While the entire country is immersed in an atmosphere of piety, joy, and festivity during Dussehra, the Asur tribe residents living in Latehar, Jharkhand, are in mourning. They assert that Mahishasura did not attack women, and therefore Goddess Durga was defeated by deception.
In this village, Ravana is revered as an ancestor. A two-day mourning festival of the Asur tribe has begun in the Latehar district. Members of this community reported that they consider Mahishasura their ancestor and the master of the land, so they do not participate in Durga Puja but instead mourn.
The residents of this village consider themselves descendants of Bhainsasura, which is why they are called Asur or the Asur community. On the day of Durga Puja, on Navami Tithi, Bhainsasura is killed. After this, people mourn on Navami and Dashami Tithi.
According to members of this community, the mourning is conducted as if a person has died. This mourning only ends after the immersion procession. The residents of this community also do not participate in the immersion procession. During this period, they observe dietary restrictions. Small children may eat a little, but adults avoid meat and fish.
During the days of mourning, they consume only simple food. Only after Vijayadashmi does their diet resume. They state that this tradition has existed in their lineage and community for a long time, and they continue to observe it today.