The conflict between Devas and Asuras is the conflict between Good and Evil which is a continuous process in life . In Hindu Mythology Gods symbolize Truth , compassion , light and wisdom . Demons signify evil ,darkness and EGO . When the Ego , Arrogance of the Demons go unchecked then the Gods descend to annihilate their ego and teach them humility . Ravana was a devotee of Shiva but his Ego made him think that he was invincible this made him abduct Sita . Lord Rama kills Ravan rescues Sita and establishes the victory of good over evil . Kamsa -the king of Mathura was tyrannical he imprisoned and tortured people . When the helpless pray to Lord Krishna he kills Kamsa , saves his devotees and humbles Kamsa . The destruction of Demons and the display of Gods powers in establishing justice and protecting people forms a significant philosophical concept in Hinduism which is celebrated all over our country . Each state however has a distinct cultural, religious flavor in celebrating the festivals of Gods victory over the demons .

 Maa Durga is the universal mother, her killing of the Buffalo Demon Mahishasura after a fierce battle of nine days and establishing harmony in the Universe is celebrated all over our country.

 West Bengal , Assam Odisha , Tripura and Jharkhand celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga in killing Mahishasura as Durga puja and as a public festival . Pandals are set up showing the idols of Goddess Durga Killing the demon .

GUJARAT – celebrates Navaratri and Vijyadashmi with Garba and Dandiya Folk dance honoring the nine Avatars of Goddess Durga. 

In KARNATAKA – Mysore, Dasara is the popular festival where the procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari an Avatar of Goddess Durga is carried through the streets on a decorated elephant to honor her victory over the killing of the Demons Chanda and Munda from where she gets the name Chamundeshwari . The temple on the Chamundi Hills in Mysore is a famous Shakti Peetham where the Goddess is worshipped after defeating the Demons .

GOA celebrates the victory of Krishna over the Demon Narakasura by burning the effigies of the Demon before dawn to represent the destruction of evil .

 In MAHASHTRA -Tripuri Purnima also known as Karthik Purnima is celebrated on the Full Moon day to honor the victory of Shiva over destroying the Demon Tripurasura . Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are lit with thousand oil lamps or diyas .

King Mahabali was a benevolent king of the Asuras he conquered all the three worlds – heaven , earth and the Netherland . This made him Egoistic. Vishnu in Vaman Avatar to destroy Mahabali’s Ego places his foot on King Mahabali’s head and sends him down to the Netherland Patala . Humbled King Mahabali surrenders his kingdom to Vishnu . He however asks him for the boon to visit his subjects once a year . In KERALA the festival ONAM is celebrated to welcome the return of King Mahabali .

  In TAMILNADU -Thai Poosam is a popular Hindu festival celebrating the victory of righteousness over evil . Lord Murugan also known as Karthik -the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati – Shakti , Kills the Demon Soorapadman with the divine sword known as the Vel , given to him by Goddess Parvati and shatters Soorapadman’s ego of invincibility This year on February 1st Captain Tamil Selvan credited to have built public toilets, provided water connections and set up health camps for which he was elected three times BJP MLA celebrated the Thai Poosam festival on a grand scale in Mumbai as a major Tamil religious and cultural festival . Over one lakh devotees attended the festival . According to Captain Tamil Selvan the Divine Spear of Lord Karthik known as the VEL represents the destruction of Ego and honors wisdom .  

— Indira Satyanarayan, an former senior correspondant HINDU VOICE ans retired professor of English department, S.K.Somaiya College