Dussehra (Vijayadashami), a major Hindu holiday in India, is being celebrated on Saturday, October 12, 2024, with tremendous enthusiasm throughout the country. It usually occurs in September or October, at the conclusion of Navratri, a nine-night celebration dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga. Dussehra commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana and Goddess Durga triumphing over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, representing the eternal conflict between good and evil.
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Shubh Muhurat
- Dussehra will start on October 12, 2024, the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin, at 10:58 AM, and end on October 13, 2024, at 9:08 AM.
- The auspicious time frame for worship (Shastra Puja) will begin at 2:02 PM and continue till 2:48 PM, for roughly 46 minutes.
- The Ravan Dahen Muhurat is from 5:45 PM to 8:15 PM for burning effigies of Lankapati Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran, and his son Meghnath.
History and Significance
The celebration is based on an ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, which describes Lord Rama’s life and deeds. According to the mythology, Ravana kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita, resulting in a fierce battle. Dussehra marks the day Rama defeated Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness (dharma) over wickedness (adharma). In some parts, Dussehra also celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, highlighting her power and the notion of feminine strength. It teaches the importance of virtue, courage, and the need to fight against injustice.
Customs and Celebrations across India
Dussehra is celebrated with a variety of rites and customs. Devotees fast, pray, and perform rituals to seek blessings from deities. After days of fasting, families gather to share lavish dinners, which often involve traditional desserts such as besan ladoos and kheer.
Cultural acts, particularly the Ramlila, are staged throughout India and draw big crowds. A popular Ram Lila is organized in Varanasi, where special sets of Ayodhya, Lanka, and Ashok Vatika are constructed for the occasion. In many locations, the burning of Ravana effigies in the evening, which represents the eradication of evil, is a highlight of the event.
Meanwhile, in East India, notably West Bengal, the festival overlaps with Durga Puja, during which magnificent idols of Goddess Durga are worshiped, and the immersion of these idols in water marks the end of the celebrations.
Experience the Famous Dussehra Celebrations
Kullu
In Himachal Pradesh, Kullu Dussehra is celebrated with a unique flair. The week-long festival involves a procession of more than 200 deities from the region, carried on elaborately decorated palanquins to the Dhalpur ground. Traditional dances, music, and local customs fill the air, making it a vibrant celebration worth experiencing that highlights the region’s rich culture.
Mysore
Mysore Dussehra is known for its royal grandeur. The festival lasts for ten days and features a wide range of cultural events, including music and dance performances. The highlight is a magnificent procession on the final day, in which a decorated elephant carries the statue of Goddess Chamundeshwari, culminating in the burning of Ravana’s statue.
Bastar
A festival held in Chhattisgarh to exhibit the region’s unique tribal culture. It is celebrated with unique customs, including the “Mavli Parghav” dance. The festival lasts for more than 75 days. Here, Dussehra is celebrated not as Lord Rama’s victory, but as the end of the annual crop harvest. The focus of this event is the unusual practice of ‘ghatuls,’ in which young girls dressed as goddesses bless farmers’ tools and crops.
Kulasekarapattinam
Kulasekarapattinam, a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, is famous for its special celebration, the “Mutharamman Kovil Festival.” The celebration includes a magnificent procession in which devotees carry bright decorations, traditional rituals, and offerings. The main event is the remarkable recreation of the Ramayana, which ends in the burning of gigantic Ravana effigies. This festival is characterized by a strong sense of community and dedication, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists.
