Introduction
Dasara, also known as Dussehra, is one of India’s most celebrated and vibrant festivals, observed with great enthusiasm and regional diversity across the country. Falling on the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin, Dussehra marks the triumph of good over evil, righteousness over unrighteousness, and dharma over adharma. It culminates the nine-day Navaratri festival, which is dedicated to the worship of the Divine Feminine in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
Rooted in ancient Indian mythology, Dussehra commemorates two major epic victories:
- Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana, as narrated in the Ramayana.
- Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, as celebrated in the Devi Mahatmyam.
But beyond these common threads, Dussehra celebrations take on remarkably diverse forms across different regions of India, each reflecting local traditions, beliefs, art forms, and community participation. From royal pageantry to folk theatre, and from spiritual devotion to spectacular fireworks, Dussehra unfolds as a cultural mosaic across the Indian subcontinent.
Pan-Indian Themes and Symbolism
Across India, Dussehra is a time for families and communities to come together in joy and celebration. Symbolically, it represents:
- The end of evil forces and negativity in our lives.
- The renewal of inner strength, valor, and virtue.
- The celebration of feminine power during Navaratri.
- The harvest season and transition into autumn, a time of gratitude and preparation for Diwali.
Many regions see it as an auspicious time to begin new ventures, purchase gold or property, or hold Ayudha Puja—a ritual in which tools, weapons, and instruments of livelihood are cleaned, worshipped, and honored.
Dussehra Across Different Regions of India
Here’s a glimpse of how Dasara is celebrated from north to south and east to west:
North India: Ramlila and Ravana Dahan
In states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, elaborate Ramlila performances—dramatic reenactments of Lord Rama’s life—are staged for ten days, culminating in the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna. The most iconic of these takes place at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan and in Varanasi, drawing massive crowds and media attention.
West Bengal, Assam, and Eastern India: Durga Puja
In West Bengal, Dussehra coincides with the final day of Durga Puja, a deeply emotional and artistic celebration that culminates in Vijaya Dashami, when the idol of Durga is immersed in rivers after a grand farewell. Married women perform Sindoor Khela, and families exchange sweets and blessings. Similar traditions are followed in parts of Assam, Odisha, and Tripura.
South India: Golu, Ayudha Puja, and Royal Processions
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the nine days of Navaratri are marked by Golu (Kolu)—artistic arrangements of dolls on stepped platforms, symbolizing divine order. On the ninth day, Saraswati Puja honors knowledge and learning, and the tenth day, Vijayadashami, is seen as the best day to initiate children into education (Vidyarambham).
- Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka is the most spectacular of all, featuring royal processions, elephants, folk dances, and illuminated palaces—an echo of the Vijayanagara and Wadiyar legacies.
- In Kerala, Vijayadashami marks the end of Navaratri music and dance festivals and is an auspicious day for starting classical education in music, dance, and learning scriptures.
Maharashtra: Simollanghan and Community Celebrations
In Maharashtra, Dussehra is associated with the ancient practice of Simollanghan, a symbolic crossing of boundaries and seeking blessings for valor and success. People exchange leaves of the Apta tree, symbolizing gold, as a token of prosperity and good wishes. Communities organize fairs, cultural performances, and Shastra Puja.
Gujarat: Navratri Garba and Fasting Traditions
In Gujarat, Dussehra follows nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas, where thousands gather in colorful attire to dance in circles late into the night. Fasting, devotion to the Goddess, and community bonding are central elements.
Northern Hills and Himalayan Regions
In Himachal Pradesh, especially in Kullu, the Dussehra celebration is unique. Instead of burning Ravana’s effigy, deities from neighboring villages are carried in processions to the town of Kullu, where they gather in reverence to Lord Raghunath. The week-long festival has spiritual, communal, and celebratory dimensions.
Tribal and Folk Variations
In tribal belts across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, Dussehra takes on local legends and folk deities, blending tribal spirituality with mainstream Hindu practices. In Bastar (Chhattisgarh), Dussehra lasts for 75 days—one of the longest festivals in the world—and honors local deities like Danteshwari Devi, not Rama or Durga.
Conclusion
Dussehra is more than just a festival—it is a mirror to India’s spiritual core, cultural diversity, and deep-rooted traditions. From the royal grandeur of Mysuru to the folk fervor of Kullu, from the dance-filled nights of Gujarat to the goddess worship in Bengal, each region adds its own chapter to the larger story of this celebration. In uniting diverse customs under a common theme of the victory of good over evil, Dussehra remains a festival that both honors India’s ancient past and inspires hope for a righteous future.