Dussehra 2027विजयादशमी

When is Dussehra?

Observed on Shukla Dashami, Ashwin month. Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi and can differ by a day in other places — check the Panchang for your city.

What Dussehra means

Dussehra or Vijayadashami — 'the victorious tenth' — falls on the tenth day of the bright half of Ashvin, the day after the nine nights of Navratri. It celebrates the victory of good over evil in two great stories: Rama's victory over Ravana and the Devi's victory over Mahishasura.

It is one of the most auspicious days of the year, counted among the swayam siddha muhurats on which new work, study, business or journeys are begun without consulting a separate muhurat. Weapons, tools, vehicles and books are worshipped; children in Kerala and Karnataka are initiated into learning; and people exchange the leaves of the shami or apta tree as 'gold' with greetings of victory.

Across North India the evening belongs to the Ramlila, which ends with towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad set alight. The burning is a reminder to destroy the 'ten heads' within — lust, anger, greed, pride, jealousy and the rest — so that the Rama in each of us can win.

The story of Dussehra

Tradition holds that Rama killed Ravana in Lanka on Vijayadashami, after a long battle in which Ravana's brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad had already fallen. Ravana, a great scholar and devotee of Shiva who had carried Sita away, refused every chance to return her. With Sita rescued, Rama returned to Ayodhya some twenty days later — on Diwali.

In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent their thirteenth year of exile in disguise at the court of King Virata, having hidden their weapons in a shami tree. At the end of the year, Arjuna took down his bow Gandiva from the tree and defeated the Kaurava army that had come to steal Virata's cattle. The shami is worshipped on Dussehra in memory of this, with the prayer 'Shami shamayate papam'.

For devotees of the Devi, Vijayadashami is the day of her triumph over Mahishasura after nine nights of battle. In Bengal it is also the day the Devi leaves her parents' home to return to Shiva on Kailash — the tearful farewell of bijoya, with sindoor khela and immersion.

Dussehra puja vidhi, step by step

How Dussehra is kept at home, with the shami and Aparajita puja and the worship of tools and books. Traditions vary widely by region.

What you need

• An image of Rama (with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman) and of the Devi (Aparajita)
• Shami leaves, or apta leaves in Maharashtra
• Roli, akshat, flowers, a garland, a ghee diya and incense
• Your tools, weapons, vehicles, books, pens or work instruments, cleaned for worship
• Naivedya: sweets, fruit — jalebi and fafda in Gujarat

When to do the puja

Vijayadashami in 2027 falls on Saturday, 9 October. The shami and Aparajita puja and the 'vijay muhurat' are done in the aparahna (afternoon) period while Dashami prevails, and Ravan Dahan takes place after sunset. Check the Panchang for the exact times in your city. See the Panchang for your city.

Steps

1. Morning. Bathe, worship the family deity, and — if you kept the Navratri kalash — offer the barley shoots and conclude the Navratri puja.
2. Ayudha and tool puja. Clean and decorate your tools, vehicle, books and instruments, apply tilak and flowers, and worship them as the means of your livelihood and learning. (In South India this is often done on Navami.)
3. Aparajita puja. In the afternoon, worship the Devi as Aparajita, 'the unconquered', with flowers, akshat and a diya, and pray for victory in all good work.
4. Shami puja. Go to a shami tree (or keep its leaves at home), offer water, akshat and flowers, and recite 'Shami shamayate papam'. Take some leaves home.
5. Exchange of 'gold'. Give shami or apta leaves to elders, friends and neighbours as 'sona', touching elders' feet and wishing them victory.
6. Evening. Watch the Ramlila and Ravan Dahan, or read the victory chapter of the Ramayana at home, and begin any new venture you have planned.

Offerings & food: Jalebi-fafda (Gujarat), sohan papdi, pedha, mithai

Mantras for Dussehra

Dussehra across India

Mysore Dasara (royal procession of Chamundeshwari), Kullu Dasara (Himachal — chariots of Raghunath), Bastar Dasara (Chhattisgarh — 75-day celebration), Ramlila conclusion in Delhi and across North India

North India

Ramlila ends with Ravan Dahan; Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, Varanasi's month-long Ramnagar Ramlila (with the Kashi Naresh) and Ayodhya are among the most famous.

Mysuru (Karnataka)

The Jamboo Savari: the golden howdah with the image of Chamundeshwari is carried through the city on an elephant, ending at the Bannimantap, where the shami (banni) tree is worshipped.

Kullu (Himachal Pradesh)

Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and lasts a week: Raghunathji's chariot is pulled and village deities are carried to the Dhalpur maidan in a grand gathering.

Bastar (Chhattisgarh)

Bastar Dussehra, spread over about 75 days, honours the goddess Danteshwari with tribal rituals and a huge wooden chariot rather than the Ravana story.

Maharashtra

Seemollanghan — crossing the village boundary — and the exchange of apta leaves as 'gold'; it is a favourite day for buying vehicles and beginning work.

Kerala and Karnataka

Vidyarambham: young children write their first letters, often 'Om Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah', in rice or sand, guided by a teacher or elder.

Nagpur (Maharashtra)

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded on Vijayadashami in 1925 and marks the day with its annual address; Dr B. R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism at Nagpur on Vijayadashami in 1956, remembered as Dhammachakra Pravartan Din.

Prayers to recite

Do’s and don’ts

Temples to visit for Dussehra

Chamunda Devi MysoreMysuru, KarnatakaShri Ram Janmabhoomi MandirAyodhya, Uttar Pradesh

Frequently asked questions