The bright tenth day of the Ashwin month of the Hinducalendar has great significance in the religious and cultural life of GoanHindus as the day is celebrated with various rituals as Dussehra.
In some areas, the day is celebrated in remembrance of thetradition of warfare which was the part and parcel of routine life in the past.Rajendra Kerkar, an environmentalist from Bicholim says, “Battles were foughtfor survival and warriors launched their campaigns for expansion andconsolidation of the kingdom.
This was done mainly in the autumn and the day of Dussehrawas considered to be the most auspicious occasion to undertake the campaign.”
According to mythology, before Arjun went into hiding(adnyatvas), he placed all his weapons in the hollow trunk of the Shami tree.But on this day, when the Kaurava army was herding away King Virat’s cattle,Arjun pulled out his weapons from the Shami tree, confronted the army anddefeated them. It is believed that Lord Rama too slayed Ravana and emergedvictorious on this day. To signify these events, this day has been namedVijayadashmi. In the past, the time after the day of Dussehra was consideredappropriate for fighting wars. Bindiya Bakhale from Ponda adds, “As a practice,the weapons and the chariots used to be worshipped to seek the Almighty’s graceand blessings for victory over the enemy.
With changing times, the weapons made way for variousinstruments and tools used in one’s profession and the chariot was replaced bypresent-day vehicles.
Thus, the tools, instruments and vehicles are worshipped onthe day of Dussehra and blessings are sought for well-being.
In many temples of Goa, Dussehra is related with the‘Tarangotsav’ which is unique and celebrated only in Goa. The tarangassymbolically represent insignias of gods and goddesses.
The wooden poles fitted with the symbol of blessing hands ofthe deities are decorated with saree and are then taken into procession fromtemples to houses of the devotees associated with the temple of villagedeities.
All in all, the celebrations differ from place to place. Butthe festive fervour and devotion is something that stays unchanged.
