Kota Dussehri Festival

The Kota Dussehri festival is another name for Dussehra, the festival which is celebrated all over India which marks the triumph of good over evil. It also indicates the victory of Ram, the Hindu deity over the evil Ravan. In northern India, gigantic effigies of the Demon king Ravan are burnt and there's lots of merrymaking and feasting among the populace.

The town of Kota was a part of the kingdom of Bundi in the halcyon days of the Rajputs. It is located on the eastern bank of the Chambal river, in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, which itself, is located in the north western part of India.

The festival of Dussehra (Dussehri) is celebrated in the town of Kota with great fanfare and pomp. In the olden days, the Rajputs were great patriots. They used to worship their weapons on this day. This ritual takes after the ancient legend of Arjun in Mahabharat, who worshipped his weapons on this very same day after a year spent in disguise.

On this day, the town of Kota is lit up like a chandelier. Gaily dressed people, reveling in the festive spirit, throng the streets. The children play with firecrackers and the elders greet each other. Sweets and pleasantries are exchanged all across the town. Even though the festival has Hindu origins, people of all communities participate in this celebration with zest. The Kota Dussehri Festival brings out the spirit of comradeship and unity among the populace of the town.