One derivation of the word Dussehra is from dashhara. ‘Dash’ means ten and ‘hara’ means defeated. Nine days before Dussehra, in the nine days of Navaratri, all the ten directions are saturated with the female deity’s (devi’s-Shakti) energy. ‘Shakti’ has control over creation in all the ten directions (dikbhav), attendants (gan), etc. That is why this day is known as Dashhara, Dussehra, Dassera, Vijayadashami, etc. This is one amongst the three and a half auspicious period (muhurts) of the year. This falls on the tenth day (dashami) of the bright fortnight of Ashvin. The immersion of the Navaratri (female deity) is done on the ninth day (navami) or the tenth day.
Four rituals namely crossing the territory (Simollanghan), worship of the Shami tree (Shamipujan), worship of the deity Aparajita (Aparajitapujan) and worship of instruments (Shastrapuja) should be performed on this day.
Crossing the territory (Simollanghan)
In this ritual the territory of a village is crossed in the north-east direction in the third part (‘prahar’) of the day, that is in the afternoon. And one should stop at a Shami or Apta tree.
Worship of the Shami tree (Shamipujan)
The Shami tree is worshipped with the recitation of a prayer: “The Shami tree cleanses sins. Its thorns are reddish in colour. It is Lord Rama’s favourite tree and in such a tree Pandavas hid their arms. O Shami, Lord Rama has worshipped you. I now embark upon my journey to victory. May you make it pleasant and free from obstacles”.
Worship of the Apta or Ashmantak tree
The Apta tree is worshipped with the following mantra: “O great Apta (also known as Ashmantak) tree, you are the one who overcomes great defects. Unite me with my friends and destroy my foes”.
Then rice, a betelnut and a gold coin (copper coin as a variant) are placed near the roots of that tree. After circumambulating the tree, some mud from its base and some of its leaves are brought home. Leaves of the Apta are offered as ‘gold’ to God and friends. Conventionally, gold should be gifted by the young to the old.
Worship of the deity Aparajita (Aparajitapujan)
During the worship of the Shami tree, eight petals (Ashtadal) are drawn on the ground and an idol of the deity Aparajita is placed on it and worshipped by chanting the following mantra: “O deity Aparajita, You who adorn a necklace, a glittering golden girdle and who blesses devotees earnestly, bestow victory upon me”.
In some places, this Aparajita-puja is also performed before leaving for the ritual of crossing the territory.
Worship of instruments / weapons (Shastrapuja)
On this day soldiers and the feudal princes clean their weapons, arrange them in a row and worship them. Farmers and artisans too worship their respective implements or instruments. Some also perform this ritual on the ninth day of Navaratra.
The royal way of celebration
Since Dussehra is a festival of triumph, on this day special rituals have been recommended for nobles and kings. This is a festival signifying victory and valour. Before Arjun went into hiding (adnyatvas), he placed all his weapons in the hollow of the Shami tree. But on this day when the Kourav army was herding away King Virat’s cattle, Arjun pulled out his weapons from the Shami tree and confronted the army and defeated them. It is believed that Lord Ramachandra too slayed Ravana and emerged victorious on this day. To signify these events, this day has been named Vijayadashami.
