Rama and Hanuman · Rama, Durga, Shami tree and weapons
Dussehra
The tenth day of victory: Rama over Ravana, Durga over Mahishasura, good over evil.
Also known as: Vijayadashami, Dasara, Ayudha Puja
Date and muhurat
✓ 28.6519°N, 77.2315°E · Asia/Kolkata
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When is it observed?
The tenth tithi (Dashami) of the bright half of Ashwin, the day after Navratri ends. The puja is meant for the Aparahna (afternoon) period, so the date is the day Dashami covers that time.
About Dussehra
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, marks a victory. Across North India it is the closing day of the Ramlila, the folk-theatre retelling of the Ramayana, and ends with giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad set alight at dusk.
In other parts of the country the same day is about the Goddess or about tools. Families worship weapons, books, vehicles and instruments, start new learning or ventures, and exchange leaves of the shami or apta tree as a token of goodwill.
Significance
The festival teaches that arrogance and cruelty, however powerful they appear, are overcome in the end by dharma. Ravana is often said to stand for ten faults of the mind, such as pride, anger and greed, and burning the effigy is read as a call to let them go.
Vijayadashami is also counted among the most auspicious days of the year, when any new beginning is considered favourable without searching for a separate muhurat. Students begin lessons (Vidyarambham) and traders and craftsmen worship their tools.
Observances of the day
- 1Bathe and dress in clean clothes, and clean the places where tools, books, vehicles or weapons are kept.
- 2Draw a figure of the Aparajita Devi or set an image of Durga or Rama, and begin the puja in the Aparahna muhurat.
- 3Offer flowers, rice, sandal paste, incense and sweets, and chant the Aparajita Stotra or the names of Rama.
- 4Perform Shastra Puja (or Ayudha Puja): worship weapons, books, machines and vehicles with tilak and flowers.
- 5Perform Shami Puja: worship the shami tree, traditionally linked with the Pandavas hiding their weapons in it, and bring back its leaves.
- 6In the evening, watch or take part in the Ramlila finale and Ravan Dahan, the burning of the effigies.
- 7Exchange shami or apta leaves as "gold" with elders and friends, seek blessings and share sweets.
The story
In the Ramayana, Ravana, the king of Lanka, abducted Sita. Rama, with Lakshmana, Hanuman and an army of vanaras, crossed the sea, and after a long war Rama slew Ravana on the tenth day. Many traditions say this happened on Vijayadashami, and this is the core of the northern celebration.
The Devi tradition tells that Durga, after nine nights of battle, killed Mahishasura on the tenth day. A third tale from the Mahabharata says the Pandavas hid their weapons in a shami tree before their year in hiding and, according to popular tradition, took them back on this day and later won their war.
What to do
- ✓Worship in the Aparahna muhurat for the main puja.
- ✓Clean and honour your tools, books and vehicles.
- ✓Seek elders' blessings and share sweets.
- ✓Start a new learning or work if you were waiting for a good day.
- ✓Burn effigies only in safe, designated open grounds.
What to avoid
- ✕Do not use the festival to insult any person or community.
- ✕Avoid carelessness with fire and fireworks near crowds.
- ✕Do not begin the puja outside the proper period without need.
- ✕Avoid wasting food and leaving litter at fairs.
- ✕Do not treat weapons as toys in the name of worship.
Around the country
- North India: Ramlila ends with Ravan Dahan; the Kullu Dussehra in Himachal begins on Vijayadashami, when the festival ends elsewhere, and lasts about a week.
- Mysuru, Karnataka: the Dasara ends with the Jamboo Savari, a grand procession in which an elephant carries the image of the goddess Chamundeshwari in a golden howdah from the palace to Bannimantap.
- Bengal and Odisha: Dashami is the day of Durga Visarjan, with Sindoor Khela and Bijoya greetings.
- Maharashtra and Gujarat: people exchange apta leaves as "gold" and eat jalebi and fafda; in the south, Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham are observed.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Vijayadashami?
Vijaya means victory and Dashami is the tenth tithi. The day is remembered for the victory of Rama over Ravana and Durga over Mahishasura.
Is a separate muhurat needed to start something new?
Traditionally Vijayadashami is taken as a self-auspicious day, so many people begin ventures without searching for another muhurat. The puja itself is best done in the Aparahna period.
Why are shami leaves exchanged?
The shami is linked with the Pandavas hiding and recovering their weapons, and with the idea of victory. In Maharashtra and nearby regions the leaves are given as symbolic gold with good wishes.