravana and his family are set up.
13. Whose effigies are set up during Dussehra celebrations?
Answer: The effigies of Kumbhkarna, Ravana, and his son Meghnad are set up for the ceremonial burning.
14. How do people dress for the last day celebrations?
Answer: Men, women, and children wear gala dresses and assemble in the open ground two to three hours before sunset.
15. What do children enjoy at the Dussehra ground?
Answer: Children enjoy fun and amusement at the fair, including rides, games, and watching the festivities around the effigies.
16. How is the burning of effigies carried out?
Answer: Towards sunset, fireworks are set off, and Rama and Lakshmana come in a chariot. Rama shoots arrows at the effigies, which are set on fire.
17. What happens to the effigies within a few minutes?
Answer: Within a few minutes, the effigies are reduced to ashes, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
18. How do fireworks and crackers add to the celebration?
Answer: Crackers and shells explode with a deafening sound, adding excitement, grandeur, and a festive atmosphere to the event.
19. What message does the burning of Ravana’s effigy convey?
Answer: The burning of Ravana’s effigy gives the message of the victory of virtue over vice and good over evil.
20. How do people feel after the grand finale?
Answer: After the burning of effigies, people return home in a joyous mood, feeling happy and satisfied with the celebration.
21. Which cities’ Dussehra celebrations are world-famous?
Answer: The Dussehra celebrations of Kullu and Mysore are world-famous and attract tourists from all over the globe.
22. How is the festival of Dussehra linked to Indian culture?
Answer: Dussehra is linked to Indian culture as it celebrates moral values, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil, reflecting India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
23. What are the key features of Dussehra celebrations?
Answer: The key features include Ramlila enactments, decorated bazaars, processions, funfairs, and burning of effigies.
24. Why do people assemble two to three hours before sunset?
Answer: People assemble early to get good spots around the effigies and enjoy the festivities, fireworks, and performances before the climax.
25. What is the role of Rama and Lakshmana during the effigy burning?
Answer: Rama and Lakshmana, often represented by performers, shoot arrows at the effigies, symbolizing the destruction of evil forces.
26. Why are the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna, and Meghnad built big?
Answer: The effigies are made large and grand to show the scale of evil and make the destruction symbolic and impressive.
27. How does Dussehra bring the community together?
Answer: Dussehra brings the community together as people of all ages gather to watch Ramlila, participate in fairs, and celebrate the victory of good over evil.
28. How are sweets and gifts part of Dussehra celebrations?
Answer: Many stalls selling sweets, gifts, and toys are set up in bazaars, adding joy and fun for children and adults alike.
29. What is the significance of the marriage of Rama and Sita in Dussehra?
Answer: The marriage symbolizes love, harmony, and the values of dharma, and its celebration adds a cultural dimension to Dussehra.
30. How do fireworks enhance the festival?
Answer: Fireworks create a magical and celebratory atmosphere, drawing attention to the burning of effigies and making the festival lively.
31. How does Dussehra teach moral values?
Answer: Dussehra teaches virtue over vice, good over evil, and the importance of truth, courage, and righteousness through the story of Lord Rama.
32. How long do Ramlila performances last?
Answer: Ramlila performances last for ten nights, starting ten days before Dussehra, narrating episodes from Lord Rama’s life.
33. How do people decorate the streets during Dussehra?
Answer: People decorate streets with lights, colorful banners, flowers, and festive decorations to celebrate the occasion.
34. How do children enjoy Dussehra besides watching Ramlila?
Answer: Children enjoy fun activities, games, rides, and shopping for sweets, toys, and gifts in the festival bazaars.
35. Why is Dussehra celebrated with such grandeur?
Answer: Dussehra is celebrated with grandeur to honour Lord Rama, celebrate cultural heritage, and spread moral and spiritual lessons.
36. What role do spectators play during the effigy burning?
Answer: Spectators gather in circles around the effigies, cheer, watch fireworks, and participate in the excitement, making it a community event.
37. How do Dussehra celebrations differ in Kullu and Mysore?
Answer: While the essence of Dussehra is the same, Kullu and Mysore are famous for their unique local traditions, grand processions, and cultural displays, attracting tourists worldwide.
38. How is the message of good over evil conveyed through Dussehra?
Answer: The story of Lord Rama defeating Ravana, enacted in Ramlila and symbolized by burning effigies, teaches people that good always triumphs over evil.
39. How do people feel during and after Dussehra celebrations?
Answer: People feel joyous, excited, and inspired, enjoying the festive atmosphere, and reflect on the moral lesson of the victory of virtue.
40. Summarize the Dussehra festival in one sentence.
Answer: Dussehra is a grand Indian festival that celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and brings communities together through Ramlila, fairs, and joyful celebrations.
Answer by Mrinmoee
