Celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Ashvina in the Hindu calendar (which generally falls between September–October), Dussehra marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon King of Lanka and devout follower of Lord Shiva, Ravana, and Maa Durga’s victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. Dussehra is the culmination of two Sanskrit words: dasha meaning ten and hara meaning defeat.It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Across India, people commemorate this event with passion and zeal. The day coincides with the end of the nine-day Navratri festival and the tenth-day celebration known as Durga Puja. This year, the Dashami tithi extends across two days, from October 12 to October 13.
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While the Dussehra celebrations unite the entire country, each state’s way of celebrating it differs and reflects the diversity of our country. Among the various aspects of this festival is the sighting of Neelkanth, a bird. Also known as the Indian Roller, Neelkanth is considered an auspicious bird in Hindu mythology. Why? Well, according to a legend, before setting off on his journey to Lanka to kill Ravana, Lord Rama came across a Neelkanth bird. This was seen as a symbol from the gods— a divine sign of guidance and supervision. Since then, people have believed that spotting a Neelkanth bird on Dussehra signifies the protection of the gods. It is widely believed that if you spot a Neelkanth bird on Dussehra, it brings good luck and will remove all obstacles from one’s path to success.
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Another interpretation suggests that after Lord Rama was accused of committing the sin of Brahma-hatya for killing Ravana, he, along with his younger brother Laxman, worshipped Lord Shiva. Pleased with their devotion, Bholenath appeared before them in the form of the Neelkanth bird. Both the bird and the god are blue-necked, hence the bird is often associated with Lord Shiva.
Read more:Happy Dussehra 2024: Images, Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Cards, Greetings, Pictures and GIFs
Read more: 75+ Happy Dussehra messages, greetings, wishes and quotes for 2024
While the belief is harmless, some people have tried to capitalize on it. There have been several reports of ‘bird charmers’ trapping these beautiful birds almost a month before the festivities begin. They catch them, tie their legs, trim their wings, and even glue them so that these birds won’t fly away, catering to people who insist on seeing the bird on Dussehra. This inhumane practice often ends with the bird dying of starvation. The bird catchers set up stalls in front of temples and charge money from devotees who wish to catch sight of these birds. Such inhumane practices should not only be condemned but people should also refrain from them.
Read more: Happy Dussehra 2024: Best Messages, Quotes, Wishes, and Images to share on Vijayadashami
