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Introduction
Dussehra is the 10th day of the month of Ashwin in the Hindu calendar. Dussehra is a very important festival of the Hindus celebrated all over India especially in North India with loads of fun and zest.
Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over the demon Ravana, the victory of good over evil. Navratri is celebrated for nine days preceding Dussehra.
During this time, Goddess Durga, the powerful female deity is worshipped all over India.
Celebrations
|  | On the 10th day of Ashwin, when people celebrate Dussehra, colossal effigies of Ravana are burned in several places to mark the victory of Ram.
Along with Ravana, effigies of his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are also burned marking an end of all evils.
People dress up as Ram and Lakshman and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies which are loaded with explosives symbolizing the victory of good over evil. |
Mela in Kota
To mark this occasion a large mela called the Dussehra Mela is organized in Kota in Rajasthan. It is one of the biggest melas to be organized in Rajasthan.  | The Dussehra mela attracts thousands of tourists from all over. Ramlila is performed at the meal ground in Kota.
Several items including household items, jewelry are sold in the mela. You can witness a riot of colors in the mela.
Traditional performances, well decorated shops, children dressed as vanar senas are major attractions in this mela.
Weapons are also worshiped during this time as they were an integral part of the Rajputs. (DOU 15102007)
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