Why Dussehra matters
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, falls on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Ashwin, right after the nine nights of Navratri. In 2026 it is celebrated on Tuesday, 20 October. The name comes from two ideas. "Dussehra" is linked to the removal of the ten heads of Ravan, and "Vijayadashami" simply means the tenth day of victory.
At its heart, the festival is a reminder that truth and courage win in the end, even when the other side looks stronger. Families use the day to start new work, buy vehicles or tools, begin learning, and settle old quarrels. Many people consider the whole day auspicious, so it is one of the few days when new beginnings are made without looking for a separate muhurat.
The stories behind Vijayadashami
Shri Ram and Ravan
According to the Ramayana, Ravan, the king of Lanka, carried Sita away from the Panchavati forest. Shri Ram, with Lakshman, Hanuman, Sugriv and the army of vanars, built a bridge to Lanka and fought a long war. Before the final battle, Shri Ram worshipped the Goddess to seek strength. On the tenth day he defeated Ravan and freed Sita. This is why effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran are burned on Dussehra evening in towns across North India, usually after a Ramlila that runs through Navratri.
The lesson people take from the story is not only about defeating an enemy. Ravan was learned and powerful, yet his pride and his disrespect for another person's dignity brought him down. On this day many families speak about the ten "heads" we carry inside us, such as anger, greed, ego, jealousy and laziness, and try to give up at least one of them.
Maa Durga and Mahishasura
In the Devi tradition, the demon Mahishasura received a boon that no man or god could kill him. He began to trouble the heavens and the earth. The gods combined their energies, and from that light Maa Durga appeared, carrying the weapons of all the gods. She fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights and killed him on the tenth. So Navratri is spent in worship of the nine forms of the Goddess, and Vijayadashami marks her victory. In Bengal and eastern India the day is observed as Bijoya Dashami, when Durga idols are immersed.
Shami puja and Ayudha puja
The Mahabharata tells that the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree before spending their final year in disguise. When the year ended on Vijayadashami, Arjun took back his bow Gandiv from the tree. Since then the Shami tree is worshipped on this day, and in many homes Shami leaves are exchanged as a sign of good luck and prosperity. Worship of the Aparajita plant and Devi Aparajita, the goddess who is never defeated, is also done in the afternoon.
Ayudha puja means the worship of tools and weapons. Soldiers clean and honour their arms, farmers their ploughs, craftsmen their tools, drivers their vehicles, and students their books and pens. In South India this is often done on Navami, the day before, while in many North Indian and Rajput families shastra puja is done on Dussehra itself.
Dussehra puja vidhi at home
You do not need an elaborate setup. A clean space, a sincere mind and a few simple items are enough.
Samagri (items needed)
- A picture or idol of Shri Ram and Maa Durga
- Shami leaves or a small Shami plant, and Aparajita flowers if available
- Roli or kumkum, rice (akshat), turmeric and a little sandal paste
- A diya with ghee or oil, incense sticks and camphor
- Flowers, a marigold garland and a coconut
- Sweets for bhog, such as jalebi, laddoo or kheer
- Your tools, books, pen or vehicle keys for Ayudha puja
Steps
- Bathe in the morning, wear clean clothes and clean the puja area.
- Place the pictures of Shri Ram and Maa Durga on a small platform with a red or yellow cloth.
- Light the diya and incense and take a sankalp, a simple promise of what you are praying for.
- Offer roli, rice and flowers first to Lord Ganesh, then to Shri Ram and Maa Durga.
- During the Aparahna period, worship the Shami tree or Shami leaves and pray to Devi Aparajita for victory in your work.
- Clean your tools, books or vehicle, apply a tilak of roli and offer a flower to them.
- Offer the bhog, do the aarti, and share the prasad and Shami leaves with family and neighbours.
- Touch the feet of elders and take their blessings before going out to watch Ravan Dahan.
Muhurat and timings for 2026
The Dashami tithi begins at about 12:50 PM on 20 October 2026 and ends at about 2:11 PM on 21 October. Dussehra is observed on 20 October because the afternoon (Aparahna) of that day falls in Dashami. For New Delhi the Vijay Muhurat is about 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM, and the wider Aparahna puja time is about 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM. Shravana nakshatra, which is considered especially good on this day, remains till about 6:02 PM. These times are for New Delhi; check your city's panchang, as they shift by a few minutes from place to place. In Bengal, Bijoya Dashami may be observed on 21 October.
How India celebrates
In North India the evening belongs to Ramlila grounds, where huge effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran go up in flames as crowds chant "Jai Shri Ram". In Mysuru the Dasara procession is famous, and in Himachal the Kullu Dussehra goes on for a week. In Maharashtra people exchange Aapta leaves as "gold", and in many places spotting the Neelkanth bird on this day is thought to bring luck.
Dussehra in Gujarat
In Gujarat, Dussehra comes right after the last night of garba, so it has a special mood of both tiredness and joy. The morning is incomplete without fafda and jalebi. Farsan shops open very early and long queues form outside them, and families eat the pair with papaya sambharo and green chillies. Many Rajput and Kshatriya families do shastra puja, businesses start new deals, and people book or bring home new vehicles and gold. Ravan Dahan is held in cities such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot.
Safe and eco-friendly celebration
- Keep children and elders at a safe distance from burning effigies, and follow the barricades.
- Prefer effigies made of bamboo and paper, with fewer firecrackers inside.
- Carry water, keep an eye on small children in crowds, and agree on a meeting point.
- Avoid plastic decorations; use marigold, mango leaves and cloth instead.
- If you buy fafda-jalebi from outside, choose a clean shop and eat fresh.
How to send Dussehra wishes
A short, personal message works better than a long forwarded one. Pick the wishes below by relation, whether for friends, family, customers or a devotional message, then add your name to create a Dussehra greeting card. You can download the card and share it on WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook. For business contacts, send the card in the morning, and for family and friends, sharing it before or after Ravan Dahan feels natural. Add a line about something you want to leave behind this year, and your wish will feel more real.