Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is being celebrated across India with prayers, traditional rituals and the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. The festival represents the victory of good over evil.
The Dashami Tithi will begin at 12:50 pm on October 20 and end at 2:11 pm on October 21. In New Delhi, the auspicious Vijay Muhurat will be observed from 1:59 pm to 2:45 pm on October 20. Devotees traditionally conduct Vijayadashami puja and other religious rituals during this period.
Ravan Dahan timings
Ravan Dahan remains one of the main attractions of Dussehra celebrations. Effigies are set alight at Ramlila grounds and other public venues in different parts of the country. The exact time, however, differs from one city and venue to another based on the schedule fixed by local organisers.
People intending to attend the celebrations should check the announcements issued by their local Ramlila committees or event organisers for confirmed timings and venue information.
City-wise Vijay Muhurat timings
- New Delhi: 1:59 pm – 2:45 pm
- Noida: 1:59 pm – 2:44 pm
- Gurugram: 2:00 pm – 2:46 pm
- Chandigarh: 2:00 pm – 2:46 pm
- Jaipur: 2:06 pm – 2:51 pm
- Kolkata: 1:17 pm – 2:03 pm
- Mumbai: 2:19 pm – 3:06 pm
- Pune: 2:16 pm – 3:02 pm
- Ahmedabad: 2:20 pm – 3:06 pm
- Bengaluru: 2:02 pm – 2:49 pm
- Hyderabad: 1:57 pm – 2:44 pm
- Chennai: 1:52 pm – 2:39 pm
Religious significance of Ravana Dahan
Ravana Dahan commemorates Lord Ram’s victory over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who had abducted Sita. The occasion symbolises the triumph of Dharma over Adharma. The term ‘Vijayadashami’ combines ‘Vijay’, meaning victory, and ‘Dashami’, referring to the tenth day.
The festival is observed after the nine-day Navratri celebrations. The word Dussehra is derived from the Sanskrit terms ‘dasha’ and ‘hara’, meaning ‘ten’ and ‘defeat’. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana’s ten heads represent ten negative qualities: Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Moha (attachment), Lobha (greed), Mada (pride), Matsarya (jealousy), Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (will) and Ahankara (ego).
The burning of the effigies is therefore also seen as a symbolic effort to eliminate these vices from within.
Spiritual significance
- Victory of good over evil: The festival conveys that good ultimately prevails, regardless of how powerful evil may appear.
- Triumph of truth: Lord Ram is regarded as Maryada Purushottam, representing truth and virtue.
- New beginnings: The festival marks the conclusion of Navratri and the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. It is considered an auspicious time to begin new ventures.
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