Dussehra

Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, marks a victorious conclusion to the Navratri season and carries two major narrative traditions. In the Ramayana tradition, it commemorates Rama's victory over Ravana after the abduction of Sita. Rama, supported by Lakshmana, Hanuman and the vanara forces, defeats Ravana in Lanka and restores the moral order threatened by his actions. In Shakta traditions, Vijayadashami is also linked with Durga's defeat of Mahishasura after the great battle celebrated during Navratri. These two stories give the day its central theme: the victory of dharma over arrogance, violence and injustice. In many northern cities, Ram Lila performances conclude with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada. Elsewhere weapons, tools, books or instruments may be honoured, and in Bengal the day includes the farewell immersion of Durga images. The festival is therefore both a conclusion and a symbolic invitation to begin righteous work anew.

Dussehra is valued for devotion, family tradition and the spiritual or seasonal meaning attached to the day.

An effigy of Ravana is burnt in the evening, usually with Meghnad and Kumbhakarna beside it. It is a muhurta day: a vehicle is bought, a shop is opened, a child is started at school, and tools and account books are worshipped. Fafda and jalebi are eaten in Gujarat on the morning of it, which is not a rule anybody can explain.

Effigies of Ravana burned across the north at dusk, the end of ten nights of Ramlila. Mysore keeps it as a state procession. In Bengal it is Bijoya Dashami, the day the goddess is carried to the river and immersed. Gujarat keeps it quieter than its own Navratri, and Maharashtra exchanges apta leaves as gold.