Dussehra Mahattam

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhs made the shastar(weapon) a paramount part of a Khalsa’s life, praising it in his baani, saying

ਸੈਫ ਸਰੋਹੀ ਸੈਹਥੀ ਯਹੈ ਹਮਾਰੈ ਪੀਰ||

In Hindu faith, Dasehra is a celebration of good triumphing over evil. Hindus celebrate by performing plays of the Ramayan for nine nights.

However, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji changed this to 9 nights of reciting Bir Ras - Judh Mai Bani (Bani infused with warrior spirit). By changing this festival to one focusing on ‘Shastar’ (weapon) and ‘Shaastar’ (scripture), Guru Sahib instilled ‘Chardi Kala’ and ‘Bir Ras’ (warrior spirit) into his Sikhs. Turning his Sikhs away from watching plays depicting demons such as Ravan, Meghnaad, Kumbhkaran getting defeated, Guru Sahib instead uttered all these feats inspiring warrior spirit in his Bani ‘Raam Avtar’, and instructed Sikhs to recite it during the period of Dasehra. After the completion of the Paath, Guru Sahib would take out a ‘Mahalla’ i.e. a procession, consisting of Nishan Sahibs, Battle drums, and Sikhs performing martial arts.

Dussehra Mahattam is a Puratan tradition of reciting Bani’s from Dasam Granth. It is also referred to as Shastar Pooja (Worshiping of Guru’s Weapons)

The Puratan tradition is followed by Nihung Jathebandiya (Budha Dal, Dal Panth, Tarna Dal, Bidhichandiye), Nihung Singhs, and every baptised Sikh on 9 days before Dussehra and on the 10th day i.e., on Dussehra Day. at Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib Sri Abchalnagar Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra and Takht Sri Harmandir Ji, Patna Sahib, Bihar.

Method of reciting Bani on first 9 days:

Entire Bani to be recited starting from the first Navratra day of Assu month after 12:00 Noon and to be followed for next eight days
Bani can be recited by a single Singh or by a group of Singhs by allocating time slots
One has to clean his body and wear fresh clothes before sitting in Tabya to recite the Bani
For 9 days bani to be recited from Pothi Page 1 to 167
A time to be fixed from the last quarter and every day Bani to be recited at the same time after doing Ardaas
Kadah Parshaad & Shaheedi Deg to be served during start, middle and end of the Path
On other days, Parshaad in the form of 7 dry fruits (Almonds, Coconut, Raisins, Dates, Cardamom, Cloves, Pistachios) to be served
On each day, Dhuph & Jyot to be ignited from start to end of the Bani recitation and Kumbh Coconut to be kept

Method of reciting Bani on 10th day (Dussehra day)

Jaap Sahib to be recited (Pothi Page 169 to 181)
Raam Avtar (Pothi Page 182 to 269)
Dohra - Mahakaal Ji Ke Sharan Pare… (Pothi page 270 to 274)
After Bani recitation, Aarti - Aarta to be done
On Dussehra day, Bani recitation to start in the morning

On the tenth day, after the Bhoj of Paath, the Mahalla (procession) will be held and should head towards an open ground. Singhs would then show their Gatka (martial arts) skills and Ghod-savari (Horse riding skills). There would also be Rewards given to the best Horse rider and to the Singh who plays best Gatka.

Here are 2 albums of Dussehra Mahattam Paath. I would recommend doing Paath from the Pothi Sahib but if you want to listen to the Paath you can click on the below albums.