Dussehra/Vijayadashami 2024 Date and time: This year, Dussehra and Vijayadashami fall on October 12, 2024.
The Dashami Tithi (tenth lunar day) begins at 10:58 AM on October 12 and ends at 09:08 AM on October 13.
Dussehra, one of India's most cherished festivals, is a grand celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated across India with great fervour and enthusiasm. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin, the seventh month in the Hindu calendar, typically falling in September or October. Dussehra brings together diverse traditions and joyous festivities.
Why is Dussehra celebrated?
Dussehra signifies different historical and cultural events in various regions of India, each adding a unique flavour to the festivities. Dussehra's significance lies in its celebration of victory. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, the festival marks the culmination of Durga Puja, commemorating the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. This victory symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of dharma (righteousness).
In the northern, central, and western states, Dussehra is synonymous with the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, as recounted in the epic Ramayana. This aspect of the festival highlights the victory of virtue and righteousness over sin and immorality.
Additionally, Dussehra is a time to honour one of the aspects of the goddess Devi, such as Durga or Saraswati, emphasizing the divine feminine power and its role in maintaining balance and harmony in the universe.
Celebrations Across India
1. Northern India: In states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, Dussehra is celebrated with dramatic enactments of the Ramayana through Ramlila performances. These plays, which can last for several days, culminate in the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran, symbolizing the destruction of evil. The effigy burning is often accompanied by fireworks and large public gatherings, creating a festive and spirited atmosphere.
2. Southern India: In Karnataka, especially in the city of Mysore, Dussehra is celebrated as a state festival called 'Nada Habba.' The Mysore Palace is illuminated, and a grand procession featuring the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari on a golden mantapa atop a decorated elephant is carried out. The city comes alive with cultural performances, music, dance, and a significant fair, attracting tourists from all over the world.
In the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, Kulasekarapattinam is known for its unique and elaborate Dussehra celebrations, featuring costume plays where devotees dress up as gods, goddesses, and mythological characters. This tradition, known as 'Kulasai Mutharamman Dasara,' involves participants walking through the streets in their elaborate costumes, creating a visual spectacle that is both mesmerizing and spiritually uplifting.
In some regions of South India, Vijayadashami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and arts. A key part of the celebration is the Vidyarambam ceremony, where young children are initiated into learning and writing. Families gather at temples and cultural centers for the Vidyarambam ritual, where parents help their children write their first letters on a plate of raw rice. This symbolic act is believed to invoke Goddess Saraswati's blessings for a fruitful education.
3. Eastern India: In West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, Dussehra marks the end of Durga Puja. Elaborate idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped in decorated pandals, and on the tenth day, these idols are immersed in rivers or other water bodies. The Visarjan ceremony involves singing, dancing, and drumbeats, signifying the goddess's return to her heavenly abode.
4. Western India: In Maharashtra, Dussehra involves rituals and seeking blessings for prosperity. People exchange Apta leaves, symbolizing gold, as tokens of goodwill. In Gujarat, the festival coincides with the culmination of Navratri, featuring traditional Garba and Dandiya Raas dances in colourful attire, creating a vibrant ambience.
5. Northeastern India: In states like Tripura, Dussehra is celebrated with processions and cultural events marking the end of Durga Puja. The immersion of Durga idols is conducted with great devotion and festivity.
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