Dussehra the defeat of evil is one of the most famous Hindu holidays in Southeast Asia. The festival has multiple names in different parts of India. Where Nepalese call it Dashain, it is also known as Golu in Tamil Nadu, Dussehra in Punjab, and Vijayadashami in other regions of South India. It translates as “defeat of the ten'' and is derived from the Sanskrit terms ``Dus” and “Hara.” It refers to Rama’s conquest over the 10-headed Ravana.
Many people believe this festival to be a tangible symbol of India’s multicultural society because it is celebrated in essentially every corner of the country, but in diverse ways, with various narratives, traditions, and festivities. Dussehra is celebrated in September or October, signaling the end of the hot summer and/or rainy season and the beginning of the more excellent season. It is mainly a celebration of good triumphing over evil and virtue triumphing over sin, as symbolized by Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana.
History and Origin
Dussehra has been celebrated in Hindu culture for hundreds of years; however, the religious importance differs by area. Dussehra commemorates the tenth day of Rama’s epic fight with Ravana when Rama overcame Ravana and won the war. The celebrations in this town begin a few days before Dussehra. Usually, they include the staging of Ram-Leela, an elaborately dressed performance that re-enacts episodes from the Ramayana, a sacred Hindu religious text, for the community. Additionally, on the tenth and last day, the effigies of Ravana and other Ramayana villains are built, paraded, and finally burned.
In Bengal, Dussehra is the finale of the significant Durga Utsav, which commemorates Durga’s victory over Mahishasur. Dussehra is celebrated in Gujarat at the end of the nine-day Navratri festival, in which daily events incorporate the famous Garba and Dandiya dances.
This festival, known in Tamil Nadu as Vijayadashami and in Karnataka as Dasara, is primarily a celebration of many feminine goddesses. Mysore Dasara is mainly observed in Karnataka, and it marks the end of a ten-day festival commemorating the goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over a powerful asura (demon).
Sources of Inspiration
Clothing and decoration are essential aspects of each Indian festival and are defined mainly by the rites being performed and the mythology being commemorated. Wearing new clothes on Dussehra day is necessary for most places, with ethnic outfits like sarees, salwar kameez, kurta pajamas, and sherwanis being the most appropriate choices. Furthermore, because the celebration commemorates the triumph of virtue over evil, the color palette is typically bright and lively, with many beautiful embroidery and embellishments to convey the joyful attitude.
Nature of Festive Clothing at Dussehra
The pomp and magnificence of celebration extend to the celebrants’ attire and accessories at Dussehra, as it does at any Hindu festival. A heavy and richly embroidered Indian fabric (whether it is a saree, lehenga choli, or sherwani) and ethnic jewelry such as maang tikkas, anklets, and bangles, as well as necklaces and earrings, are common aspects. However, each region has its variety. In India, gold is regarded as the metal of the gods, and it is the most appropriate metal for today.
Often garlands of fresh flowers are worn in the hair. For women, make-up is also distinctive, especially in the areas where Dussehra is celebrated as the day of goddess worship; for instance, in Bengal, women are expected to have the giant red bindi on their forehead and thick kohl on their eyes.
Style and Variety
During Dussehra, each country's region has its own rites and customs, which extend to the way people dress. The actors in the Ram-Leela wear intricate, bold, and colorful costumes. In contrast, those celebrating the festival wear traditional attire like salwar kameez and sarees in brilliant celebratory colors of red, yellow, green, blue, pink, and purple. Traditional dress, including kurtas and sherwanis, is also worn by men. Clothing with complex embroidery and embellishments, such as zari and gotta Patti, is frequently acquired specifically for this occasion and worn with heavy jewelry.
Durga Pooja is the most important Hindu holiday in Bengal, and it is celebrated with much pomp and magnificence. Women wear exquisite festive sarees for all nine days of the festival, while men wear costly sherwanis. For Dussehra, the most traditional and magnificent clothing items are reserved; for women, a Bengali-style Indian saree is a requirement, while for males, sherwanis, Jodhpuri suits, and other classic Indian styles are chosen. Both require red and white, as this is a very fortunate color combination for Bengalis, which takes on even more significance during Dussehra. Married women, in particular, are encouraged to wear bright red saree and gold jewelry.
