In the year 2025, the festival of Vijayadashami i.e. Dussehra will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2. This festival is not just a date, but a symbol of India’s centuries -old cultural heritage and the message of ‘victory of good over evil’. Every corner of the country has its own way to celebrate it, every state has its own unique traditions and folk colors, which make this festival even more special. Let us know how much pomp Dussehra is celebrated in various states of India.
North India: Ravana Dahan and Ramlila
The most prominent tradition of Dussehra in North India is Ravana Dahan. Fairs are organized in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh and Ramlila is organized. After the staging of Ramlila, huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are burnt. Thousands of people become witness to this event. It is believed that this tradition gives the message of destroying evil and adopting good in life.
West Bengal: Durga immersion
Dussehra is very grand in West Bengal. Here Vijayadashami is celebrated as the conclusion day of Durga Puja. The huge idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers or ponds. On this day women do “sindoor played”, in which married women wish each other vermilion and wish for happiness and prosperity.
Maharashtra: Shami Puja and Gold Exchange
There is a tradition of distributing gold (mango leaves) among themselves on Dussehra in Maharashtra. People consider it a symbol of prosperity. Apart from this, “Shami tree” is also worshiped. It is believed that the Pandavas hid their weapons in this tree during their unknown. On this day, people exchange best wishes to strengthen mutual relationships.
Gujarat: Vijay Utsav after Navratri
Navratri in Gujarat ends with Dussehra. Here Garba and Dandiya are celebrated for nine days of Navratri, and the victory is celebrated by immersing the idol of Goddess Durga on Dussehra.
Karnataka: Mysore Dussehra
Mysore Dussehra of Karnataka is world famous. Here Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp for ten days. The Mysore palace is decorated with thousands of bulbs. On the tenth day, a procession called “jambu ride” is taken out, with special display of elephants, horses and cultural tableaux.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Adorned idols and fairs
In these states, there is special worship of the Goddess on Vijayadashami. Village fairs are held and people immerse the ornate statues of Maa Durga. In many places there is a tradition of “Bommalu Kolu” in which idols of deities are decorated and installed in homes.
Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra
Dussehra of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is very special. Here Ravana is not combusted, but it is considered a fair of gods. During this time hundreds of idols or chariots of local deities are collected together and a huge procession is taken out. The festival lasts for a week.
Overall, Dussehra is a beautiful example of India’s cultural diversity and unity. Somewhere it is a symbol of Ravana combustion, and somewhere Durga immersion. Somewhere it reflects the grandeur of Mysore palace, while somewhere the Dev tradition of Kullu. In every form, this festival gives us the message that no matter how big evil is, victory is always of truth, religion and good.