Dussehra is celebrated with grandeur across all Indian states to commemorate the triumph of good over evil. On this occasion, &TV artists Neha Joshi (Yashoda), Aayudh Bhanushai (Krishna) from Doosri Maa, Kamna Pathak (Rajesh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Vidisha Srivastava (Anita Bhabi), Aasif Shiekh (Vibhuti) from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai talk about the significance of the festival and its celebrations in their hometowns. Regarding celebrations in Maharashtra, Neha Joshi, as Yashoda in &TV’s Doosri Maa says, “Dussehra is a widely celebrated festival in Maharashtra. We begin the day by receiving blessings from our elders and then distributing Apta leaves as part of the Dussehra festivities. Apta leaves symbolise gold, and they are given to friends, relatives, and neighbours to wish them a happy occasion. My Aai always has marigold ‘toran’ (marigold flower garlands) at the entrance to our homes. And it’s no surprise that festive delicacies like Puran Poli and Moong Usual play an important role in my family’s Dussehra celebrations. “I wish everyone a joyous Dussehra.” About Madhya Pradesh’s Dussera celebrations, Kamna Pathak, as Rajesh in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, says, “I am from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and Dussehra has always been a big festival for me. The entire city is decked up as a bride on that day, and the celebration is called ‘Ravan Moksha Diwas’. As kids, my cousins and I used to go to various fairs where Theatrics took place, and the story of Lord Rama and how he defeated Ravana was told. Any Indian festival is incomplete without food. MP Ki Dussera Ki Baat Hi Kuch Aur Hai! Poha-Jalebi, Khasta kachori, Ghevar, and Besan Ladoo were found in every second home that day. May Lord Rama grant us the strength to always fight for what is right in life.” Talking about Dussera’s festive fervour in Uttar Pradesh, Vidisha Srivastava, as Anita Bhabi in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, says, “Ravan Dahan is an important part of the Dussehra celebrations in Uttar Pradesh. The tower of Ravana is set on fire by Lord Rama at different places in the state, depicting the victory of good over evil. Ram Leela is also staged on a grand scale in prominent locations throughout the city. The actors dressed as Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Hanuman use audio-visual devices to perform the epic saga, and the audience cheers as they assassinate the idols of Ravana, Kumbhakaran, and Meghnath”.
About grand celebrations in Gujarat, Aayudh Bhanushali, as Krishna in &TV’s Doosri Maa, says, “Dussehra is known as Navratra in Gujarat. The day starts with eating delicacies like jalebi fafda, but the prime focus here is the beautiful Garba folk dance. The prime aim of the festival is to bring people together and make them dance with multi-coloured wooden sticks while wearing beautiful traditional attire. “May the brightness of Dussehra fill your days with prosperity, success, and cheer. Wishing everyone a very Happy Dussehra.” Lastly, speaking about Dilli Ka Dussehra, Aasif Sheikh, as Vibhuti Narayan Mishra in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, says, “The most prominent thing to do in Delhi during Dussehra is to watch the famous Ramlila at the Luv Kush Ramlila at Lal Quila. I recently visited the city for the celebration, with my co-star Vidisha Srivastava (Anita) and the entire experience, without a doubt, was one of the finest. One must surely visit here to celebrate the long live traditions of Dussehra. Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Vijayadashami!”
Watch Doosri Maa at 8:00 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!
