Dussehra (Dasara or Dasro in Konkani) is one of the most important and auspicious festivals in Hinduism. This major festival of the Hindu community is celebrated with great fervour all over the world. The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.
Legend has it that Lord Ram defeated the mighty demon Rakshashraj Ravan after a long battle, and Dussehra is the day of Ravan’s destruction. Dussehra is also referred to as Vijayadashmi because it commemorates the victory of goodness and righteousness over the corruption and exploitation by the Asuras (demons).
In another mythological tale, Goddess Durga fought the ferocious demon Mahishasur in a nine-day-long battle and finally managed to defeat him on the day that is known to us as Dussehra. Much like other places in India, Goa also celebrates Dussehra with great gusto.
People perform puja and pray to their Gods and deities, and seek blessings from their elders. Dussehra is connected with receiving good luck. These are the five things considered to bring good luck on Dussehra.
Cleaning residences, commercial buildings and shops:
Hindu gods and goddesses are believed to bless houses and families that keep their residential and work areas clean and tidy. Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesh are believed to shower blessings and good fortune if the house and surroundings are kept clean.
Therefore, one should consider a clean-up of the house and place of employment or business on this day. You could also consider sprinkling some gomutra, burning some incense sticks, etc, just to make your place smell fresh.
Buying gold, clothes and equipment:
Dussehra is associated with a new or fresh beginning. People buy gold ornaments, vehicles, flats, houses, equipment, etc. Gold is associated with Goddess Laxmi and is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to oneself. Some people also consider it an auspicious day to start business ventures.
Worshipping weapons, tools and vehicles:
On this day, Hindu families have a tradition of worshipping weapons, work tools, and vehicles used for locomotion. It is a way of showing gratitude and appreciating that these tools have played an important role in achieving our goals. People apply tilak and offer marigold flowers to the main door (or threshold) of the residence, to the tools and the weapons on Dussehra. This is believed to bring good luck and success to those who use them next.
Offering prasad (vadi) to the local deities, Kuldevta and Pitrs (spirits of departed ancestors):
In Goa, some Hindu families offer prasad (vadi) to their ancestors and pay homage to them, seeking blessings on Dussehra. At home, sweet delicacies like shrikhand puri and godshe are prepared).
Cows and other domestic animals are fed. It is believed that feeding hungry animals on Dusshera will bring good fortune to the benefactor.
Distributing sonpatta, apta, or Bauhinia racemose leaves to loved ones:
There is a legend in Hindu mythology related to apta, or aapti leaves and Dussehra. According to the story, ages ago, there was a sage named Rishi Varatantu, who taught several subjects to his disciples. There was one disciple named Kautsa who insisted on offering gurudaskshina to his master Varatantu.
The rishi purposely asked Kautsa to pay 14 crore gold coins as gurudakshina, one crore for each subject he taught. Kautsa then went to King Raghuraj, the ancestor of King Ram, and requested the gold coins from him. The king was unable to donate the coins since he had donated a lot of wealth during a yagnya.
King Raghuraj requested Kautsa for a time of three days and then decided to conquer Swargalok. Threatened with this plan of King Raghuraj, Devraj Indra instructed Lord Kuber to shower 14 crore gold coins on an aapti tree.
Kautsa took these coins and offered them to his guru Varatantu, who refused to accept these coins. Kautsa kept this offering under the aapti tree and asked local people to take these offerings. Since then, on Dussehra, aapti leaves are distributed among loved ones as a gesture of donating gold, which is believed to bring prosperity and wealth.