Auspicious start:A priest performing puja to new two-wheelers and other vehicles, that formed a long queue at Sampath Vinayaka temple at Asilmetta. in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Visakhapatnam, October 14, 2013: Dasara celebrates the end of demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga while some others believe that it was the day when the ten-headed king Ravana met his end at the hands of Lord Rama.

The reason might vary from community to community and so do the beliefs. However, the essence of Dasara symbolises ‘the triumph of good over evil’. And that is what makes Dasara so special. The nine-day festival that began on Sudha Padyami of Ashvija Masam is coming to a close on Monday where the traditional households celebrate ‘Vijayadasami’.

With colourful rangoli designed and strings of mango leaves tied to the entrance, every home dons a fresh look.

According to the thithi, for some, Vijayadasami began on Sunday afternoon itself.

The massive Cyclone Phailin, the curfew in Vizianagaram and Samaikyandhra agitation have been forgotten for the moment and people made their way to the shopping malls, markets and temples to gear up for the concluding day of the festival.

Showrooms witnessed last hour rush with children and family members thronging the malls to pick up the best pieces. “Comparatively, the sale had considerably come down this year. But for the last two days, the business has gradually started picking up,” explained P. Krishnakanth of Westside.

Those who visited CMR Central were in for a pleasant surprise as Radio City 91.1 FM hosted Radio City Super Singers contest where five final contestants Mounika, Sridhar, Nikitha, Soundarya and Akhila, out of 4,286 registered participants, entertained the audience with a mix of old and new Telugu filmy numbers.

At Asilmetta, the stretch opposite Sampath Vinayagar Temple was choked as a number of autos, cars and two-wheelers were seen waiting for their turns to get puja done to their vehicles.

Women were seen visiting temples and participating in mass recitation of slokas while the markets were overcrowded with shoppers picking up flowers, vegetables and the likes for the festival.

Source: The Hindu, October 14, 2013