Why Is Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami & What is its significance?
Last Updated :
21 Feb, 2024
Why Is Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami & What is its significance?: Dussehra popularly known as Vijayadashami is a festival that carries mythological & cultural significance. Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami means “the tenth day of victory.” In 2024, Dussehra is on 12th October 2024. It commemorates the victory of good over evil, truth over falsehood, and righteousness over injustice.
Dussehra gives time for togetherness amongst family and friends. It signifies new beginnings. Dussehra comes on the 10th day of the Ashvina month i.e. September-October. In this article, we will talk about Dusshera, its significance, why is it called Vijayadashami, important details of Dussehra festival, Muhurat/ Puja timings of Dussehra, why we celebrate it, the the performance of Hawan by Lord Ram to defeat Ravan, Puja Rituals & how people celebrate Dussehra in various regions of India.
Why is Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami & What is its significance?
Dussehra popularly known as Vijayadashami, is a Sanskrit word which means “the tenth day of victory.” In North India & Karnataka, it is called Dussehra while in West Bengal, it is more commonly known as Vijayadashami.
Dussehra gives time for family gatherings and celebrations. People exchange gifts, sweets, and other delicacies, visit temples and pray for good fortune and prosperity.
Important Details about Dussehra
Given below are important rituals and traditions of Dussehra:
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Ritual
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Significance
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Ramleela
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The entire Ramayana is depicted in the form of plays, dance and theatrical acts.
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Ravana’s Staue being burnt
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In order to celebrate victory of good over evil, effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran are burnt.
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Worship of Goddess Durga
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In 2024, Durga Puja will be celebrated from 9th-13th October 2024. People pay homage to Goddess Durga who killed the demon Mahishasura.
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Worshipping of Weapons
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After Goddess Durga defeated the demon, weapons used by her were worshipped by the Gods. This day is known as Ayudha Day or Shastra Puja.
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There are several reasons why Vijayadashmi is the other name for Dussehra, such as:
- Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana is commemorated. In Ramayana, Lord Rama and his allies fought Ravana, who has abducted Sita. After a long and fierce battle, Ravana was defeated & Sita was rescued. Thus, celebrating ‘victory of good over evil.’
- Goddess Durga’s victory over the Mahishasura, buffalo demon is commemorated. In the Hindu scriptures, Goddess Durga, a warrior goddess protects good from the evil. Dussehra celebrates one of her victories, the defeat of Mahishasura.
Dussehra marks the end of the nine-day Navratri festival. Shakti, the different forms of the Hindu goddess is celebrated during Dussehra which falls on the 10th and final day of Navratri.
Dussehra: Muhurat, Tithi, Puja Timings
On 12th October, 2024 in India Dussehra will be celebrated. Given below are the puja timings for Dussehra:
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Events
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Date and Day
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Starts
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Ends
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| Dashami Tithi Begins |
12 October 2024, Saturday |
10:58 AM |
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| Dashami Tithi Ends |
13 October 2024, Sunday |
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09:08 AM |
| Vijay Muhurata |
12 October 2024, Saturday |
02:05 PM |
02:52 PM |
| Aparahna Pooja Time |
13 October 2024, Sunday |
01:17 PM |
03:40 PM |
Significance of Dussehra
Dussehra gives time to reflect the importance of values such as victory of good over evil, truth over falsehood, righteousness over injustice and to live our lives accordingly.
Dussehra carries significance because of the following reasons:
- Victory of good over evil: Lord Rama’s victory over King Ravana is celebrated as it means the triumph of good over evil, truth over falsehood, and righteousness over injustice.
- Importance of unity and cooperation: Lord Rama & his allies defeated Ravana, from which we learn the value of unity and cooperation to achieve our goals.
- New beginnings: During Dussehra, many people start new businesses or ventures on this day, reflect on their past and make resolutions for the future.
- Togetherness: Dussehra gives people time for family gatherings and celebrations, they exchange gifts, sweets, other delicacies & pray for good fortune and prosperity when they visit temples.
Why do we celebrate Dussehra?
