- Tenth day of Ashvin Shukla
- End of Navratri
- Ramlila and Ravana effigies
- Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka
Where it began
Dussehra comes from Sanskrit words meaning the removal of ten, often linked to the ten heads of Ravana. Legend says Rama defeated Ravana on this day and rescued Sita, so the day is called Vijayadashami, the tenth day of victory.
Another story tells that the goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura on the tenth day, which is why Dussehra ends Navratri and Durga Puja. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas are said to have taken back their weapons from a shami tree on this day, so the tree and tools are worshipped.
Ramlila, the stage play of Rama's life, has been performed in North India for centuries. The Ramlila of Ramnagar near Varanasi, which goes on for a month, is one of the oldest, and UNESCO lists the Ramlila tradition as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
How it grew over time
Ancient times
The epics give the stories of Rama's win and the Pandavas' weapons, and kings set out on campaigns after the autumn rains on this day.
Vijayanagara era
Visitors describe the Mahanavami festival at Hampi, with parades, elephants and music, the forerunner of Mysuru Dasara.
1600s
The Wodeyar kings of Mysore begin their royal Dasara, a tradition the city still keeps.
1800s
Ramlila plays grow in towns across North India, with whole neighbourhoods taking part as actors and audience.
2008
UNESCO lists Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana, as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Today
Effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna, some very tall, go up in grounds across India and burn at sunset.
How it is celebrated in different places
Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
Ramlila plays run for nine nights, and on the tenth Rama's arrow lights the Ravana effigy as fireworks burst.
Mysuru, Karnataka
The palace glows with lakhs of bulbs, and a grand procession of decorated elephants carries the goddess Chamundeshwari through the city.
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and lasts a week, as village deities are carried to the valley to greet Raghunath.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Vijayadashami is the day of Vidyarambham, when small children write their first letters in rice and begin learning.
Nepal
Dashain, the biggest festival of the year, ends with elders giving tika and jamara blessings to the young.
Dussehra moments
Dussehra today
People worship books, tools, vehicles and instruments, start new work, buy new things and visit elders. In the evening families go to the nearest ground to watch the Ravana effigy burn, a simple, joyful reminder that good wins in the end.
