why is dussehra celebrated

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated to honor the victory of good over evil. The primary story behind Dussehra comes from the Indian epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana, who had kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita. This victory symbolizes the triumph of righteousness over evil. Additionally, in some regions, Dussehra commemorates Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, representing the victory of the divine feminine over evil forces. The festival marks the end of the nine-day Navratri festival and is celebrated with various rituals, performances, and the burning of effigies of Ravana as a symbol of eradicating evil. Overall, Dussehra encourages people to embrace virtues like honesty, courage, and morality and reminds them that good ultimately prevails over evil.