Hindu Temple and Jain Center of Las Vegas invites the community for their much-awaited Annual Dusshera Mela on Sunday, October 13th from 3 pm to 9 pm.

Bring in the whole family & friends and enjoy some homemade food, indulge in some shopping followed by the burning of Ravana and a spectacular fireworks at sunset.

The festival of Dushera or Vijay Dashmi celebrates the Hindu god Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana and the triumph of good over evil – a victory of God Ram over Ravana.  In that spirit, your Hindu Mandir is once again celebrating Dushera with a carnival of homemade gourmet delicacies from different regions of India, children activities, ethnic shopping, and burning of effigies of Ravana.

Dushera is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by Hindus all over the world, albeit with different names. It is also known as Vijayadashmi (‘Vijay’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘Dashmi meaning ‘tenth day), as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed the demon-king, Ravana.   It signifies the triumph of good over evil. The legendary triumph is reenacted to the day.

All over India, actors dressed as Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana enact the final moments of the battle. After the enactment of the climax of the war with Ravana, the character playing Rama shoots an arrow with a flaming tip at the huge effigies of Ravana, his giant brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath. It is common to put fireworks and crackers inside the massive effigies. 

Some Hindus also celebrate Dushera as a part of their main festival – Durga Puja. This day marks the end of Durga Pooja celebrations, the preceding nine days being collectively referred to as ‘Navratri’. Vijayadashmi is dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga.  On Vijayadashmi, the idols of Goddess Durga are immersed into water, after the nine days of festivities. Dusshera is one festival which is celebrated in all parts of India with carnivals, plays, and other forms of entertainment and is also a beginning of the holiday/festival season in India which ends on Diwali.   Hindu Temple of Las Vegas is located at 1701 Sageberry Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89144.  Phone: 702.304.9207