Celebrate Dussehra being environment friendly

In the month of Ashwin and Kartik, Hindus observe ten days of celebration that

includes fasting and fiesta to worship Goddess Durga and Lord Ram. Dusshera is one of the big festivals celebrated all across India.

 The celebration is for the victory of good over evil. Vijaydashmi is preceded by Navratri (Nine nights) festival in which the nine Goddesses are worshipped. All the nine Goddesses are known to be part of one supreme Goddess Durga, who conquered the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. All these nine days are observed with great piousness, peace and satvik ahar (pious Diet). People offer prayers and do dhyan (meditation to connect to the supreme energy). The tenth day is Dusshera. Dusshera, is a festival of glitter, fireworks and galore. This day is to celebrate the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. Giant sized effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnad are burnt in community grounds. It is all fun and fair in the air.

Over a period of time these festivals have taken new forms with some dilution in traditions and some addition of pompousness. There are some important points to consider with which the occasions can be made more amicable to people and the planet:

• Avoid and oppose use of loud speakers in residential areas. One may feel too religious offering prayers and making the environment holy amplifying their voices. But they should realize, it is a disturbance in the environment.
• Fireworks should be organized only in designated areas which could be large fair grounds or stadium. This shall minimize smoke in every nook and corner and increase safety.
• In the fair grounds Food stall owners should use recyclable or biodegradable material to serve.
• The houses can be decorated nicely with energy efficient lights
• Try innovative ideas to make your home greener. May be its time you sow another plant.
• You can give rest to all your electromagnetic gadgets and just enjoy the milieu at home and neighborhood. This shall save energies while minimizing radiations.
• Should you need to go out, prefer car pool. Avoid peak hours to minimize traffic congestion. In the vicinity enjoy walking or cycling over scooting.
• On such occasions people just splurge whether it is about Cooking, making sweets, buying gifts. Minimizing on every front would save gas, fuel, consumption of resources to produce. Simple heartfelt greeting can be magical too!

 Get the tenor of celebration to Simple, Green and Healthy. Happy Dusshera!