October 20: Millions of people across India are celebrating Dussehra with prayers, processions, cultural performances and the ceremonial burning of giant effigies. The festival, widely associated with the victory of good over evil, is observed through different traditions across the country.
Dussehra is commonly linked to Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan, the ten-headed king from the Hindu epic Ramayana. In several regions, the festival is also observed as Vijayadashami, commemorating Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
The celebrations take place on the tenth day following Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to worship and cultural activities. Although the central theme remains similar, regional customs give the occasion different forms across India.
Ramlila Performances Lead Northern Celebrations
In northern India, the days leading up to Dussehra often feature Ramlila performances, theatrical presentations based on the Ramayana. Actors wear elaborate costumes and makeup to portray the story of Lord Ram’s exile, Sita’s abduction by Ravan and the final battle between Ram and Ravan.
The performances generally conclude with the burning of large effigies representing Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran and his son Meghnath. The ritual symbolises the defeat of evil and the importance of righteousness.
Public celebrations often include food stalls, amusement rides and other cultural performances, bringing families and communities together. The scale and style of these events vary between cities and towns.
Durga Puja Marks Vijayadashami in Eastern India
In eastern India, particularly West Bengal, Vijayadashami is closely associated with the conclusion of Durga Puja. The festival honours Goddess Durga and her victory over Mahishasura, representing the triumph of divine power over destructive forces.
Temporary structures known as pandals are erected across cities and towns to house elaborately decorated idols of Goddess Durga and other deities. Devotees and visitors move between these installations to offer prayers and view the artistic displays.
Kolkata is particularly known for its Durga Puja celebrations, where pandal decorations often feature distinctive artistic designs and themes inspired by culture, society and current affairs. These displays have become an important part of the city’s public and cultural life.
Durga Puja is also celebrated by Hindu communities in other parts of India and in neighbouring Bangladesh, with local traditions shaping the festivities.
A Festival With Regional Traditions
Dussehra and Vijayadashami demonstrate how a shared religious occasion can be expressed through different regional practices. While effigy burning and Ramlila performances are prominent in many northern areas, worship of Goddess Durga forms a central part of celebrations in eastern regions.
Across these traditions, the festival carries themes of courage, responsibility and the victory of good over evil. Religious ceremonies, public gatherings and cultural performances also provide opportunities for communities to preserve traditions and participate in shared celebrations.
Dussehra and the Approach of Diwali
Dussehra also signals the beginning of preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights, which traditionally falls about 20 days after Dussehra in the Hindu calendar.
As families and communities mark the occasion, the celebrations connect religious stories with local customs and public cultural events. The festival remains an important part of India’s annual festive season, bringing together a wide range of traditions under a common theme of the triumph of good over evil.