Rama · Durga
Dussehra · Vijayadashami
The tenth day of victory — Ravana falls, the Devi prevails.
Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Dashami
In the simplest words
Good wins! Giant effigies of Ravan go up in fireworks because Ram defeated him today — and Durga defeated Mahishasura. Evil looks big, but it loses.
The story & purpose
Two victories share one day: Rama's over Ravana, and Durga's over Mahishasura. Effigies burn at dusk across the north as Ramlila ends; in Bengal the Devi is carried to the water for visarjan with shubho bijoya greetings.
The day's quieter rite is the shami tree's: on it the Pandavas hid their weapons for the year of disguise, and from it Arjuna took them back on Vijayadashami — so the tree is thanked, and its leaves (or apta leaves in Maharashtra) exchanged as 'gold'. Kings once crossed their frontiers today — seemollanghan — and the custom survives in every venture that picks this date to begin.
What is done
Ravana dahan
The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad burn after sunset.
Shami & Aparajita puja
The shami tree and the unconquered Devi honoured in Vijay muhurat.
Ayudha puja · Vidyarambham
In the south, tools, instruments and books are worshipped on Mahanavami (Ayudha Puja); Kerala writes children's first letters on Vijayadashami (Vidyarambham).
Best timings
Vijay muhurat falls in the aparahna — the classical hour for beginning ventures.
Exact muhurat varies by city and tradition — for the precise hour, consult a local panchang for your location.
Worth knowing
Kullu's Dussehra begins when others end — a week of deity processions.
The day is held so auspicious that no muhurat-checking is needed for new work.
Bengal closes Bijoya Dashami with sindoor khela — married women smear vermilion on the Devi, then on each other, before the immersion.
Mantras of this festival
Note: Some 2026 panchangs mark 19 October where dashami prevails at aparahna that day.