Come Navratri and Durga Puja, there is a string of festivals that we are ready to welcome. The nine-day long celebration ends with Dussehra. For the unversed, Dussehra is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil. Legend has it that Lord Rama’s wife Sita was abducted by the demon Ravana and the day Lord Rama managed to defeat the demon and destroy his ten heads, has been celebrated as Dussehra ever since. The term Dussehra refers to dus meaning ten and hara meaning defeat.
Called as Vijaydashmi is several other parts of the country, Dussehra coincides with the tenth day of Navratri, marking an end to the fight on which several Ramlilas are conducted across the country. Now, when goodness and positivity is prevailing all around you, shouldn’t you be bringing in some good luck at home too? This Dussehra, here are some special foods that are believed to attract good luck in your lives.
1. Curd
If you’ve got nothing sweet to commence something new, dahi-cheeni is most basic way to wish luck for a good start in India. Right from being a healthy and refreshing treat, it is spruced up in several ways by being used in curries and desserts alike. During Durga Puja, it is even offered as prasad to the deity.
2. Fafda Jalebi
I remember fafda jalebi as Jethalal’s favourite Sunday breakfast from the tv series Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma. Little did I know, this dish has a far deeper historic connection. Legend has it that Lord Rama’s favourite sweet Shashkuli, which is the present-day jalebi was paired with fafda to be eaten on this day. The latter is combined because Hindus believe that fasts should end with a gram-based dish.
3. Paan
Now, this might come as a surprise to you but Meghnath and Kumbhakana celebrated Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana with a paan. Hence, the tradition has stuck to the day’s festivities in parts of Bihar and UP.
4. Sweet Dosa
In the south, sweet dosa is a traditional dish to mark the Vijaydashmi. The dosa is stuffed with coconut and jaggery and eaten with a slice of butter on top. This is considered to be auspicious and believed to welcome good luck, especially in Karnataka.