Every Vijayadashami since 1925, the volunteer organisation founded that day in Nagpur has held a festival gathering at which its head gives an address on the state of the nation and society. Over a century the address has become one of the most closely watched annual speeches in Indian public life — welcomed by supporters as a statement of direction, and scrutinised by critics for its political signals. This page records the milestones and summarises recent addresses from news reports.
Why Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of good over evil — Rama over Ravana, and the goddess Durga over Mahishasura — and is traditionally a day to begin new undertakings and to worship weapons and tools (shastra puja). Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar chose it for the founding meeting in Nagpur on 27 September 1925; the name of the organisation was adopted the following April.
The annual programme, now held at the Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur, includes a ceremonial shastra puja, a display of physical training and the ghosh band by uniformed volunteers, an address by an invited chief guest, and the main address by the head of the organisation.
A century in milestones
- 1925Founded in Nagpur on Vijayadashami (27 September) by Dr K. B. Hedgewar.
- 1940Dr Hedgewar dies (21 June); M. S. Golwalkar becomes head.
- 1948–49Banned by the Government of India after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (February 1948); the ban is lifted in July 1949 after the organisation adopts a written constitution. Thousands of members were jailed.
- 1973Golwalkar dies (5 June); Balasaheb Deoras becomes head.
- 1975–77Banned during the Emergency; the ban ends in 1977.
- 1992–93Banned after the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya (December 1992); the ban is set aside by a tribunal in 1993.
- 1994Prof. Rajendra Singh ("Rajju Bhaiya") becomes head.
- 2000K. S. Sudarshan becomes head.
- 2009Mohan Bhagwat becomes head (March).
- 2014The Vijayadashami address is broadcast live by the public broadcaster Doordarshan for the first time; opposition parties criticise the decision.
- 2016Brown trousers replace the long-worn khaki shorts in the uniform, first worn publicly on Vijayadashami.
- 2025The centenary Vijayadashami (2 October). A day earlier the Government of India released a commemorative postage stamp and coin.
- 2026The first Vijayadashami of the second century (20 October).
Recent addresses
Each recent address has its own page with the chief guest, a summary of what was reported and the sources. Every year since 1925 is listed in the archive.
- Vijayadashami Archive, 1925–2026Every year in one table
- Vijayadashami 2026 Address — Mohan Bhagwat20 October 2026 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2025 Address — Mohan Bhagwat2 October 2025 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2024 Address — Mohan Bhagwat12 October 2024 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2023 Address — Mohan Bhagwat24 October 2023 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2021 Address — Mohan Bhagwat15 October 2021 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2020 Address — Mohan Bhagwat25 October 2020 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2019 Address — Mohan Bhagwat8 October 2019 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2018 Address — Mohan Bhagwat18 October 2018 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2017 Address — Mohan Bhagwat30 September 2017 · Mohan Bhagwat
- Vijayadashami 2016 Address — Mohan Bhagwat11 October 2016 · Mohan Bhagwat
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Frequently asked questions
When was the organisation founded on Vijayadashami?
On Vijayadashami, 27 September 1925, in Nagpur, by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.
Where is the Vijayadashami address given?
At the Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur, at the annual Vijayadashami festival programme.
Who was the chief guest at the 2025 centenary Vijayadashami?
Former President Ram Nath Kovind.
When was the 2026 Vijayadashami address?
On 20 October 2026, at Reshimbagh, Nagpur; the chief guest was Dainik Jagran editor-in-chief Sanjay Gupta.
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Read nextTimeline: 150 Years of Hindu Civilizational Thought (1875–2026)Sources & copyright status
- The Week (PTI), commemorative stamp and coin (29 September 2025)
- Organiser, 2026 Vijayadashami programme and guests
- Year-by-year sources are listed on each page of the Vijayadashami Archive.
- Historical facts: not subject to copyright. Speeches are summarised in our own words from the news reports listed; full texts are available from the publishers cited.
- Commentary and translations on this page: original to The Hindu Book. © The Hindu Book, all rights reserved.
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