Today is the festival of Vijayadashami; Dussehra, Dasara, Dashain and Bijoya.This sacred day marks the end of the Navaratri/Durga rituals and marks Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Rama also observed Durga puja and secured the Devi’s blessings which led to his victory over Ravana, which is also observed today. The day also recalls the Mahabharata, where the Pandava brothers recovered their weapons after a year in hiding.
Vijayadashami is one of the most important festivals for Hindus within the armed forces, police and security services. The ritual of Ayudha Puja is performed today, where weapons are anointed, and Durga’s blessings are sought for the year ahead. In several regions, Vijayadashmi is also sacred to Saraswati, the Hindu deity of knowledge, education and the arts. Young children are blessed by Saraswati and are initiated into education by writing their first letters during the ritual of Vidya-arambha.
About the image:Effigies of Ravana are also burned on Dussehra as part of days of theatrical performances of the Ramayan.This is a vintage photo of Ravana’s burning captured in 1930s Baluchistan (present day Pakistan).
In 1931, Hindus were 6.2% of the population of Baluchistan. The 2023 census states that the Hindu population has fallen to a mere 0.41%. Baluchistan is home to the Hinglaj Shaki Peeth, one of the last active Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan.