Vijayadashami means the day of victory. It falls on the tenth day of the bright half of Ashwina, at the end of Sharad Navratri. Different regions remember it for different victories: the Goddess over Mahishasura, Rama over Ravana, and the Pandavas’ return from hiding. It is also regarded as a day on which any new beginning, such as a child’s first lesson, is auspicious.
Timing
The main puja is done in the afternoon, in a window called Aparahna, which differs by city and also depends on the tithi and, in some years, the nakshatra Shravana. The Dussehra page lists the date and the puja windows for 49 cities. City pages such as New Delhi, Toronto and Singapore show the local times, and the any-city tool works out other places. We do not give dates here. For the nine nights before, see the Navratri daily puja.
Samagri: what to gather
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Tools, books, vehicles, instruments, weapons | Cleaned and placed on the altar for Ayudha puja |
| Picture of Durga and Aparajita, a book of the Devi Mahatmya | Worship |
| Shami leaves, or branch | Offered, and exchanged in some regions |
| Flowers, marigold garland, sandal, kumkum, rice | Worship |
| A lamp, incense, camphor | Worship and aarti |
| Sweets, fruit, coconut | Naivedya |
| Cow dung and clay for a small mound, in some regions | Aparajita puja at the field |
| Slate or notebook, rice tray | For Vidyarambham with a child |
Steps in order
- Clean your tools, books, instruments and vehicles, and place them on a cloth. Mark each with kumkum and sandal, and put flowers on them.
- Light the lamp, invoke Ganesha and Saraswati, and worship the tools and books with flowers, rice and incense.
- Worship Durga or Aparajita with her picture and an aarti. The Ambe aarti is a common choice.
- In the late afternoon, many families go to a Shami tree, offer it water, rice and flowers, and take a few leaves, which are exchanged as a symbol of gold (sona) in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- In the evening, witness or take part in the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnada where this is done in your locality.
- In south India, begin a child’s first writing (Vidyarambham): the child writes the first letters in a tray of rice, guided by an elder or teacher.
- Share sweets and meet elders for blessings.
The katha
The Ramayana tradition says that Rama, with the army of the vanaras, fought Ravana, the king of Lanka, who had carried away Sita. After many days of battle, Rama ended Ravana’s rule, and Sita was restored. In the north the day is remembered with the Ramlila and the burning of effigies.
Another story relates to the Pandavas. When they went into a year of hiding after their exile, they hid their weapons in the hollow of a Shami tree. At the end of the year, on this day, they took them back, worshipped the tree, and returned to their rightful place. This is why the Shami is worshipped and its leaves are exchanged. The stories are told as sacred narrative; their details vary by region.
Regional variations
Customs differ by region and family; follow your family’s custom. In Bengal Durga Puja ends with immersion on this day. In Mysuru, a grand procession is held, and in Kullu a week of celebration begins. In Kerala and Karnataka, books and instruments are worshipped as Saraswati Puja and the day is for Vidyarambham. In Maharashtra the Shami leaves are called sona.
Fasting and food
Many who fasted through Navratri break their fast on this day with a festive meal. It is not a fast day itself. If you have kept a long fast, return to normal meals slowly and with a doctor’s advice if you have diabetes, a heart condition or take regular medication.
Frequently asked questions
↳ What is Ayudha puja?
It is the worship of tools, books, vehicles and instruments, regarded as the means of one's livelihood. Many people set them aside from use for the day.
↳ Why is Shami worshipped?
The Shami tree is linked with the Pandavas' weapons and with victory. Its leaves are shared in some regions as a token of gold.
↳ Is Dussehra only about Rama and Ravana?
No. In the north it recalls Rama's victory, in Bengal the Goddess's, and in the south it is a day of learning. Each is a different strand of the festival.
↳ Is this a good day to start something new?
In the tradition the whole day is considered auspicious, so people begin studies, businesses or lessons. This is custom, not a promise of outcome.