Families get ready to celebrate Dasara today

PUNE: The city streets wore a festive look with heaps of marigold and apta leaves speckling every nook and corner while Puneites are gearing up to celebrate Dasara on Saturday.

Several mythological legends reflect the importance of this day, the most popular one being goddess

Durga

’s triumph over demon Mahishasura. Also, effigies of

Ravana

are burnt to represent Ravana’s defeat against Lord Rama. These stories symbolize the victory of good over evil.

Various communities celebrate Dasara with great pomp and show in their own traditional ways. Homes are decked up with marigold and chrysanthemum garlands, while rangolis adorn the house entrance.

“Once the puja gets over, we all sit for breakfast together. Like every year, puran poli and kheer are prepared for lunch. In the evening, we visit our friends and relatives to exchange apta leaves, wishing them a bright future and good health," said Sujata Despande, a resident of Karvenagar.

Dasara, also known as

Vijaya Dashmi

is celebrated in different ways by various South Indian communities. Dasara marks the end of the elaborate arrangement of golu.

South Indian households offer a naivedya to the goddess who is about to set out for war with Mahishasura. In the evening, the lights are switched off. The figurine arrangement is cleared the day after Dasara," said Sreepriya Sastry.