Dussehra (Vijayadashami or Ayudha Puja) is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Ashwin (Kwar) month. It commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura after a nine-night battle, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Hence, it is also known as Vijayadashami (Vijaya = victory, Dashami = tenth day). Dussehra is one of the three most auspicious days in the year, the others being Pratipada of Chaitra Shukla and Pratipada of Kartik Shukla.

On this day, people perform weapon worship and start new ventures (such as writing, beginning a new business, sowing seeds, etc.), believing that any venture initiated on this day will be successful. In ancient times, kings would pray for victory and set out on military expeditions on this day. Fairs are held in various places, and Ramleela (dramatization of Lord Rama’s life) is performed. Effigies of Ravana are burnt to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

Dussehra is celebrated both as the triumph of Lord Rama and as Durga Puja, representing the worship of Shakti (divine feminine energy). It is a festival of joy, happiness, and victory, revered in Indian culture as a celebration of valor and bravery. It inspires individuals and society to renounce ten types of sins: lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, laziness, violence, and theft.

There is also a cultural aspect to Dussehra. India is primarily an agrarian country, when farmers bring home the golden harvest and grain as wealth, their joy knows no bounds. They attribute this prosperity to divine grace and perform rituals to express their gratitude.

Dussehra is celebrated in various ways across different regions of India. In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as ‘Silangana,’ a social festival where villagers adorn themselves in new clothes and cross the village boundary at dusk, symbolizing the looting of gold from the Shami tree leaves, followed by mutual exchange of that gold.