Being a Hindu festival, Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana is mainly why Dussehra is celebrated all across India. It also celebrates Goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasur at the end of Navratri. Dussehra popularly known as Vijyadashami means the victory of good over evil. As per the Hindu calendar, it is on the 10th day of Ashwin or Kartik month, Dussehra falls.
Country-wide processions carrying statues of Durga, Saraswati, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and more are carried to rivers or oceans and immersed during this festival. The effigies of Ravana, the demon king of Sri Lanka are burnt, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Fireworks are lightened as part of celebrations. After this, preparations for Diwali begin.
It is believed that on the last day of Navratri, the 9th day Lord Ram performed a hawan or yajna to please Goddess Durga inorder to kill Ravan and win the war.
Celebration of Dussehra in Different Cities
Celebrated all across India, Dussehra or Vijayadashami witnesses great zeal and enthusiasm. Large public processions, enactment of Ram Leela, other cultural programmes, fairs and exhibitions can be seen during Dussehra apart from Ravan Dahan. Bursting of crackers and feasting being a common sight.
Given below in the table, are details of how Dussehra is celebrated in different cities of India:
Dussehra Celebration in India
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Region of India
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Celebration of Dussehra
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Delhi
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Delhi, is known for organizing Ramleela events where the entire Ramayana is enacted. Effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran are burnt.
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West Bengal
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Durga Visarjan is held, in which idols of Maa Durga are immersed in holy water, marking the end of the five-day Durga Puja festival. The Durga Visarjan procession is a grand and colourful spectacle in which devotees sing and dance on traditional songs while carrying the idol of Maa Durga through the streets.
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South India
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Ayudha Puja is celebrated in many areas of Southern India, in which weapons, vehicles and machines are performed on the day of Dussehra.
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Mysore
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Mysore in Karnataka is famous for Mysuru Dassara on Vijayadashami day. Apart from this, people pray to the Goddess Chamundeshwari who killed the demon Mahishasura.
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Bastar
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People in Bastar, Chhattisgarh worship the Goddess Danteshwari during Dussehra.
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Kerala
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During Dussehra, in Kerala small children are introduced to education for the 1st time on the day of Vidhyarambam.
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Dussehra 2024: Puja Rituals
During Dussehra, the following rituals are performed in the order given below.
- It is advised, that one should wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
- The house should be cleaned and prayers are offered to Lord Rama.
- Idols of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran are made out of cow dung.
- Diyas filled with desi ghee are lit and sweets are offered.
- While praying to Lord Rama, flowers are offered.
- Rangolis are made at the entrance of a house.
- Towards the end, in the evening or at night, diyas and earthen lamps are lit, in order to beautify the house.
Conclusion
Dussehra which falls on the 10th day of the Ashvina month, i.e. September-October. Popularly known as Vijayadashami, this year it is on 12th October 2024. Dussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil which was evidently seen when Ravana was defeated by Lord Ram. This victory celebrated with enthusiasm and zeal all across India, where many fairs & rituals take place.
A perfect time to be together amongst family & friends, Dussehra focuses on unity & cooperation and new beginnings. Dussehra is a time to reflect upon ourselves, making us live our life based on virtues such as goodness, truthfulness and righteousness.
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FAQs on Why Is Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami & What is its significance?
What is Dussehra?
Dussehra which falls on the 10th day of the Ashvina month of i.e. September-October, commemorates Lord Ram’s victory over the demon king, Ravana signifying victory of good over evil.
When is Dussehra in 2024?
This year, on 12th October 2024 Dussehra will be celebrated.
Why Is Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami?
Dussehra popularly known as Vijayadashami, is a Sanskrit word which means “the tenth day of victory” i.e. Lord Ram defeating Ravana alongwith his allies.
Why is Dussehra celebrated?
Dussehra is celebrated because Lord Ram defeated Ravana, signifying the victory of good over evil.
Did Lord Ram perform a hawan before killing Ravana?
In order to win the war by defeating Ravana, Lord Ram performed a hawan to gain blessings of Goddess Durga on Navratri’s last day.
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