What is Dusshera? Why is it celebrated?

September 23 2025, 9 min reading time

Dusshera is the tenth day of Navratri wherein the day when Goddess Durga finished showcasing all nine forms of a female and Lord Ram killed Ravana to gain victory of good over evil. Joing hands in celebration and know what and why and how of this festival here.

What is Dusshera? Why is it celebrated? When is Dusshera in 2025?

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in India. It is a time when cities and villages alike come alive with colors, lights, music and a sense of joy that fills the air. But beyond the festive decorations and the sounds of celebration, Dussehra carries a deep meaning that touches hearts and minds.

At its core, it is a celebration of the eternal triumph of good over evil, courage over fear and truth over deceit.

The stories of Lord Rama defeating the demon king Ravana, and Goddess Durga conquering the buffalo demon Mahishasura, are not just myths as they are lessons that inspire people to embrace righteousness and let go of negativity in their own lives.

More than just a religious festival, Dussehra brings families and communities together, creating moments of shared happiness, reflection and hope for a better tomorrow.

What is the significance of Dusshera?

Dussehra holds deep significance that goes far beyond the colorful festivities and grand celebrations. At its heart, the festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, reminding us that no matter how powerful negativity or injustice may seem, truth and righteousness will always prevail. The story of Lord Rama defeating Ravana teaches us the importance of courage, patience and moral integrity.

It encourages people to reflect on their own lives, identifying the “Ravana” within as whether it’s anger, greed, jealousy or any negative habit and to make a conscious effort to overcome it.

In essence, Dussehra is not just about watching effigies burn or participating in rituals as it’s a time to internalize the message that ethical living and adherence to truth are the foundations of a meaningful and balanced life.

The festival also has a strong social and cultural significance. Dussehra brings communities together, fostering a sense of unity and collective joy. Families, friends and neighbors gather to enjoy Ram Leela performances, fairs and festive meals, strengthening social bonds.

In eastern India, where the festival coincides with Durga Puja, the celebrations also emphasize the power and strength of the divine feminine, highlighting courage, protection and the fight against injustice.

Beyond the religious and mythological context, Dussehra inspires people to uphold justice, act with integrity, and contribute positively to society. It is a reminder that while evil exists in the world, it can be defeated through wisdom, determination and righteous action, making the festival timeless and relevant in every generation.

What exactly is Dusshera?

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, is one of India’s most celebrated festivals, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

At its heart, Dussehra is a celebration of victory, whether it is Lord Rama defeating the ten-headed demon king Ravana, as told in the Ramayana, or Goddess Durga conquering the buffalo demon Mahishasura, as celebrated in eastern India. While the stories differ across regions, the core message remains the same as righteousness and virtue will always overcome wrongdoing and evil forces.

The festival is not just about the epic tales themselves but about the deeper life lessons they convey as encouraging courage, morality and hope.

In many parts of India, the celebrations begin with a nine-day period called Navratri, where people fast, pray and honor Goddess Durga, leading up to the tenth day, Dussehra, when the ultimate victory is celebrated with grandeur.

What makes Dussehra truly special is the way it brings communities together. Across towns and villages, people gather to witness Ram Leela performances, which are theatrical enactments of Lord Rama’s journey and his battle with Ravana.

In some regions, giant effigies of Ravana, along with his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad, are made and set ablaze, symbolizing the destruction of evil.

In eastern states like West Bengal, the festival coincides with the grand finale of Durga Puja, when devotees bid farewell to Goddess Durga by immersing her idols in rivers or seas, celebrating her victory over Mahishasura.

Beyond the rituals, Dussehra is a time for personal reflection, where people think about their own lives, their actions and their struggles, reminding them to overcome negativity and strive to do good.

What are the stories behind this celebration?

The stories behind Dussehra are rooted deeply in Indian mythology, reflecting the eternal struggle between good and evil. The most widely known tale comes from the Ramayana, the epic story of Lord Rama.

According to legend, the demon king Ravana, who was powerful but arrogant and cruel, abducted Goddess Sita, Lord Ram’s devoted wife. To rescue her, Lord Ram, with the help of his brother Lord Lakshmana, the loyal Lord Hanuman, and a devoted army of monkeys, waged a fierce battle against Ravana.

