Dussehra (Vijayadashami): Celebrating the Victory of Good over Evil

Happy Vijayadashami! Today, across India, the sky glows with bonfires, the air smells of sweets and marigolds, and millions of people celebrate one timeless idea: truth always wins in the end.

Introduction: A Day That Belongs to Everyone

If there is one festival that brings together temples, villages, big cities, school children and grandparents, it is Dussehra. Also called Vijayadashami, it falls on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Shukla Paksha), right after the nine nights of Navratri. This year, it is being celebrated today, 20 October 2026.

The name itself tells the story. "Vijaya" means victory and "Dashami" means the tenth day. Dussehra comes from "Dasha-hara", which means the removal of the ten, a reference to the ten heads of the demon king Ravana. Different regions of India tell the story in different ways, but the message is the same everywhere: no matter how powerful darkness seems, light eventually wins.

In this blog, we will walk through the legends behind the festival, why it matters, how different states celebrate it, and which mantras you can chant to make the day more meaningful. Grab a cup of chai and settle in.

The Legend of Lord Rama and Ravana

The most widely told story of Dussehra comes from the Ramayana. Lord Rama, prince of Ayodhya, was sent into exile for fourteen years, along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. They lived simply in the forest, and life was peaceful until Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, entered the story.

Ravana was no ordinary villain. He was a scholar, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, a skilled musician and a powerful ruler. But his pride and ego grew bigger than his wisdom. When his sister Surpanakha was humiliated in the forest, Ravana decided to take revenge. With the help of the demon Maricha, who took the form of a golden deer, he lured Rama and Lakshmana away from their hut and kidnapped Sita, carrying her off to his golden kingdom of Lanka.

Rama did not give up. With the help of Hanuman, the devoted and fearless monkey god, and Sugriva's vanara army, he searched for Sita. Hanuman leapt across the ocean, found Sita in Lanka's Ashoka Vatika, and carried Rama's message of hope to her. Then the great army built a bridge across the sea, known as Ram Setu, and marched to Lanka.

The war that followed lasted many days. Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad were both defeated. Finally, on the tenth day, Rama faced Ravana himself and defeated him with a divine arrow. Sita was rescued, and justice was restored. The day became known as Vijayadashami, the day of victory.

Twenty days later, Rama returned to Ayodhya, and the entire city lit lamps to welcome him. That is the story of Diwali, which is why Dussehra and Diwali are so closely linked in the calendar.

The Legend of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura

In eastern and southern India, Vijayadashami is more about a goddess than a king. According to the Puranas, a powerful demon named Mahishasura received a boon that no man or god could kill him. Believing himself invincible, he began terrorising the heavens and the earth.

The gods, helpless and worried, combined their energies, and from that blazing light emerged Goddess Durga. Each god gave her a weapon: Shiva his trident, Vishnu his discus, Indra his thunderbolt, and so on. Riding a lion, she fought Mahishasura for nine days and nine nights. On the tenth day, she finally defeated him.

This is why the nine nights before Dussehra are celebrated as Navratri, and the tenth day is Vijayadashami. The festival reminds us that when evil grows too strong, a greater power rises to put things right. It also celebrates Shakti, the divine feminine energy, in all its forms.

Interestingly, in Bengal there is a lovely tradition that Lord Rama himself worshipped Goddess Durga before the battle with Ravana to seek her blessings. This ties the two legends together beautifully.

The Mahabharata Connection: The Shami Tree

There is a third, lesser-known story behind this day. In the Mahabharata, the five Pandava brothers spent their final year of exile in disguise, which meant they could not be recognised by anyone. Before entering this year, they hid their divine weapons inside a Shami tree.

When the year ended, they went back to the tree on the day of Vijayadashami, took out their weapons, and prepared for the great war of Kurukshetra. Because of this, worshipping the Shami tree and weapons on this day is considered auspicious, and it is a tradition still followed in Maharashtra, Karnataka and other parts of India.

What Does Dussehra Really Mean?

Beyond the stories, Dussehra carries a deeper message. The ten heads of Ravana are often seen as symbols of ten inner weaknesses that every human being struggles with: lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, selfishness, injustice, cruelty and ego. Burning Ravana's effigy is not just about defeating a demon from a story. It is a reminder to burn these qualities within ourselves.

That is why many families treat this day as a fresh start. It is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year, so much so that people believe anything begun on Vijayadashami is likely to succeed. Shopping for vehicles, starting a new business, beginning a new course, or signing an important agreement are all common on this day.

In a world that is fast, noisy and often stressful, Dussehra gives us a simple question to reflect on: what is the one thing within me that I need to defeat this year?

