The Vijayadashami Festival

Vijayadashami is celebrated in various parts of India for many reasons. While at some states, people remember the victory of Durga mata over the demon Mahishasura, in certain northern states, people celebrate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravan. It is also celebrated for the victory of Arjuna (a great warrior from the epic ‘Mahabharata’ ) over 100,000 soldiers. The festival thus signifies the victory of good over evil. In the yugas like Satya, Tretha, Dwapara, we had demons outside. In the Kali yuga, each of us have both good and bad qualities. The chanting of mantras and worship help us win over the bad qualities in us.
​
Commemorated at the end of Navaratri(Nine Nights),  Vijayadashami is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartik, the sixth and seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar respectively, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

Celebrating Vijayadashami

The festival is celebrated in different ways across India and Globe. Processions to a river or ocean front carrying clay statues of Gods and Goddesses and they are immersed in the water for dissoultion for farewell.  In Northern India, they burn the effigies of Ravan symbolizing destruction of evil and burn fireworks marking devil’s destruction.

​In Nepal, they call it Dashain and the youngsters visit elders of the family to take blessings. While we celebrate it in many various ways, the best way to start would be to commemorate a new beginning as it signifies the end of troubles and Vijaya Dashami is the best day to make an auspicious start for new learning.  Hence in India, the schools take new tiny tots who start education on the Vijaya Dashami. Parents initiate the children into education by doing their Aksharaabhyasam on this day

Gurudakshina on Vijayadashami

The Vijayadashami day is the tenth and final day of the Navratri celebrations, and is considered auspicious for beginning learning in any field. The process of learning and initiation on this day is also closely related to the Ayudha Puja ritual. This is also considered a day when the Goddess of learning, Saraswati, and teachers (gurus) must be revered by giving Gurudakshina. 
​

Vijayadashami is auspicious for Aksharabhyasam

Aksharabhyasam is also known as Vidyarambham. The ceremony of Vidyarambham (Vidya means "knowledge", arambham means "beginning") for children is held in temples and in houses. It is a common practise for thousands of people to visit temples to initiate their children into learning. Initiation into the world of syllabary usually begins with the writing of the mantra.

Start Carnatic Music Lessons on Vijayadashami

Music is considered as direct medium of communion with God and the best of knowledge one can acquire to find joy, it would be the best choice to make a great start for an amazing musical journey. In Indian Mythology, it is believed that Music is the only knowledge that gets passed on not only generation after generation but also lives. Such is the power of Music!
​
Raaga School of Music is happy to announce that new batches are open for enrollment from October 18, 2020. Please sign up for courses on Vocal and Instrumental for Carnatic and Hindustani School of Music at www.raagaschool.com

Choose the right School and Guru

Our faculty at The Raaga School of Music knows the importance of teaching students about all the historical nuances of our rich cultural heritage and traditions. We strongly believe in our commitment to inspiring and teaching the next generation of musicians. 

For a no-obligations  trial with one of our esteemed Gurus, please fill out the form. We can help you schedule a Carnatic Music lesson (Carnatic Vocal, Flute, Violin, Mridangam). You can also visit our studios here in one of our four location in San Jose, Saratoga, Fremont or Foster City. Quite a few of our students also attend our online-only lessons. 


Author: Y. Gomathi