This is one of the most important festivals in India, celebrated throughout the country. It is believed that on the 10th day of this festival, which is called Vijayadashami, we have won over evil, and that is an auspicious day to start something new. This festival is celebrated in different forms and has different significance in many places in India.
If you go to every state, they will have their own story to share about this festival. In the north, it is celebrated as Durga Pooja, and it is very famous. In the south, it is celebrated as Navarathri or Saraswathi Pooja, and the history is almost similar. This is one of the best socializing festivals that is celebrated in India.
Showcase the craft skills
This is the time when people have some decorations done at home. They keep idols of different gods and invite guests to their houses. Every year a theme is selected and decorations are done according to that theme. Some people keep it very simple and arrange the idols that have at home but some people take it very seriously and make it look like an exhibition. There used to be a time when there were competitions held on this where people participated to come up with the best show. This placing of idols is called Golu.
I still remember that in one of the years, I did some craft work related to world peace. It was the time when Bush Vs Bin Laden was a popular theme. I remember I also did some train exhibitions in one of the years.
Each day one healthy snack
To offer to the god, every evening there is a snack done and given to the people who are visiting the house. They also have an order for that and on that particular date, that particular snack is cooked. Mostly it is a healthy one with lots of protein. People visit other houses even to taste these good snacks. They prepare a similar thing in their house and share it with others too.
Ladies have fun
They say this festival is for ladies mostly because they dress up in the evenings with traditional attire and visit neighbors and friends to call them to visit the Golu in their houses. It is mostly enjoyed by the ladies of the house because they have lots of things to do during this time. This is also the time when people exchange gifts with each other. We can even say that this is something like an Indian version of a Thanksgiving opportunity.
There are also many cultural events organized everywhere where people exhibit their talents. It can be musical events or it can be dance events organized in temples and other places. When people visit other people's houses, they also sing devotional songs.
People start new things on Vijayadashami
I remember joining Violin classes when I was young on this date. This is when many people join their art (in any form) classes. People who are teaching dance music or crafts can expect new people to join the classes on this particular day. This tradition has been in practice for a very long time. It used to be mandatory for us to study on this particular date to get full blessings from Goddess Saraswathi.
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