How Dussehra Is Celebrated Across India

One of the most beautiful things about India is that the same festival wears a different outfit in every state. Here is a tour.

North India: Ramlila and Burning of Ravana

In Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, the festival is centred on the Ramlila, a dramatic folk performance of the Ramayana that runs for several days before Dussehra. Local actors, often from the same neighbourhood, play Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Ravana.

On Dussehra evening, huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad are stuffed with firecrackers and set on fire, while crowds cheer and children sit on their fathers' shoulders for a better view. Delhi's Ramlila Maidan and Red Fort grounds are famous for this. The Ramlila of Ramnagar near Varanasi, which has been staged for over 200 years in a unique open-air style, is so special that it is recognised as a piece of living cultural heritage.

In Kota, Rajasthan, there is a large fair, and in Himachal Pradesh, Kullu Dussehra is a world of its own. While Dussehra ends elsewhere, the Kullu festival begins on Vijayadashami and lasts about a week. Hundreds of local deities are carried in colourful palanquins to the Dhalpur Maidan to honour Lord Raghunath, creating one of the most spectacular gatherings in the Himalayas.

West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Bihar: Durga Puja and Bijoya Dashami

In Bengal, Vijayadashami is known as Bijoya Dashami, and it is both joyful and emotional. After days of grand Durga Puja celebrations, the festival ends with the immersion (visarjan) of the Goddess's idol in rivers and ponds, as if bidding farewell to a daughter returning to her husband's home.

Before the immersion, married women apply vermilion (sindoor) on the Goddess and then on each other in a happy ritual called Sindoor Khela. Everyone dresses up, hugs, exchanges sweets and greets elders with the words "Shubho Bijoya". Odisha and Assam also celebrate with beautifully decorated pandals and processions, with Cuttack's silver filigree decorations being quite famous.

Gujarat and Maharashtra: Garba, Dandiya and Golden Leaves

In Gujarat, nine nights of garba and dandiya come to an end on Vijayadashami, and people celebrate by eating jalebi and fafda, a favourite Dussehra combination in many homes.

In Maharashtra, people exchange leaves of the Apta tree, calling them "sona" (gold), and wish each other prosperity. Elders get a gentle touch of the feet and a leaf, and the gesture is a symbol of sharing wealth and good wishes. This is also considered a favourable day for buying gold, vehicles and homes.

Karnataka: The Royal Mysuru Dasara

The Mysuru Dasara is one of India's grandest celebrations and has a history that goes back over 400 years, beginning in the time of the Vijayanagara Empire and later nurtured by the Wodeyar kings. The Mysuru Palace glows with nearly a hundred thousand lights, and the city turns into a stage of music, dance, wrestling, exhibitions and cultural events for ten days.

The big finale is the Jamboo Savari, a magnificent procession in which a decorated elephant carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari through the streets, accompanied by dancers, musicians, tableaux, horses and camels. For many in Karnataka, this is Dussehra at its most royal.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala: Golu, Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham

In Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, families set up Golu or Bommala Koluvu, a display of dolls and figurines on stepped platforms in their homes during Navratri. Friends and neighbours visit each other, sing devotional songs and share prasadam.

In South India, the ninth day is celebrated as Ayudha Puja, where people worship the tools of their trade: books, vehicles, machines, musical instruments, kitchen tools and even laptops. Nothing is considered too small to be thanked. Vijayadashami then marks the day when the tools are used again, with fresh blessings.

In Kerala, Vijayadashami is the day of Vidyarambham, when little children are introduced to the world of letters. A parent or teacher guides the child's finger to write the first words, often in a tray of rice, while chanting the name of the Divine. It is a sweet and sacred beginning to a lifetime of learning.

Telangana: Bathukamma and Jammi Chettu

In Telangana, the preceding days are celebrated as Bathukamma, a festival where women arrange seasonal flowers in beautiful towering stacks and sing folk songs around them. On Vijayadashami, people visit the Jammi tree (Shami), worship it, and exchange its leaves as a symbol of friendship and goodwill. In the evening, many go to Dussehra celebrations with family and friends.

Chhattisgarh: Bastar Dussehra

Bastar Dussehra in Chhattisgarh is one of the longest festivals in the world, lasting around 75 days. Unusually, it has nothing to do with Ravana. It honours the local goddess Danteshwari and features a massive wooden chariot pulled by tribal communities. It shows how deeply this festival blends with local traditions.

