This film takes viewers to India in the 1930’s for the traditional festival called Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami. The film is narrated by Don Beddoe (:14) and it enters India through temple gates (:25). Buildings which are over 1,500 years old are shown with intricate architecture (:31). A close up shot shows sacred animals, gods and goddesses along the walls (1:58). A pool sits adjacent to the temple which had been used by an east Indian prince and his thousand wives (1:20). Inhabitants today are seen washing up prior to the holiday occasion (1:25). Dussehra is held annually in October (1:31). Market stalls are seen overloaded with dates, figs and other products as civilians run through out to make final preparations for the event (1:54). Mendicant priests are pictured with face paintings and jewelry (2:17). The holy bull called Nandi is seen as devout pass under it (2:28) and plant a kiss on it as they pray for strength and vitality (2:32). The streetways are decorated with flowers, tapestries and flags as pedestrians walk through in costume (2:39). A great lamp feast is enacted to celebrate the God Krishna’s victory over a demon (2:53). A woman lights a lamp over the sacred elephant’s trunk (2:57). Nuts and silver coins are set at the elephant’s feet (3:02) and the decorated animal is seen walking out (3:05). Crowds fill the palace of the Maharaja which rules over a territory of 300,000 square miles (3:22). The Maharaja and his tall umbrella then step out of the palace (3:35). The parade begins and the elephants are lined up (3:54) as crowds surround the procession. Flutes and drums are played along with the parade (4:18). As the Viceroy had been in attendance another parade was added which included a historic pageant show of various transportation methods over the years (5:00). Civilians dressed as bears and dancing down the line follow (5:09). A golden carved litter is shown which had been used to transport the Maharaja (5:24) as well as pack camels loaded with spices (5:27) and other camels dragging a covered wagon (5:31). A stage coach (5:37), ox carts and carriages with riders in costume (5:43) are then paraded down the streets. Victorian era carriages are led by camel rather than horse (6:13). As the parade concludes, spectators head to an area where the Maharaja sprays them with a mixture of magenta perfume and rare oils (6:40) which is to be a forgery of friendship between the people and the Maharaja. Civilians then spread out as the ceremony ends (6:55) and some head to the amusement park (6:58). A small Ferris wheel is pictured here which is operated by hand (7:02) as well as a merry go round (7:16) and a spinning table (7:31). Catch as Catch Can Wrestling follows (7:57). Markings viewed on a priest’s head are to denote the cast (8:06). While some attend the amusement park and rides, others head to the Shrine of the Great Horse (5:15). The film concludes and was produced by the Central Film Company (8:34).

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami , Dasara or Dashain is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartik, the sixth and seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar respectively, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. Celebrations include processions to a river or ocean front that involve carrying clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed in the water for dissolution and farewell. Elsewhere, on Dasara, towering effigies of Ravan, symbolising evil, are burnt with fireworks, marking evil’s destruction.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com