Worship in this muhurat to attain success! Read the significance of Dussehra, which is celebrated today, i.e. 19 October and mythologies related to it.
Dussehra is celebrated nationwide with joy and merriment today. This festival marks the triumph of goodness over evil. After Sharad Navratri ends, Dussehra is observed on the dashmi of Shukla Paksha. As per mythological beliefs, Lord Ram killed Lord Ravana on this very day, which is why it is also called Vijayadashmi. There is also a ritual called Shastra Puja on this day, where weapons are worshipped.
Dussehra is considered to be one of the auspicious days, and it is said that any task done within this muhurat offers fruitful and sanctified results. Before Dussehra, Navaratri is observed for nine days and ends with Durga Visarjan. The muhurat for Durga Visarjan is either observed early in the morning or during Aprahan period or afternoon on the day of Dussehra. Hence, the idol of Maa Durga can be immersed in water early morning or during afternoon on the day of Vijayadashami.
Find Out: Durga Visarjan Muhurat
| Dussehra Muhurat 2018 | |
| Vijay Muhurat | From 14:00:02 till 14:45:38 |
| Aprahan Puja Timings | From 13:14:26 till 15:31:14 |
Note: Above timings mentioned are effective in New Delhi. Find the Dussehra muhurat and puja vidhi for your city.
Vijay Muhurat on Dussehra
The day of Vijayadashami is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in HInduism. This is one of the three-and-a-half muhurats. The most auspicious muhurats in a year are Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Ashwin Shukla Dashami, Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya and Kartik Shukla Pratipada (half muhurat). This duration is fruitful in case you want to start any new task. Although some specific muhurats are defined for special occasions and puja.
It is said that when sun sets and stars start appear in the sky, then this period is called Vijay Muhurat. During this time, carrying out a pooja garner auspicious results. Lord Shri Ram launched the war against evil Ravana in this period only. At the same time, a tree called Shami had taken the form of Arjun's bow or Dhanush..
Dussehra Puja and Festival
There is the ritual of carrying out Aparajita Pujan on Dussehra, which is done in the afternoon. The rituals of worshipping are as follows:
- Mark a sacred and auspicious place in your home in the north-east direction. This place can be around a temple, garden etc. It would be good if all members of the family get involved in the puja, although it can be done individually.
- Clean that place properly and draw an Ashtadal Chakra (eighth petals of Lotus) using sandal paste.
- Take an oath or sankalp which concludes that you are doing the puja of Devi Aparajita for the betterment of your family or yourself.
- After that, invoke Maa Devi Aparajita in the middle of Ashtadal Chakra while chanting the mantra “अपराजिताय नमः / aparājitāya namaḥ”.
- Now invoke Maa Jaya on the right by chanting the mantra “क्रियाशक्त्यै नमः / kriyāśaktyai namaḥ”.
Mythological Stories Related to Dussehra
According to religious texts, Maa Durga fought with a monster called Mahishasur for nine days and on the tenth day, she eliminated him by killing him, hence protecting the whole universe. Apart from this, in the Treta era, Lord Shri Ram slaughtered Lankapati Ravana, hence the name Dussehra. Since then, the ten-headed statue of Ravan is lit every year as a symbol of this festival signifying the destruction of anger, greed, delusion, intoxication, jealousy, selfishness and ego.
AstroSage wishes all its readers Happy Dussehra!
