Bhubaneswar, Oct 15: The nation is today celebrating Dussehra festival, also known as Vijayadashami with much fervour and zeal amid Covid-19 protocols.

Dussehra marks the end of Navratri and denotes victory of good over evil to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasur.

It is also celebrated in many parts of the country to mark the victory of Lord Rama over ten-headed demon king of Lanka, Ravana.

The Hindu festival is observed on Shukla Paksha Dashmi during the month of Ashwin as per Hindu lunar calendar.

The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit words dasha (ten) and hara (defeat) that signifies Goddess Durga’s victory over the 10-headed demon king of Lanka – Ravan.

The festival is celebrated grandly across the country. Ramleela – theatrical enactment of Lord Ram’s life story is organised on all nine days of Navratri culminating with the killing of Ravana and burning of his huge effigy on the day of Dussehra.