विजयदशमी / दशहरा

Vijayadashami / Dussehra

1 day · Durga, Rama · pan-india

When: Ashvin shukla dashami (October), tenth day after Sharad Navratri

The Story

(1) Rama's defeat of Ravana in Lanka (rakshasa-vadha); (2) Durga's defeat of Mahishasura on the tenth day of her nine-day battle. Both stories celebrate dharma's triumph over adharma.

Vidhi · How It's Done

Worship of weapons, books, vehicles (Ayudha Puja in south)
Saraswati Puja in some regions
Burning of Ravana effigies in north India
Visarjan of Durga murtis (Bengal Durga Puja immersion)
Crossing Shami tree boundary (older tradition — kings starting expeditions)
Visit elders, exchange Shami leaves as gold (north India)

Key Mantras

Aparajita Stotra
ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः
ॐ रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे

Bhog · Festival Foods

Jalebi · Khoya barfi · Boondi laddu · Pithe (Bengal) · Sweet pongal

Regional Variants

· Mysore: Mysuru Dasara — royal procession with elephants
· Bengal: Bisarjan (immersion) day of Durga Puja
· North India: Ramlila culmination — Ravana, Meghnad, Kumbhakarna effigies burned
· Kullu (Himachal): International Dussehra fair
· Tamil Nadu: Vijayadashami — Saraswati puja, Vidyarambha

Sources: Skanda Purāṇa · Padma Purāṇa · Bhaviṣya Purāṇa · Nirṇaya Sindhu · Awaiting scholar verification.

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