On Dussehra it is believed that, Lord Rama killed Ravana, the King of Lanka to rescue his wife Sita. The battle lasted for ten days and Lord Rama had to cut Ravana’s ten heads to kill him. Dussehra is also celebrated for killing of demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga. Dussehra coincides with immersion of Goddess Durga idol. According to another Hindu mythology, King Raghu was asked 140 million coins by Kautsa, to offer his guru in return for his knowledge. King Raghu went to Indra for help who then asked Lord Kuber. Lord Kuber rained coins in the city of Ayodhya. Kautsa gave 140 million coins to his guru and rest to the people of the city. Dussehra spreads the message of the victory of good over sin. Celebration of Dussehra started in the 17th century. During that time, Mysore King ordered the Dussehra celebration in large scale.
Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar. In English calendar it comes in the month of September/October. It is celebrated for nine days and celebrated throughout the country and parts of Bangladesh. Most famous celebration in India is carried out in Mysore, Kolkata, Kullu and parts of Orissa.
On Dussehra, people visits temples, wear new cloths, prepare traditional food and celebrate with family and friends. Plays are organized across many cities portraying the story of Ramayana which shows the killing of Ravana on this day. Ravana statues are burnt in many parts of the country. Out of the nine days in festival, first three days, goddess is fierce, the next three days goddess is gentle and last three days goddess represent knowledge and enlightenment. If you invest on the first three days, which is called tamas, you will be powerful in one way. If you invest on the second three days, known as rajas you will be powerful in different way. The last three days are called sattava you will be powerful in completely different way. Vijayadashami is considered as the day of victory.