Among Dussehra, the celebration is also known as Vijaya Dashami. Or, Dasara or Dashain. Regardless of which name it's celebrated by, it celebrates the victory of good over evil.
Upcoming Dates For Dussehra (Maha Navami)
Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of the bright half of Ashvin. Here are the upcoming dates for celebration:
- Friday, September 29, 2017
- Wednesday, October 17, 2018
- Sunday, October 6, 2019
- Saturday, October 24, 2020
- Thursday, October 14, 2021
- Tuesday, October 4, 2022
- Monday, October 23, 2023
- Friday, October 11, 2024
- Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Where Is Dussehra (Maha Navami) Considered a Holiday?
Dussehra is considered a gazette holiday, so all government offices will be closed throughout India. There are few shops that may choose to remain open, but it's largely uncommon. Those that remain open may offer limited services or hours. There are some areas that don't have public transportation available on Dussehra. It's a good idea to check with local services to ensure the availability.
Festivities & Events During Dussehra (Maha Navami)
Celebrations for this festival vary. Many people of the Hindu faith observe the day through prayer meetings. They also offer food to the Gods, either in at their homes or in temples. Dussehra is a part of the Navaratri festival, which can last for 10 days. There are many local celebrations during this time. These can include performances of Ramlia (a shorten version of the epic known as Ramayana). In Karnataka, there is a procession honoring the goddess Chamundeshwari. There is also a blessing of household tools and work-related goods. These can range from books to vehicles. In Bengal, there are special foods prepared. Among these are the deep fried flat bread known as lunchi and the deep fried spiced potato snacks known as alur dom. Many Hindus believe that starting a new venture on Dussehra is lucky. This may be a new project, or a new journey.
A Brief History About Dussehra (Maha Navami)
Dussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The epic Ramayana tells this story of Lord Rama and the demon king, Ravana. In this story, Rama wins the love of Sita, taking her as his wife. The sister of Ravana, called Shoorpanakha, wishes to marry Rama or his brother Lakshamana. When both refuse, Shoorpanakha threatens to kill Sita. Following this, Lakshamana cuts off her nose and ears. This angers Ravana, who kidnaps Sita to avenge his sister. Rama and Lakshamana then fight to rescue Sita, along with monkey God Hanuman and a large army of monkeys. They win, hence celebrated the triumph of good (Rama) over evil (Ravana).