# Dussehra and Vijayadashami: the victorious tenth day > Vijayadashami, also called Dussehra or Dasara, is the tenth day after Sharad Navratri, celebrating the victory of good over evil: Rama's defeat of Ravana and Durga's defeat of Mahishasura. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday 21 October per the Bengal calendar; check your local panchang, as regional calendars can differ. It is marked by Ramlila and the burning of Ravana effigies in north India, the Dasara procession in Mysuru, Shami puja and Ayudha Puja traditions in the west and south, and Bijoya Dashami, with idol immersion and greetings, in Bengal. Source: https://pujoparikramaguide.in/navratri/dussehra-vijayadashami/ (updated 2026-10-06) **Vijayadashami** ("the victorious tenth"), also called **Dussehra** or **Dasara**, is the day after the nine nights of [Navratri](/navratri/). It celebrates the victory of good over evil, remembered in two great stories: **Rama's defeat of Ravana** in the Ramayana and **Durga's defeat of Mahishasura** in the *Devi Mahatmya*. In 2026, Vijayadashami falls on **Wednesday 21 October** per the Bengal calendar; check your local panchang, as regional almanacs can differ. Across India the day looks very different: burning effigies on Delhi's Ramlila grounds, a royal procession in Mysuru, tearful farewells to the Goddess on Kolkata's ghats, and children starting their first lessons in Kerala. ## Two stories of victory **Rama and Ravana.** In the Ramayana, Ravana, king of Lanka, abducts Sita. Rama, with Lakshmana, Hanuman and an army, fights Ravana and kills him. In a widely loved retelling, Rama first worships the Goddess for her blessing: Bengal tradition calls this *akal bodhon*, the untimely awakening of Durga in autumn, and sees in it the origin of the autumn Durga Puja. **Durga and Mahishasura.** In the *Devi Mahatmya*, the buffalo demon Mahishasura can't be defeated by any god. The gods pool their energies to create the Goddess, who fights him and kills him. Navratri is often read as the nine nights of that battle, and the tenth as the day of victory. ## North India: Ramlila and Ravan dahan In much of north India, the nine nights are the season of **Ramlila**, staged retellings of the Ramayana by local troupes in open grounds, some running for many years in the same neighbourhood. The Ramlila of Ramnagar in Varanasi is among the most famous, and UNESCO has recognised the Ramlila tradition as intangible cultural heritage. On Dussehra evening, towering effigies of **Ravana**, often with his brother **Kumbhakarna** and son **Meghnad**, are filled with firecrackers and set alight with an arrow after the final scene. This is **Ravan dahan**. Crowds gather in the thousands in cities and towns, and fairs (*melas*) sell food and toys. Families also worship weapons, tools and vehicles, and many begin new ventures on this day, which is considered especially auspicious. ## Mysuru Dasara In Karnataka, **Mysuru Dasara** is the state festival, with a history tied to the Wodeyar royal family and earlier to the Vijayanagara kingdom. Mysore Palace is lit up with thousands of bulbs for the festival. On Vijayadashami, the **Jamboo Savari** procession carries the image of the goddess **Chamundeshwari** on a golden howdah atop a decorated elephant through the city, followed by tableaux, music and dance. ## Bengal: Bijoya Dashami In Bengal, the day is **[Bijoya Dashami](/durga-puja/rituals/dashami/)**. The mood is bittersweet: the Goddess, seen as a daughter visiting her parents' home, is returning to Shiva in Kailash. After a final puja, the priest performs *darpan visarjan*, immersing the Goddess's reflection in a mirror or bowl of water. Married women offer sweets and paan to the Goddess and play **[sindoor khela](/durga-puja/rituals/sindoor-khela/)**, smearing vermilion on each other. The idols are then carried, with drums and dancing, for immersion in the river. After the immersion, people say **"Shubho Bijoya"**, touch elders' feet, embrace friends and share sweets such as narkel naru and nimki. Visiting and Bijoya greetings continue for days. See our [Bijoya Dashami wishes](/durga-puja/bijoya-dashami-wishes/) page for greetings in Bengali and English. ## Western India: Shami puja and apta leaves In Maharashtra and other regions, people worship the **Shami** tree on Dasara. The Mahabharata tells how the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their year in disguise and recovered them before battle. Maharashtrian families also exchange **apta** leaves as *sone* (gold), with greetings, a symbol of sharing prosperity. *Seemollanghan*, crossing the village boundary, is another old custom of the day. ## South India: Ayudha Puja and new beginnings In Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, **Ayudha Puja** is usually observed on **Navami**: tools, vehicles, books, musical instruments and computers are cleaned, decorated and worshipped alongside **Saraswati Puja**. On Vijayadashami, many families in Kerala and Tamil Nadu hold *Vidyarambham*, when young children write their first letters, often in rice or sand. The Golu doll displays of Navratri are put away after the day. ## Other regions - **Gujarat:** the last night of [garba](/navratri/garba-dandiya/) and Dussehra feasts of fafda and jalebi. - **Himachal Pradesh:** **Kullu Dussehra** begins on Vijayadashami and lasts several days, with deities brought from surrounding villages. - **Nepal:** **Dashain**, the country's biggest festival, where elders give *tika* and the barley shoots (*jamara*) from [ghatasthapana](/navratri/ghatasthapana/). - **Chhattisgarh:** **Bastar Dussehra** is a long festival focused on the local goddess Danteshwari rather than on Ravana. ## The day after Navratri at home If you kept a kalash during Navratri, Vijayadashami is often the day to close it: offer a final puja, distribute the barley sprouts and pour the water into plants. Many people also treat it as an auspicious day to buy something new, begin a course or start a business. ## Frequently asked questions **When is Dussehra in 2026?** Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is on Wednesday 21 October 2026 per the Bengal calendar. Some regional calendars may differ, so confirm the date and any muhurta in your local panchang. **Are Dussehra and Vijayadashami the same?** Yes, they are names for the same tenth day. Dussehra (from 'ten' and 'removal' of evil, often linked to Ravana's ten heads) is the common north Indian name; Vijayadashami means 'the victorious tenth'; Dasara is used in Karnataka and Maharashtra. **Why is Ravana's effigy burned on Dussehra?** Burning the effigies of Ravana, often with his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad, re-enacts Rama's victory in the Ramayana and symbolises the destruction of pride and evil. It usually follows days of Ramlila performances. **How is Vijayadashami celebrated in Bengal?** In Bengal it is Bijoya Dashami: the Goddess is bid farewell with a final puja and darpan visarjan, married women play sindoor khela, idols are taken for immersion, and people greet each other with Shubho Bijoya, sweets and embraces. **What is Shami puja on Dussehra?** Shami puja is the worship of the Shami tree on Vijayadashami, linked to the Mahabharata story of the Pandavas hiding their weapons in a Shami tree during exile. In Maharashtra, people also exchange apta leaves as symbolic gold.