Women dress up in distinctive regional clothing with many brilliant colors and ornaments during Navratri and Dussehra in Gujarat, which is one of the most colorful holidays in India. The ghagra choli is the favored attire for the dandiya and Garba dances, thanks to the vast, circular fall of the skirt, which is ideal for the intricate twirls and in-steps required throughout the dance.
Traditional ones feature a lot of mirror work, patch border motifs, and bright stitching. These are usually constructed of cotton to make them pleasant to wear while dancing. A different ‘color’ is regarded as the most auspicious on each day of Navratri. The most elaborately crafted and heavy costume is worn on a penultimate day, Dussehra. The ensemble is completed with thick white and red bangles, armlets, rings, and metallic anklets in terms of jewelry.
Silk sarees are the preferred attire during Dussehra in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Women don their most opulent Kanjeevaram or Mysore silk sarees, complete with heavy gold borders. Bright colors, elaborate goldwork, zari weaving, and temple borders are all commonplace here. Men’s clothing is typically white or off-white dhoti kurtas with Angavastram, which are thick, colorful, and richly designed scarves. Heavy silks with metallic borders are commonly used.
Present Day Scenario
For a holiday like Dussehra, it is not uncommon to see more cosmopolitan, trendy ethnic clothes. Many ladies enjoy experimenting within established parameters: while they may still wear a red and white saree, they may opt for a more inventive shape or a different fabric, such as net or velvet. Lehenga cholis with heavy stonework and sequins motifs, printed silk sarees, Anarkali salwar kameez, and Nehru suits are some of the more stylish ethnic outfits seen at Dussehra celebrations around the country.
Facts and Trivia
- It is often believed that if you wear a new outfit on Dussehra, you will receive ten new outfits in the coming year.
- During this celebration, women take center stage, and many of the beliefs surrounding Dussehra honor the strength of female deities.
- The holiday is frequently associated with the adoration of knowledge and abilities, and in South India, children begin kindergarten on the last day of the festival.
PCL Clothing Ideas
PCL has a variety of outfits available on our website. Now, if you want to buy something special for Dussehra, check the listing below.
Chanderi Silk Kurta with Gold Embroidery: Meera collection
This exquisite white and peach hand Chanderi silk kurta comes with palazzo and organza dupatta. It comes with a Chanderi silk palazzo and an organza dupatta that match. The needlework is straight from the Awadh court. The perfect spring and summer outfit. Enjoy this incredible and gorgeous set element as semi-formal or casual wear by adding it to your wardrobe.
Cotton Printed Kurta with Designer Dupatta: Gulmohar Collection
A traditional Kurta, pants, and dupatta combination is easy to wear and has a lovely flowery texture on the fabric that complements the design and linen. The cotton printed pintuck kurta with pants and dupatta is a three-piece set that includes a beautiful green, red, and mustard cotton patterned kurta and comfy white cotton pants and a green dupatta for a classic Indian style. It is available in various sizes, ranging from XS to 3XL, allowing anyone to wear and enjoy them. It is suitable for people of different body types and sizes. The green cotton printed kurta has a lovely color that extends above the knees, and the white pants contrast beautifully with the complementary color dupatta.
Chikankari Cotton Kurta: Fiza Collection
A straight cotton Chikankari kurta and white cotton pants with lace details are included in this Fiza Chikankari cotton kurta with white pants set. On spotless Mul, the costume portrays the majesty of Chikankari. The cotton kurta’s delicate embroidery is inspired by the Awadh court, while the breezy shapes depict the soft summery colors. Add this stunning pair of Chikankari cotton kurta and pants to your wardrobe collection for summer or spring. Light green, dusty pink, brown, grey, teal blue, and purple are just a few of the gorgeous pastel colors offered.
This is just the trailer of the entire picture of the PCL collection. Check out more great designer clothes and then buy them at an affordable price today.
