Dussehra

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is observed at the end of the Navaratri cleansing festival, on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu lunar month, typically in September or October, though the exact date varies by year and region.

The festival draws on different regional legends. In northern and western India, it is associated with the triumph of Prince Rama over the demon king Ravana, and is commemorated through readings, plays known as Ramlila, and the symbolic burning of Ravana effigies. In eastern and parts of southern India, it marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, completing Durga Puja and Vijayadashami rites.

Practices vary by region. Ramlila performances are common across many areas; giant effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna are burned in public spaces with fireworks. In some places, a grand Dasara or Vijaya Dashami procession is held, notably in Mysore, Karnataka. In Himachal Pradesh's Kullu Valley, large masked dances and ceremonial processions occur. Markets host fairs, and worship of Saraswati and other deities is common on or around this day.

Dussehra carries cultural significance as a marker of seasonal transition and a time for new beginnings, education, and familial gatherings. It is often followed by the anticipation of the Diwali festival in late autumn. The festival has variations across India and Nepal, reflecting diverse traditions and calendars.