Kota Dussehra 2020 is not being organized because of the Covid-19 spread.
India is a “Potpourri of Festivals”. It is a thriving country where festivals are “round-the-year”, that help in breaking the mundane routine of life. “Kota Dusshera” does exactly the same, it showers Kota city with festivity, sparkles, delight and breaks the monotonous routine.
Dussehra: The Triumph of Good over Evil
Like every festival in India has a reason or a lesson with the celebration, Dussehra also called Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of good over evil. Dussehra coincides with the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival.
Dussehra Mela of Kota: One of the Dussehra capitals in India
Dussehra is celebrated all over the country but in Kota, the festival is quite unique for it marks the beginning of an extensive festive period. Kota Dussehra 2020 is the 127th Dussehra of Kota.
Kota Dusshera is the Longest Fair in India, known for its month-long celebration (approximately 25 days) and grand extravaganza. Rich in courtly splendor and age-old traditions, the Dussehra festival here is noticeable by a glittering procession, which attracts thousands from the surrounding villages.
On Vijayadashmi, somebody representing the erstwhile royal family shoots an arrow toward the effigy of Ravan which depicts the death of Ravan by the hands of Ram. More than 1 Lac people from Kota and nearby villages reach Dussehra Maidan to witness this event. From the next day onward the series of cultural programs start. Prominent artists from all over the country are invited to participate in various cultural programs.
A little from the history to solve the mystery
The tradition of Dussehra fair was started in 1723 AD by Maharao Durjanshal Singh Hada. Those days, the celebrations used to last 3 days and the height of effigies of Ravan and his family was between 20 to 25 feet. Maharao Ummed Singh II (1889-1940 A.D.) was the one who made Dussehra Mela what it is today. The credit for making this religious event more attractive and colourful goes to Maharao Ummed Singh II.
Ravan Dahan
Ravan Dahan marks the beginning of the fair and celebrations, where effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarna are set ablaze. Usually, these effigies are filled with crackers
Cultural Nights & Performances
With an attempt to rediscover the soul of the festival, an environment of immense euphoria is created through the shows of music and dance and many engaging performances, Kota’s Dussehra Mela has emerged into a capital that flaunts some of the best exhibitions and cultural shows.
Competitions
Various competitions like turban and moustache competition, All India Wushu competition, all India Chambal Kesri wrestling competition, Mahendi, Rangoli, Mandana competition, Mr. & Mrs. Hadoti Competition etc are organised.
Dussehra Delicacies
Food adds more flavors to this mega festival every year. And this time, it’s not any different. Nasirabad Ka Kachora & Pannalal Ke Pakode will once again win our hearts and taste buds!
With each year, the options of delicacies are also increasing, and we couldn’t be happier.
The Epic Maut Ka Kuan
‘Maut ka Kuan’ or the well of death is a thrilling entertainment act native to Kota’s fair.
It’s 10 mins of pure thrill – adrenaline-pumping adventure at its best, in which stuntmen ride their bikes and cars in the confines of a wooden well. The result is gravity-defying moves, which are not for the faint-hearted.
Crazy Rides
Ferris wheel, BreakDance, Caterpillar and many other rides don’t just lure the kids but their parents too. At night these rides are illuminated with colourful lights.
Shopping Market
Like all festivals in Rajasthan, it provides a good chance to the traders to display their attractive wares to the rural and urban buyers.
Exhibitions
Villagers gather here dressed in multicolored clothes to offer prayers to Lord Rama and to celebrate his victory over Ravana. The art and craft fairs and exhibitions are a perennial feature of the town but the annual Dussehra festival holds an unusual lure for everyone. Rajasthani handicrafts are the prized possessions of this Mela.
Approximately 15 lakh people are going to visit the fair. There will be around 1000 shops with different displays & more than 50 fun rides. We recommend visiting Kota Dusshera Mela with your friends and family.
Photo & Video Credits: Zishan Pathan https://www.zishanpathan.com/
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