Dussehra & Vijayadashami The festival of victory, explained.
260 guides across 13 topics, covering the Ramayana and Ramlila, Durga and Shakti traditions, regional Dasara customs, festival food, family activities, travel and plans for 2027.
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History, meaning & core traditions
What Dussehra and Vijayadashami celebrate, why the festival follows Navratri, and the customs most families share.
Ramayana, Ramlila & Ravana
The Ramayana stories behind Dussehra, how Ramlila retells them, and how Ravana is understood across traditions.
Durga, Vijayadashami & Shakti traditions
Durga's victory over Mahishasura, Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela, and Vijayadashami in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura.
Regional traditions across India
How Dussehra is celebrated city by city, from Mysuru Dasara and Kullu to Delhi, Varanasi, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Ayudha Puja, Vidyarambham & Shami
Honouring tools and vehicles, Vidyarambham, Shami and Apta leaves, Simollanghan and a simple puja at home.
Food, sweets & fasting
Festival dishes and mithai, regional specialities, prasad ideas, and how food changes from the Navratri fast to the Dussehra feast.
Wishes, quotes & messages
Wishes in Hindi, English and five regional languages, plus greetings and captions for family, colleagues and social posts.
Kids, school essays & crafts
Essays, speeches, quizzes, worksheets and crafts that help children learn what Dussehra means.
Decor, rangoli & celebration ideas
Rangoli and home decoration, eco-friendly effigies, and ideas for community, office and apartment celebrations.
Travel, fairs & Ramlila
Where to see Mysuru Dasara, Kullu Dussehra, Ramnagar Ramlila and Bastar, with trip planning, etiquette and photography tips.
Dussehra around the world
Dussehra in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, the UAE and Singapore, and how it compares with Diwali, Navratri, Durga Puja and Onam.
Dussehra 2027 city events
Dussehra 2027 events in Indian cities from Delhi to Kolkata, plus New Jersey and Toronto, and how to find celebrations near you.
Questions & comparisons
Short, direct answers to specific Dussehra questions, with side-by-side comparisons of related customs.
About the 2027 date
Standard Vijayadashami is marked on Saturday, October 9, 2027, in India-centric calendars, whereas Bengali Vijayadashami may follow a different calculation and occur on Sunday, October 10, 2027. Precise puja timings vary by location, and public event timings should be verified with the respective organizers.