Dussehra (Vijayadashami)

About

Dussehra, or Vijayadashami ("the tenth day of victory"), falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, the day after the nine nights of Navratri end. It is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals and is considered an auspicious day to begin new ventures.

Significance and stories

Two main stories mark the day.

In the Ramayana tradition, Dussehra celebrates Lord Rama's defeat of the ten-headed king Ravana, who had abducted Sita. The victory is a lesson that righteousness overcomes arrogance and wrong.

In the Shakta tradition, it is the day the Goddess Durga finished her battle with the buffalo demon Mahishasura. For Bengalis it is also the day of her farewell, after Durga Puja.

The Mahabharata adds a third story: the Pandavas retrieved their weapons from a shami tree after their year of hiding. For this reason, the shami tree is worshipped on this day in many regions.

Dashami is considered so auspicious that many people begin important things on it without a separate muhurat. Traditions differ on this; consult a priest for major events.

How to observe (puja vidhi)

1. Bathe, wear clean clothes, and set up the puja space.
2. Perform Shastra Puja or Ayudha Puja: place tools, books, instruments, or vehicles on a clean cloth and offer flowers and kumkum.
3. Worship the Goddess Durga or Rama, whichever your family reveres, with flowers, a lamp, and naivedya.
4. At the right time of day, perform Aparajita Puja to the Goddess Aparajita (the unconquered). Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation of the mantras.
5. Perform Shami Puja: offer water and flowers to a shami tree, or its leaves if no tree is available, and exchange the leaves as a symbol of gold and goodwill.
6. In some families, children begin their first learning on this day, called Vidyarambham or Aksharabhyasam. A parent or teacher guides the child to write the first letters in rice or sand.
7. In the evening, watch or take part in Ramlila and Ravan Dahan, the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna.
8. Visit relatives and elders to exchange greetings.

Puja items (samagri)

• Kumkum, turmeric, rice, flowers, incense, a lamp
• Shami leaves (or a substitute, if your family allows), aparajita flowers if available
• Tools, books, or weapons to be worshipped
• Sweets, fruit, betel leaf
• A slate or tray of rice for Aksharabhyasam

Fasting and food

Dussehra itself is not usually a fasting day. Families who fasted for Navratri break the fast on Dashami with a festive vegetarian meal. Sweets such as jalebi and fafda are famous in Gujarat, and puran poli, kheer or payasam appears in other regions.

Regional customs

In North India, Ramlila plays end with Ravan Dahan. In Karnataka, Mysuru Dasara is a grand royal festival. In Bengal, Dashami is the day of immersion and Sindoor Khela. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and nearby regions, people exchange apta or shami leaves as "gold". In South India, Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja fall just before Vijayadashami, and many families begin learning on it. In Nepal it is celebrated as Dashain. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.

Celebrating in the USA

Many temples and Indian associations hold Ramlila and Ravan Dahan on a weekend near Dashami. In the USA, burning an effigy generally requires a permit from the local fire department, and many cities limit open fires and fireworks. Organisers typically use a fire-safe site, a licensed pyrotechnician, a safety perimeter and fire marshal approval. If you plan to build one, check local rules first, or choose a non-burning option such as a symbolic display.

Dussehra often falls on a working day. A short puja in the morning, worshipping your laptop or tools with a flower and a lamp, is a lovely way to mark it. Aksharabhyasam is offered at many temples on Dashami, and a priest can guide a small ceremony at home. The site shows the Aparajita Puja time for your city.