The Indian Embassy in the USA joined the “vibrant” celebration of Dussehra at the ISKCON Temple in Maryland, and lauded the role played by ISKCON in promoting spirituality and interfaith harmony.The details were shared by the Embassy of India in US on Sunday (local time) in a post on X.“The Embassy joined the vibrant Dussehra celebrations at the ISKCON Temple, MD Deputy Chief of Mission Amb. Namya C. Khampa, conveyed greetings on the festival and lauded ISKCON’s role in promoting spirituality and interfaith harmony,” the embassy wrote on X.The event saw participation from Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, and many other Maryland State Government dignitaries and Minister Economic and Minister (CA&P), EoI, the post added.Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu, in her greetings to the nation on the eve of Vijayadashami, highlighted the festival’s message of truth, justice, and harmony.In her message, the President said, “On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens.”“The festival of Vijayadashami, symbolising the victory of Dharma over Adharma, inspires us to follow the path of truth and justice. Celebrated in various parts of the country as Ravana Dahan and Durga Puja, this festival reflects our national values. This festival also teaches us to renounce negative tendencies like anger and ego, and embrace positive ones like courage and determination. May this festival inspire us to build a society and country where all people move ahead together, inspired by the ideas of justice, equality and harmony,” President Murmu said earlier.The ‘Vijyayadashmi’ or ‘Dussehra’ festival is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil. It is believed that Lord Rama killed Ravan on this day, and with this belief, the tradition of burning the effigies of Ravan is observed to symbolise triumph of good over evil. ‘Vijayadashmi’ also marks the culmination of the nine-day-long Navratri festival.It is observed on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, the seventh in the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar. The festival typically falls in the Gregorian calendar months of September and/or October. The festival also marks the start of preparations for Diwali, which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami. Vijayadashmi is celebrated with huge fervour across the country.
