Dussehra 2025 Celebrates the Victory of Righteousness over Evil

By Sejal Singh B G, Correspondent, siliconindia | Monday, 29 September 2025, 12:03 Hrs

Dussehra marks the triumph of good over evil, celebrated across India and Nepal with Ramlila, Durga Puja, Garba, and royal processions.
The festival has mythological roots in the victories of Lord Rama over Ravana, Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, and the Pandavas retrieving weapons from exile.
Celebrations vary regionally, symbolizing righteousness, courage, and unity, while emphasizing moral lessons that remain relevant today.

The glorious nine-day observance of Navratri culminates with Dussehra, also known as Dasara, Vijaya Dashami, or Dusshera, celebrated across India and Nepal with grandeur and devotion. Observed on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashvin (September-October in the Gregorian calendar), this festival marks the ultimate victory of good over evil, a theme deeply ingrained in Indian mythology. The word ‘Vijayadashami’ itself is symbolic comprising ‘Vijaya’ (victory) and ‘Dashami’ (tenth day). Scholars have traced the etymology of Dussehra in multiple ways. According to James Lochtefeld, it derives from Dashahara, formed from the Sanskrit words ‘dasham’ (ten) and ‘ahar’ (day). Monier-Williams interprets it as ‘Dus’ (evil) and ‘Hara’ (removing), literally meaning 'removal of evil'. In all interpretations, the essence remains: triumph over negativity.

Mythological Origins of Dussehra

Lord Rama and the Defeat of Ravana

The most well-known legend is the one of Ramayana. Character Sita was taken away by Ravana, the Lanka king, when Lord Rama had been sent into exile. Ravana refused to release her despite a series of appeals, and a huge war was the result. Ravana had suffered 10,000 years of penance and obtained a boon of Lord Brahma that he could not be slain by any god, demon or spirit. To avoid this good fortune, Lord Vishnu was born as Rama a mortal being who at length killed Ravana with ten heads. The ten-headed Ravana is a symbol of arrogance, evil, and ignorance and the victory of Rama symbolizes the reformation of justice and dharma on Earth. This triumph is marked in northern India by Ramlila plays, or restatement of scenes in the Ramayana, with the ultimate shock of burning of giant Ravana effigies during fireworks and fanfare. The act is symbolic of the annihilation of evil and the victory of the good.

Goddess Durga and Mahishasura

In Eastern and North-Eastern India, it is called Vijaya Dashami, and is celebrated in the honour of Goddess Durga. History tells us about a demon named Mahishasura who was not able to be killed by men or gods under a boon and caused havoc on the earth. The deities were unable to oppose the man, so they formed Devi Durga, a female warrior of God. Nine days were spent by Durga fighting Mahishasura and on the 10th day, she destroyed him and brought peace and order back. The feminine divinity is emphasized in this tale and that is why Dussehra in West Bengal and other places is timed with Durga Puja, where wonderfully decorated idols are immersed in rivers and lakes.

Mahabharata Connection

Dussehra also finds a mention in the Mahabharata. On this day, the Pandavas retrieved their hidden weapons from a Shami tree after exile, marking the beginning of their victorious return. This further cements the festival as a symbol of victory, courage, and justice.

Also Read: Dussehra in India's Most Celebrated Cities

How Dussehra is Celebrated Across India

While the core message of triumph over evil remains universal, the celebrations vary widely across regions:

North India – Ram Leela and Ravana Dahan

Cities like Delhi, Lucknow, and Varanasi host Ram Leela performances for nine days. On the tenth day, giant effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran are set ablaze, accompanied by music, fireworks, and cheering crowds. Families exchange greetings and come together to celebrate the victory of righteousness.

West Bengal – Durga Puja and Sindoor Khela

In eastern India, Dussehra coincides with the last day of Durga Puja. Idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers, symbolizing her return to Mount Kailash. Women participate in Sindoor Khela, applying vermillion to each other, which has become a significant cultural highlight of the festival.

Gujarat – Navratri and Garba

In Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with Garba and Dandiya Raas dances over nine nights. Vijayadashami marks the end of these festivities, with devotees offering prayers to Goddess Durga.

South India – Mysore Dussehra

Mysore, Karnataka, celebrates Dussehra with royal processions, decorated elephants, and cultural performances. The Mysore Palace is illuminated spectacularly, drawing visitors from across the country.

Maharashtra – Exchange of Apta Leaves

In Maharashtra, people exchange Apta tree leaves, considered symbolic of gold, as a gesture of prosperity and goodwill.

Also Read: 9 Interesting Facts About Dussehra

The Symbolism & Legacy of Dussehra

Dussehra is not only a festival, but it is a reminder of moral courage, justice and the eternal conflict between good and evil. Since the killing of Ravana and Mahishasura up to the re-acquisition of the weapons by the Pandavas, the stories focus more on righteousness, strength and divine intervention. The setting up of diyas, exploding crackers and the submergence of idols are symbolic pulls that celebrate this cosmic triumph. Moreover, Dussehra also preludes Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days later, which marks the reentry of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya following the defeat of Ravana. In India, the festival has been an embodiment of unity as the various legends, rituals and customs come together in a festival that is at once spiritual and cultural, joyful and significant enough to remind each devotee that that the final victory has been achieved, and that good will eventually triumph over evil.

Conclusion

Dussehra is not only the festival of lights, effigies and rituals; it is also a classical festival of good over evil, courage over shyness and justice over injustice. The festival continues to inspire generations of people to pursue the righteousness in their personal and social life since there were the mythical battles between Lord Rama and the goddess Durga, until the metaphorical lessons of personal self-control. The fact that it is a living tradition is emphasized by its local accents, philosophical spirit, and its modern applicability as this tradition was developed but at the same time, it is rooted in the eternal values. Lastly, Dussehra teaches us that evil may take many forms and appear in many forms beyond and within us but it can always be conquered through faith, courage and righteous action and that is what the festival is an expression of hope and renewal and unity.