Dussehra 2024: How Schools Are Celebrating, Importance, Significance

About Dussehra

One of the most significant and revered Hindu festivals, the Dussehra holiday is observed nationwide. This event commemorates Lord Rama's triumph over Ravana. On Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina, the Dussehra celebrations happen. Dussehra's 2024 celebration will be observed on October 12, 2024.

Dussehra celebrations in India represent the victory of good over evil.

The celebration is a representation of the Rama and Ravana mythology. Sita, the revered Indian princess, was taken hostage by the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama successfully defeated the strong and wicked King Ravana by saving his wife. The 10-day Dussehra festival comes to an end on the Dussehra holiday, which falls on the tenth day. Large sculptures of Ravana are erected and placed in open areas on the day of Dussehra. In order to let people follow the path of virtue and goodwill all year long, these effigies are burned along with the evil they stand for.

Also Read | Dussehra: History, Importance, And Why Do We Celebrate It?

Importance Of Dussehra

Due to the diverse cultures and traditions present in India, there are numerous methods to celebrate the Dussehra festival. As a celebration of Goddess Durga's victory over the evil demon Mahishasura, the Dussehra festival is observed throughout the eastern and southern states. Dussehra celebrations are significant since it begins on the first day of Navratri and lasts for nine days. The Dussehra celebrations are done with great fervour and splendor. In North India, there is a great theatrical production of Rama's life story called Ram Lila. At night, effigies of Ravana are set ablaze in open areas, frequently along with those of his brother Kumbhkarana and son Meghnada.

In other ways, the celebration of this holiday represents the triumph of virtue over evil. According to Hindu legend, Goddess Durga banished monster Mahishasura from the planet on this day. Similar to this, according to various stories, Lord Rama confronted and vanquished the Demon King Ravana on this day. So, it is clear that the results of both occurrences are the same. The result of good triumphing over evil, truth over falsehoods, and light over darkness. Thus, despite any differences in belief, people celebrate the same essence across the nation. This is the importance of Dussehra.

Continue reading to know more about the significance of Dussehra.

Also Read | 10 Lines On Dussehra For School Students

Significance Of Dussehra

The term "Dussehra" is broken into the two components "Dus," which means "ten," and "Hara," which means "defeat," to represent the one with ten heads that Lord Ram specifically destroyed on this day of Vijaydhashami. Lord Vishnu's seventh manifestation, Lord Ram, slaughtered Havana and his army. The victory of the goddess Durga over Mahishasur is also commemorated on this day.

Dussehra festival celebrations last for ten days in the northern, western, and central regions of India. The Ramayana has inspired people to stage dance and theatre productions. Ram-Leela is the name given to these plays and sketches, which are well-known worldwide. However, the festival of Dussehra is observed very differently in the eastern and southern regions of India. It is also one of the most eagerly awaited holidays in Hindu culture and is often known as Durga Puja. This is the significance of Dussehra.

Also Read | विजयदशमी अथवा दशहरा पर निबंध (Essay on Dussehra or Vijayadashmi in Hindi)

Dussehra Celebrations In Schools

India as a whole celebrates the Dussehra festival with great fervour, grandeur, and display. The holiday celebrations are unaffected by cultural differences. The celebration is conducted with the same zeal and energy in schools. Below, we have provided a list of events that have been organized in Dussehra over the years. It will also provide an insight into how to celebrate dussehra in school with great zeal and vigour.

Dussehra Celebration In Schools Over the Years

Let us take a look at how schools celebrated Dussehra in 2023

Dussehra Celebrations In Schools- Apeejay School, Faridabad

To keep the holiday spirit alive, Apeejay School, Faridabad had Dussehra festival celebrations for the kids of primary school. Children learned about the significance of the Dussehra celebration via a variety of performances. To celebrate Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and to acknowledge the triumph of good over evil, a special assembly was held. Headmistress Ritu Kanwar urged the students to take the moral course. She emphasised that while there are several names for the Dussehra festival, its fundamental tenet—the victory of virtue over evil—remains the same.

Apeejay School, Faridabad

Dussehra Celebrations In Schools- Amity International School, Sector-46, Gurugram

Ramayana: The Epic was performed by pupils of Class 1 at Amity International School in Sector-46, Gurugram, on September 22, 2023. To raise students' understanding of the great Indian social ideals and rich mythical culture, the Ramayana narrative was presented in a series of scenes that incorporated song, narration, recitation, and dialogue. The faculty and students received praise from the staff and administration for their diligence and innovation.

Amity International School, Sector-46, Gurugram

Dussehra Celebrations In Schools- The Indian School, New Delhi

In 2023, The Indian School, in New Delhi had its Dussehra celebrations. “The preschool instructors held a special assembly for their little Indian students. They each took a turn acting out a scene from the great epic Ramayana. Additionally, they explained to the kids how and why the Dussehra festival is celebrated. Lord Ram was portrayed by Simran Kaur, and the narrative was presented by Shweta Mastal with expression and vocal modulation. They emphasised the importance of deferring to and honouring our elders. In any challenging circumstance, it's critical to maintain your composure like Lord Ram. Sita was portrayed by Neha Arora, who embodied her great features and noble traits. Hanuman, a devoted follower of Lord Ram, was demonstrated by Aditi Gupta as having enormous power while still being a representation of humility. Children played and sang "Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram, Ram Ram Jai Sita Ram," keeping the celebration's beat. A craft project carried out in class served to summarise the Dussehra festival”, says the school website.

The Indian School, New Delhi

Dussehra Celebrations In Schools- GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow

In 2023, GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow had virtual Dussehra celebrations. “Students were told the reason behind why we celebrate Dussehra festival through a PowerPoint presentation and a film. All of the professors went into great length on the significance and customs associated with this holiday. Children from Pre-Nursery to Class 2 took part in and enjoyed a variety of activities. Children also enthusiastically created Dussehra crafts. Ravana cutouts were created by Pre-Nursery through K.G. students using scrap paper. I coloured an image of Ravana that I sketched and showed to the class. Kids' speaking about one such habit they vow to avoid was also encouraged by the teachers. Students made a commitment and detailed one habit they would give up, along with how they would go about doing it. Teachers gave Class II pupils a PowerPoint presentation about the Dussehra festival and discussed the significance of the celebration.” says the school website.

GD Goenka Public School, Lucknow