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क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
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क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
Ashwin • Shukla Paksha • Dashami
The 10th day victory — Rama's triumph over Ravana, and Durga's slaying of Mahishasura. The supreme abujh muhurat.
Date for this festival is not yet available. Please check back later.
Vijayadashami is one of only three Abujh Muhurats of the year (with Akshaya Tritiya and Ugadi) — the entire day is auspicious without consulting a panchang. New ventures, weapon initiation (Shastra Puja), Vidyarambha (a child's first letter writing), starting any sadhana, or signing major contracts all bear maximum fruit. Public Ravana Dahan effigies are burnt at sunset across North India; in Mysore, the Royal Dasara procession is among India's grandest cultural events.
Vijayadashami marks two great victories of dharma. After 9 days of battle, on the 10th day, Lord Rama killed Ravana of Lanka and rescued Sita — the Ramayana culmination. Simultaneously, after a 9-day battle, Goddess Durga slew the buffalo-demon Mahishasura on this 10th day, restoring devic order. The Mahabharata adds that the Pandavas retrieved their weapons from the Shami tree on Vijayadashami, ending their year of incognito exile (Agnyatavasa). All three events on the same tithi establish it as the supreme victory day.
Presiding Deity:Rama, Durga
Shastra Puja: warriors, soldiers, athletes, and even office workers worship their tools/weapons/laptops on this day. Place them on a clean altar, offer flowers, sandal, akshat.
Vidyarambha: an auspicious day for a child's first writing — typically on a plate of rice with a gold/silver pen, the child writes 'Hari Shri Ganapataye Namah'.
Aparajita Puja: worship Goddess Aparajita ('the unconquered') in the late afternoon Vijaya Muhurat, usually under a Shami or Apta tree.
Shami/Apta leaf exchange: in Maharashtra and Karnataka, leaves of the Apta tree are exchanged as 'gold' (sona-leaves) — symbol of the Pandavas retrieving wealth.
Ravana Dahan: at sunset, a giant effigy of Ravana (and often Kumbhakarna and Meghnad) is burnt with arrows of fire by the actor playing Rama in the Ramleela.
Visit a Durga temple, offer a red dupatta, sindoor and red flowers. Recite Durga Stuti.
Begin any new venture without checking a separate muhurat — Vijayadashami's intent itself is the muhurat.
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on TBA — Ashwin Shukla Dashami, the day after Sharad Navratri's 9 nights conclude.
What is the difference between Dussehra and Vijayadashami?
They are the same festival. 'Dussehra' (दश + हरा = 'destroyer of ten') refers to Rama's victory over the ten-headed Ravana. 'Vijayadashami' ('Victory on the 10th') refers to Durga's victory over Mahishasura on the 10th day. Both names point to the same Ashwin Shukla Dashami tithi.
Why are Apta tree leaves called 'gold' on Dussehra?
When the Pandavas retrieved their hidden weapons from the Shami tree at the end of Agnyatavasa, the legend says the Apta tree (mistaken for Shami in some traditions) bore gold coins as leaves. Exchanging these leaves on Vijayadashami invokes wealth-bringing victory and the auspicious end of difficult times.
Can a wedding or grih pravesh happen on Dussehra?
Yes — Vijayadashami is one of the three Abujh Muhurats. Vivah, Grih Pravesh, business inauguration, vehicle purchase, and any sanskar can be performed without consulting a separate muhurat. The day itself is the muhurat.
Why is Ravana effigy burning controversial in some places?
Ravana, despite his arrogance and abduction of Sita, was a great Shiva-bhakta, Vedic scholar, and king of Lanka. Some Brahmin communities (like the Mandsaur Ravana, Bisrakh in UP claimed as his birthplace, and parts of Sri Lanka) revere him for his learning rather than burn him. The festival's larger message is the burning of inner Ravana — ego, lust, anger — not personal hatred.
Sharad Navratri
The 9 nights of Durga — worshipping the nine forms of the Goddess as she conquers Mahishasura, culminating in Vijayadashami.
Ram Navami
The midday birth of Lord Rama in Ayodhya — the supreme avatar of dharma, the Maryada Purushottama.
Akshaya Tritiya
The day whose virtue never diminishes — most auspicious for new beginnings, gold purchase, and charity.
Diwali (Deepavali)
The festival of lights — celebrating the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.
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This page updates automatically every year.