Dasara Festival 2010.

In our tradition there are many Festivals that are celebrated throughout the year, some minor, some local and some major. Today is Dasara, a major Festival that is celebrated all over the country, as the victory of good over evil. This is the day on which Goddess Durga Devi killed the demon Mahishasura and Lord Rama killed the evil king Ravana. I posted detailed articles on Dasara Festival and Ayudha Puja along with some photographs last year. You may see these articles by clicking on the following links:

http://srisrilara.blogspot.com/2009/09/wish-you-happy-dasara.html

http://srisrilara.blogspot.com/2009/09/ayudha-pooja_25.html

It has been drizzling in Hyderabad since yesterday. Despite chilly weather and a constant drizzle the festival is being celebrated with the usual gaiety, enthusiasm and fervor. With the Festival falling on a Sunday, many employees have lost a holiday. I spent some time in the morning exchanging Dasara greetings with friends, relatives and acquaintances over phone and through SMS. After offering Puja to the deities at home we carried out Puja to all the vehicles. This was followed by a festive lunch. Then in the evening we went to Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple close to our house putting on new dresses. This Temple Complex has a number of other Temples in it, that of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Santoshi Maatha, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, Sri Sitarama Swamy and Nava Grahalu. After returning from the Temple Complex we offered prayers to the deities at home and then sought the blessings of my mother, brother and sister-in-law. Then there were some guests who visited us to exchange greetings. After dinner we went to my sister’s house at Himayathnagar and sought the blessings of my sister and brother-in-law. It was close to 11:30 PM as we returned home in a heavy rain. The exchange of greetings would continue tomorrow with some close relatives visiting us.