By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore
Dasara is one of the most popular festivals in India but celebrated in a variety of ways in different parts of the country. The underlying factor is victory of good over evil, which has been our motto from the Puranic times to the present. In fact, every country in the world has this as its aim and it should be so, even if there are different political systems and ideologies. This also strengthens our ideology of unity in diversity. The word ‘Navaratri’ is of greater antiquity as compared to the word ‘Dasara.’ The word Dasara is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dashahara’ meaning ten days. They are calculated from ‘Shukla Padya’ to ‘Dashami’ of the month of ‘Ashvayuja’ of each year in Hindu cyclic calendar. Actually Navaratri is the festival of Mother Goddess. This Goddess amalgamated all power and prowess from no less than Gods Shiva, Vishnu and Agni to protect the good from the evil. Thus was born Devi, the indomitable energy personified, who performed her task and brought joy to the good. The Goddess assumed the nine forms as follows:
