When is Dussehra?

They say the spoken dialect in India changes every 100 km in this diverse amalgamation of a country. But what most of us don’t ponder over enough is that elements like our food, clothing, and even our festivals are also rooted in this very diversity. What does a festival like Dussehra bring to your mind? Chances are it’s a whole different visual than what your colleague at the office imagines it to be. But it doesn’t really matter, does it? That’s because while the whole country celebrates Dussehra diversely across regions, it is the sentiment behind the festivities that unites us – the celebration of good triumphing over evil.  

Ahead of the festival, let’s take a deeper look into the why behind the festival of Dussehra in India. Set the burning arrows aside and get ready for a colourful journey across mythology.  

What is Dussehra?

Dussehra is the tenth day of Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar that marks the end of Navaratri. This day commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura. This year, Dussehra falls on 24th October (Tuesday), 2023. Let’s find out how Dussehra is celebrated across different regions in India and how you can be a part of these fun-filled festivals.    

Honour of Lord Ram and Ramleela

If you are living in the Northern or Northwestern parts of India, you will see the giant effigies of the ten-headed demon king, Ravana, along with Kumkhakarna and Meghanada being erected in public processions during the festival. People get together and burn these statues down with firecrackers as a symbol of victory over evil.  

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Musical plays of Ramleela are also common occurrences. These are performed on the streets and retell the tale of Ramayana. These processions may not be for everyone, as public areas can quickly get crowded and quite smoky. You can, however, always check out Dussehra celebrations from across the country from the comfort of your home on your smart TV and get the same vibe.    

Worship of Goddess Saraswati

In many parts of Southern India and the Southwestern regions, blessings are sought from Goddess Saraswati by worshipping knowledge and gadgets. This is precisely why there’s a wave of new electronics purchases around the country during this time. Dussehra is when many Indians will often choose to upgrade their smartphones, laptops or other appliances.  

Immersion of Goddess Durga

Dugga Dugga! If you’re from the Northeastern part of the country, you’ve probably heard this chant before. Celebrated as Vijayadashami, this is also the day of Goddess Durga’s clay idol immersion as she finds her safe passage to Mount Kailash.    

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You simply can’t miss the grandeur of the immersion march. Hundreds of people dressed in a Dhoti-Kurta or a white saree with red embroidery accompany Goddess Durga as she takes her final dip into the river Ganga. If you are in West Bengal, you should cherish these auspicious memories with a camera or smartphone.   

Are you excited to celebrate this Dussehra with some fun-filled devotion and nostalgic memories? No matter where you stay, the emotions behind these celebrations are sure to leave you with an overwhelming sense of joy!