Dussehra: Mumbai erupts in celebrations

With the nine days of celebrations coming to an end on the occasion of Dussehra on Thursday, Mumbaikars are all set to greet their near and dear ones on Vijayadashami.

Dussehra is the culmination of nine days of rituals, fasting and feasting. While some fast, others visit Durga pandals to offer prayers.

“I normally fast for two days during the nine days of the festival. Tomorrow we will have a pooja in the morning and then we will spend the entire day visiting people,” said Pooja Pathak, 25, a resident of Andheri.

“Durg puja ending is a disheartening thing for us. We have to wait one more year to look at maa, pray to her, wear new Bengali clothes, feast on Moghlai Parotha, Ilish mach, rosogollas and mishti doi,” said Ranjana Ghosal, a personality developtment trainer.

Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. It is known as a celebration of victory of good over evil. Throughout the city, Ramleela is held over the nine days and then witnesses Ravan being defeated with his effigy burnt. “Tomorrow is the last leg of the Ramleela. Ram will defeat  Ravana tomorrow. He will win his battle and get Sita back. We have an effigy of a 28-foot Ravana, which will be burnt,” said Sukhdev Chaturvedi, organiser of Shree Gopal Ramleela Mandal.