After days of combat, Lord Ram emerged victorious, defeating Ravana and freeing Goddess Sita. This triumph is not just a tale of war as it symbolizes the victory of righteousness, truth and moral integrity over ego, cruelty and injustice.

When people celebrate Dussehra by burning effigies of Ravana, they are remembering that evil, no matter how mighty it appears, can never prevail against virtue and courage.

In addition to the Ramayana, there is another story that gives Dussehra a significant place in eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. This tale centers around Goddess Durga, the fierce and compassionate warrior goddess.

According to legend, the buffalo demon Mahishasura had gained immense powers and terrorized the heavens and the earth. The gods, unable to defeat him, combined their energies to create Goddess Durga, who fought Mahishasura for nine days and nights.

On the tenth day, she vanquished him, restoring peace and balance. This story conveys that strength, determination, and the righteous use of power can overcome oppression and chaos. Through rituals, prayers and vibrant Durga Puja celebrations, devotees honor her courage and seek her blessings for protection and moral guidance in their own lives.

How is Dusshera celebrated?

The celebrations leading up to and culminating in Dusshera are a breathtaking tapestry of regional customs, each thread vibrant with devotion and joy, truly reflecting the diversity of India itself. For the nine nights of Navratri, the country becomes a stage for myriad expressions of faith.

In the north, towns and villages come alive with Ramlila, where communities gather under the open sky to watch epic theatrical re-enactments of Lord Rama's life, their collective anticipation building with each passing night.

Meanwhile, in the west, the state of Gujarat and beyond transforms into a whirl of color and rhythm during Garba and Dandiya Raas, where people dressed in dazzling traditional attire dance in synchronized, concentric circles, their steps a joyful celebration of divine feminine energy.

Across the nation, many devotees observe these days with fasting and heartfelt prayer, seeking spiritual blessings and inner strength.

This immense build-up explodes on the tenth day in a grand finale as in massive grounds, towering effigies of the demon king Ravana are stuffed with fireworks and set ablaze amidst roaring cheers, symbolizing the destruction of evil.

Simultaneously, in Bengal, the celebration takes on a more poignant tone as beautifully crafted idols of Goddess Durga are carried in emotional, joyous processions for immersion in water, symbolizing her ceremonial return to the heavens.

Beyond the rituals, this victorious day is also considered profoundly auspicious as a time to channel that triumphant energy into new beginnings, from starting a business or buying a new vehicle to embarking on learning a new skill, weaving the festival's essence into the very fabric of daily life.

When is Dusshera in 2025?

In 2025, Dussehra will be celebrated on Thursday, 2nd October. The festival’s date is determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar, which is why it changes every year on the Gregorian calendar.

Specifically, Dussehra falls on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Ashwin. This day marks the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival, which is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms.

People across India, irrespective of their region, eagerly await this day to come together in celebration, performing rituals, enjoying cultural events and reflecting on the deeper spiritual meaning of the festival.

In 2025, the anticipation will be heightened as families and communities prepare for the grand festivities, from arranging Ram Leela performances to organizing fairs and other traditional activities.

Interestingly, Dussehra in 2025 coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, India’s national celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. This rare overlap brings an additional layer of significance to the day, as both the festival and Gandhi’s life embody themes of truth, righteousness and the triumph of good over evil.

On this day, while people engage in customary rituals like burning effigies of Ravana or performing Durga Puja immersions in eastern India, it also serves as a reminder of moral courage, ethical living, and standing up for justice as values that resonate both in mythology and in modern life.

Marking 2nd October 2025 on calendars is not just about noting a date for celebration as it’s about anticipating a day filled with joy, reflection and meaningful traditions that unite millions of people across the country.

So, as the last embers of Ravana's effigy cool and the joyful chants for the Goddess fade into the night, Dusshera leaves us with a quiet, personal question. It asks us to look within and identify the Ravana we each need to conquer, be it our pride, our fear or our ignorance.

This festival is far more than a historical memory as it is an annual invitation to ignite the goodness within ourselves, to believe in the possibility of our own victories and to carry that light forward, long after the fireworks have dimmed.

Written by: Nikita, Article and Content Writer, Editor, Strategist at Rudraksha Hub

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