Hindu Temple of Las Vegas invites the community to participate in their Annual Dussehra Mela/Carnival on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 3pm onwards.  Come and enjoy some home made food, indulge in some shopping followed by the burning of Ravana and a spectacular fire works at sunset.

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

Dussehra is one of the most popular festival 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 Dusshera 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. Dussehra 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