A Day of Other Important Moments

Vijayadashami has also been chosen as a significant day by many other movements. For example, Dr B. R. Ambedkar adopted Buddhism with lakhs of followers on Vijayadashami in 1956 at Nagpur, a day now remembered as Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din. This shows how the day carries the meaning of a new beginning for different communities.

Rituals You Can Follow at Home

You do not need a grand setup to celebrate Dussehra. Here are some simple things families do:

• Clean and decorate the house. Hang mango leaf and marigold torans at the door and draw a rangoli.
• Perform Shastra Puja or Ayudha Puja. Place your books, pens, tools or vehicle keys on a clean cloth, apply a tilak, offer flowers and say thanks.
• Worship Goddess Durga and Lord Rama. Light a lamp, offer flowers and fruits, and chant a few prayers.
• Worship the Shami or Apta tree if one is nearby, and exchange leaves with loved ones as a symbol of goodwill.
• Share sweets. Jalebi, laddoos, shrikhand, payasam, puran poli and kheer are among the favourites.
• Watch or attend a Ramlila or burn a small Ravana effigy with the children, perhaps writing one bad habit on a paper and dropping it into the flames.
• Seek blessings from elders and spend time with family.

Relevant Mantras to Chant on Vijayadashami

Chant with a calm mind and a sincere heart. The meaning matters more than perfect speed. Here are some popular and easy-to-recite prayers for the day.

1. Durga Mantra (Sarva Mangala Mangalye)

Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute.

Meaning: O Goddess, the source of all auspiciousness, who fulfils every purpose and is the refuge of all, I bow to you.

2. Devi Stuti (Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu)

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti-Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.

Meaning: To the Goddess who lives in all beings in the form of strength, I bow again and again.

3. Durga Gayatri Mantra

Om Katyayanaya Vidmahe Kanyakumari Dhimahi, Tanno Durgih Prachodayat.

This is chanted to seek courage, protection and clarity of mind.

4. Rama Naam Mantra

Shri Rama Rama Rameti Rame Rame Manorame, Sahasranama Tattulyam Rama Nama Varanane.

Meaning: Chanting the name of Rama once is said to equal chanting a thousand names of the Divine. You can also simply repeat "Om Shri Ramaya Namah" or "Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram".

5. Hanuman Mantra

Om Hanumate Namah.

A simple chant for strength, devotion and fearlessness. Many also recite the Hanuman Chalisa on this day.

6. Shami Puja Prayer

Shami Shamayate Papam Shami Shatru Vinashini, Arjunasya Dhanurdhari Ramasya Priyadarshini.

This prayer is recited while worshipping the Shami tree and is believed to remove sins and obstacles.

7. A Simple Resolution Prayer

Even without a Sanskrit mantra, you can fold your hands and quietly say: "May I overcome my weaknesses, may I walk the path of truth, and may I bring good into the lives of others." Sincerity is the most powerful mantra of all.

(Note: Pronunciations and versions of mantras can vary slightly by region and tradition. Follow what your family or guru has taught you.)

Lessons Dussehra Teaches Us

The festival is full of stories, but it is also full of simple life lessons:

1. Ego is the biggest enemy. Ravana had knowledge and power, but pride led to his downfall.
2. Dharma gives strength. Rama won not because he was the strongest but because he stood for what was right.
3. Teamwork matters. Hanuman, Sugriva, the vanara army and even a small squirrel in some versions of the tale contributed to Rama's mission.
4. Power should be used wisely. The goddess received weapons from all the gods, reminding us that strength is for protection, not oppression.
5. Every ending is a beginning. The day marks the end of Navratri and the start of new ventures.

Dussehra in Modern Times

Today, Dussehra is celebrated not only in India but also in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad, the UK, the USA and wherever Indians live. In big cities, huge Ramlila gatherings are streamed online, and families who live far apart connect through video calls to share the festive mood.

There is also growing awareness of celebrating in a greener way, with eco-friendly Ravana effigies, clay idols that dissolve safely in water, reduced firecrackers and natural colours. This way we honour tradition while taking care of the planet that carries all of our festivals.

Conclusion: Burn the Ravana Within

Dussehra is more than a day of effigies and fireworks. It is a yearly invitation to pause and look inward. Whether you celebrate through a Ramlila, a Durga Puja, a Golu display, a quiet prayer at home or simply a meal with loved ones, the heart of the festival remains the same: courage, truth and goodness always find a way.

So this Vijayadashami, as the flames rise from the Ravana effigy, take a moment to let go of something that holds you back, be it anger, fear, laziness or negativity. Light a diya of hope in its place.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Dussehra and a victorious year ahead! Shubh Vijayadashami! 🪔