Dussehra or Vijiayadashami is one of the most important festivals in India. This festival is celebrated with full fervour and enthusiasm and it marks the end of the nine-day festival of the Navratri. This year, celebration of Dussehra fall on October 25. However, in some places, Dusshera or Vijay Dashmi will be celebrated on October 26.
The Vijay Dashami mahurat is between 01.58 pm and 02.43 pm on October 25, and the Aparahna puja time is from 01.13 pm to 03.28 pm on October 26.
It is believed that on the day of Dussehra or Vijayadashami, Lord Rama defeated King Ravana in his quest towards rescuing his wife Sita. This is also the day when Goddess Durga slayed the buffalo demon Mahisasura.
Dusshera featival gives the message of victory of good over evil. The common theme that runs through both festivals is the triumph of good over evil. In many places in Northern India, effigies of Ravana are burnt to symbollically celebrate the demolition of eveil inside human beings and artists too take part in a play based on Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas in the famed Ramlila.
In some part of India, people celebrate Vijaya Dashami as the day when Goddess Durga killed demon Mahishasur and that signifies the victory of good over evil. This is the reason why nine avatars of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the Navaratri.