Vijaya Dashami is the tenth and last day of Durga Navratri. In Bengal it is the culmination day of Durga Puja. Vijayadashami 2010 date is October 17. Vijaya Dashami, known with various names – Dussehra or Dasara – signifies the victory of good over evil. This festival is celebrated with much gusto in every region of India and in Nepal.

As per North Indian legend, Vijaya Dashami is a commemoration day of Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan. On this day, Ravan Vadh, burning out huge effigies of Ravan, is performed. Ramlila celebrations are very popular events during Navratri and on Vijaya Dashami day. Durga Visarjan is performed on this day and Durga Puja in Bengal is concluded with Devi immersion.

In Kerala, Vidyarambham is performed on Vijaya Dashami. Vidyarambham is an ancient ritual of initiating children into the world of knowledge. Ayudha Puja is also performed on this day in some places of India. Shami Puja and Aparajita Pooja are some other main rituals of Vijaya Dashami. In Maharashtra, Simollanghan, crossing the borders of a place, is done.

Dasara, also spelt as Dussehra, is observed on the tenth day in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin or Ashwayuja month. In 2010, the date of Dasara is October 17. It is also called as Vijaya Dashami. Dussehra is the final day of Durga Navratri Puja.

On Dasara, Shami Puja is performed in some places. Mysore Dasara and Kullu Dasara culminate on this day. Ayudha Puja is also one of the main rituals during Dussehra. As this is the last day for Durga Pooja, Goddess is worshipped with utmost devotion. Aparajita is another name of Goddess Shakti. Aparajita Pooja is observed on this day.

In Maharahstra, Simollanghan is celebrated on Dasara. For Kerala people, Vijaya Dashami is a big event. Malayalis perform Vidyarambam for their children on this day. Ramlila, a colourful folk play, is culminated on this day. Durga Visarjan is also performed on Vijaya Dashami.

Dasara or Dussehra is observed on the tenth day in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin or Ashwayuja month. Dasara is also called as Vijaya Dashami. It is the final day of Durga Navratri Puja. On this day, Durga Visarjan is held and the festival of nine nights is concluded. Dasara represents the triumph of good over evil.

Dussehra celebrations in North India:

In North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, popular Ramlila Utsav is celebrated on Dussehra. In many places of India, Dussehra is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami. In Bengal and some other parts of India, Durga idols are immersed (Durga Visarjan) on Vijaya Dashami.

In Kullu of Himachal Pradesh, Dasara celebrations are observed as Kullu Dussehra. It is a colorful 10-day festival which attracts large number of tourists even from other countries. Simollanghan is the main ritual of Dasara in Maharashtra.

Dasara celebrations in South India:

In Mysore, Karnataka, famous celebrations called ‘Mysore Dasara’ are commenced for 10 days during Durga Navratri. These celebrations are concluded on Dasara. This is a ages-old tradition to celebrated Mysore Dasara in colourful manner.

In some places, Shami Puja is performed on Dasara day. This ritual is associated with Arjuna and his weapons. Jammi Puja (Jammi = Shami) is observed in Andhra Pradesh on Dasara. Aparajita Pooja is also observed on Dasara in some places.

In Kerala, Vidyarambam, a special ritual of initiating children into studies, is performed on Dasara. Vidyarambam is a main ritual during Durga Navratri in Kerala. Golu or Bommai kolu or Bommala Kolovu arranged during Durga Navaratri is concluded on Dasara day.

Related Posts:

2009 Durga Navratri dates – Festivals of Durga Navaratri in 2009 

Legend of Durga Navratri – Origin of Durga Navaratri Pooja

Significance of Maha Navratri

Saptamatrika Navaratri during Durga Navarathri

Durga Devi Sharan Navratri Puja is celebrated in Ashwayuja masam (Ashwin month) which usually falls in September or October months. Durga Navratri starts on Ashwayuja Shukla paksha Padyami with Kalash Sthapana and ends on Ashwayuja Shukla Dashami (Vijaya Dashami or Dasara).

Dates of Durga Navratri Puja in 2009:

First Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Kalasha Sthapana (Ghatasthapana) – Prathami Puja or Padyami Puja – Installation of earthen pot – Ashwayuja Shukla Padyami (Ashwin masa Shudda Prathami) – September 19, Saturday.

Second Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Preethi Dwitiya (Preeti Vidiya) – Ashwayuja Shudda Dwitiya -   September 20, Sunday.

Third Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Sthana Vriddhi Gauri Vrata – Ashwin Masa Shudda Tritiya (Aswayuja Shukla Thadiya) – September 21, Monday.

Fourth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Bhouma Chaturthi – Ashwin Masa Shudda Chaturthi (Ashwayuja Shukla Chavithi) – September 22, Tuesday.

Fifth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Upang Lalitha Gauri Vrata (Sri Lalitha Panchami or Maha Panchami) – Ashwin Shudda Panchami – Septemeber 23, Wednesday.

Sixth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Maha Sashti – Ashwin Shudda Sashti – Ashwin Shudda Sashti – September 24, Thursday.

Seventh Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Maha Saptami – Ashwin Shudda Saptami – Triratra Vrata Aarambha Utsava Puja (Trirathrotsavam) – September 25, Friday.

Eighth Day of Durga Sharan Navratri, 2009 – Durga Ashtami (Maha Astami) – Ashwin Shudda Astami – Sri Maha Durga Puja – Bathukamma Festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh – Goddess Saraswati Mata Puja – September 26, Saturday.

Ninth Day of Durga Navratri, 2009 – Maharnavami Puja (Maha Navami) – Suhasini Puja – Ayudha Puja – Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja – Ashwin Shudda Navami – September 27, Sunday.

Tenth Day of Durga Navratri, 2009 – Vijaya Dashami (Dussera / Dasara / Dussehra) – Mahishasura Vadha – Ashwin Shudda Dashami – September 28, Monday.

In some regions, Goddess Durga idol immersion (Durga Nimajjan or Durga Visarjan) is held on the day of Viajaya Dashami.

Durga Nimajjan also called as Visarjan is the last and concluding event of Durga Navarathri. In some places it is performed on Dussehra / Vijaya Dashami / Dasara / Dassara. In 2009, the dates to perform Durga Nimajjan are – September 28, Monday or September 29, Tuesday. The day of this event may depend on the regional traditions of a place. On the same day, devotees burn the giant effigies of Ravana in some places.