Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a cultural festival in India celebrated by the Hindu community. This festival is mainly celebrated in honor of the victory of Rama, who defeated the demon king Ravana. The Dussehra festival begins with the nine-day Navratri festival and the tenth day marks the Durga Puja festival. It starts on October 15, 2023, and ends with October 24, 2023. It is also more popular in Northern India with the theatrical drama of Ram Leela and the burning of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhkaarana sculptures filled with fireworks. It will be a burning night in the open field of joy and delight.
Important date and time of Dussehra 2023
| Shravana Nakshatra begins | October 22, 2023 | 6:44 PM |
| Shravana Nakshatra ends | October 23, 2023 | 5:14 PM |
| Dashami Thithi begins | October 23, 2023 | 5:44 PM |
| Dashami Thithi ends | October 23, 2023 | 3:14 PM |
| Aparahna Puja time | October 24, 2023 | 2:59 PM |
| Vijay Muhurat | October 24, 2023 | 2:12 PM |
Happy Dussehra Wishes
- It is time to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Let us continue in the same spirit. Congratulations Dusshera!
- May God shower his choicest wishes on you and remove all evil obstacles in life. Congratulations Dusshera!
- May Lord Rama continue to illuminate your path of success, and may you achieve victory at every stage of your life. Jay Shree Ram! Happy Dusshera
- May your problems burst away like fireworks and your happiness multiply this Dussehra. Have a happy one!
- May this Dussehra bring you much joy, success and prosperity, and may your worries burn away with the image of Ravana. I wish you a year full of smiles and happiness.
A time for celebration,
A time for the victory of good over evil,
A time when the world sees an example of the power of good.
Happy Dussehra!
Happy Dussehra Quotes
- Problems as light as air, love as deep as the ocean, friends as solid as diamonds and success as bright as gold – these are the wishes for you and your family on the day of Dussehra.
- Dussehra is a festival of victory over bad elements in our lives.
- May Shri Ramji grant you all happiness and love to your family.
- May God bless you with all success on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, and may you be able to defeat all evils in your life.
- Let’s celebrate an auspicious day when we can start new things
to live.
Why is Dussehra celebrated in India?
There are two reasons to celebrate Dussehra or Vijyadashami in India. It revolves around the story of the two Hindu gods.
One of them is the story of Rama, the avatar of Lord Vishnu. He wanted to save his wife Sita from the ten-headed demon Ravana. He then marched the war against Ravana to save his wife. Rama’s triumph over Ravana is celebrated in Northern India as Dussehra or Vijayadashami by burning the demon’s effigies. And the people symbolize this victory of good over evil.
There is also another story that revolves around Goddess Durga, the God of war and motherhood. She was created to kill the Mahishasura, an arrogant demon. He got a boon from Lord Bhrama that he should not be killed by the people, gods or any Asura. Due to bad luck, he misjudged women and thought they were weak people. So the female God Durga achieved victory over the Mahishasura. This auspicious day is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Ayudha Pooja in South India.
9 days Navratri: Dussehra
On the 9th day of Navratri, the 9 different forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped with respect and glory.
1. Shailputri – This is the first form of Goddess Parvati, who is depicted as the reincarnation of Goddess Sati. She is also the daughter of King Himavat. She was worshiped on the first day of Navratri.
2. Brahmacharini – On the second day, Brahmacharini is worshipped, as it is dedicated to Goddess Parvati with severe penance, which is a symbol of wisdom and patience.
3. Chandraghanta – The third day starts with worshiping Goddess Chandraghanta. She is the avatar of Goddess Parvati, with ten armed women holding various weapons in her hands.
4. Kushamanda – Kushamanda is the reincarnation of goddess Parvati with eight hands and presides over the lion. And she is the god of health, wealth and strength.
5. Skandamatha – On the fifth day, Goddess Parvati is depicted as the mother of lord Karthikeya. She is the symbol of calmness and kindness. In this form she fulfills the wishes of her devotees.
6. Katyayini – This avatar of Goddess Parvati who killed the Mahisasura demon. This avatar was created by the power of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
7. Kaalratri – Kaalrati has a dark complexion with long hair and is also the avatar of goddess Parvati. This avatar is tasked with defeating the demons Shumba and Nishumba.
8. Mahagauri – On the eighth day, Goddess Parvati is depicted as the four-armed woman holding the trident, damru and Trishul in her hands.
9. Siddhidatri – In this form she becomes the supreme gog. It is believed that she supports all her followers and devotees and fulfills their wishes. In this form she comes over the lotus.
How Vijayadashami is celebrated in India
At various places in India, this festival is celebrated in various forms mentioned below.
| North India | South India |
| In the northern regions of India, this festival is celebrated with burning of crackers and 9 days of Navratri with Ram Leela (Stage Drama). Many people also burn the effigies of the demons Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. Furthermore, Durga pooja is also held in some regions. This is the fair festival in the North Indian states like Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc. | But the southern region of India like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and more states celebrate this festival in a different way. Here this festival is focused on Lord Durga. On this auspicious day, little children go to their school and also celebrate with workshop books and weapons to respect their work. This day is called Ayudha Pooja in South India. |
Vijayadashami: rituals and culture
On the Dussehra festival, Hindu devotees immerse themselves in the holy river known as the Ganga. It covers the Haridwar, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Garhmukteshwar and Prayagarj. Then comes the festival time with wonderful traditions. They are listed below.
- Ravana statue burnout.
- Ram Leela (story of Rama)
- Devotion to Goddess Durga
- In honor of the weapons and books
- Ganga Aarti Pooja
Images of Dussehra 2023
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