The festival culminates on the tenth day with Vijayadashami, Vijaya meaning victory, and dashami simply meaning the tenth day. It is also called as Dassehra or Dassera (see below for more on this).This has two primary legends associated with it:

1. Victory of Goddess Durga: It marks the day when Goddess Durga defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura after a fierce battle lasting nine days and nine nights. This victory is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, and divine energy over dark forces.
2. Victory of Lord Rama: In the Ramayana, Vijayadashami celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. On this day, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnath are burned to signify the destruction of evil.

The festival is often celebrated with grand processions, reenactments of scenes from the Ramayana (Ramlila), and the burning of Ravana’s effigies. Having prayed to Saraswati on the ninth day, students, musicans, artistes begin learning new skills or honing their studies and skills in music, arts, and academics on this day.

It is also the day of vidyarambham (vidya meaning knowledge and arambam meaning start). Young children are formally introduced to education on this day as they write their first letters of the alphabet guided by their elders or teachers. This ceremony symbolizes the initiation into learning and knowledge.

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Vijayadashami: The Day of Victory

Over the nine days, we celebrated the feminine divine and on the tenth day, we celebrate the ultimate victory of good over evil. In the south, after celebrating the three goddesses (Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati) over the nine days, we also celebrate the victory over and attainment of all these goddesses offer, fierceness/courage, wealth (in every way), and knowledge.

In northern India, Vijayadashami is celebrated as the culmination of Navaratri (nine nights), where nine forms of the goddess Durga are worshipped over the course of the festival. The western regions mark it with celebrating the goddess with more garba dance celebrations as well as Ayudha puja in some areas. They also celebrate with the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana (See below in Dassera)

In Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal and Orissa, the tenth day of the Durga Puja festival is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami or Bijoya Dashami. It marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The tenth day is an emotional and joyous occasion, as it is the day when people bid farewell to Goddess Durga, who returns to her divine abode.

In the south, in addition to celebrating the Ayudha puja and starting new skills and learnings, those who keep the golu/doll display, symbolically place a couple of dolls to sleep, marking the end of the festival. This act is part of a larger tradition that symbolizes the conclusion of the goddess’s stay on Earth and her return to her celestial abode.

Another amazing celebration happens in the southern city of Mysore where the palace is grandly lit for the ten days and culminates with additional celebrations.

As for me, I put them to sleep a day later given I was away on a promised visit to a newly discovered family member. It is always a bittersweet time as we dismantle the steps and pack the dolls carefully back into storage, until next year.

Dassera: Taking on the Ten-Headed Problem

Dassera takes on a couple of meanings and I can relate to both of them. Depending on how we split the compiound word, dassera can mean simply tenth day (whera dasha means ten and ahara means day) or it can refer to the defeat of the ten-headed one, where dasha means ten, and hara means defeat.

People celebrate this victory across India by burning effigies of Ravana in a symbolic ceremony.

This translates to the defeat of the ten-headed one, which refers to the ten-headed king of Lanka, Ravana, and Rama’s victory over him. It could also refer to the celebration of the inner victory over our own negative tendencies, represented by the ten heads of Ravana. The ten heads of Ravana can be seen as metaphors for various vices or negative aspects that we, as individuals, need to overcome in our spiritual journey.

Here are some common interpretations of the ten heads:

1. Kama (Lust) – Desire and sensual pleasure.
2. Krodha (Anger) – Uncontrolled anger and rage.
3. Lobha (Greed) – Excessive desire for material possessions or wealth.
4. Moha (Delusion) – Attachment or delusion that clouds the mind and leads to ignorance.
5. Mada (Pride) – Ego and arrogance.
6. Matsarya (Jealousy) – Envy of others’ success or happiness.
7. Manas (Mind) – A restless and uncontrolled mind.
8. Budhi (Intellect) – Misuse or lack of proper understanding and wisdom.
9. Chitta (Will) – Lack of willpower or inability to focus on goals.
10. Ahamkara (Ego) – The false sense of self, the source of pride and selfishness.

In this sense, Ravana is not just a literal figure but also a symbol of the many challenges and weaknesses that each of us faces in life. Dussehra then becomes an occasion for reflecting on one’s personal journey toward self-improvement, overcoming negative traits, and embracing positive values such as truth, righteousness, and compassion.

Sources: Wikipedia; Isha; Britannica; others

Related Reads and More

• Check out my post from last year as I bid goodbye to the Golu dolls for the year
• Read books on Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati as well as Lord Rama & Ravana
  • My Little Book of Durga (baby – 5 yrs)
  • Durga (Hindu Mythology) (My First Shaped Board Books) (4 – 7 yrs)
  • Kali (Hindu Mythology) (My First Shaped Board Books)  (4 – 7 yrs)
  • My Little Book of Lakshmi (baby – 5 yrs)
  • Saraswati’s Gift (Teen & YA)
  • Tales from the Adventures of Rama (baby – 5 yrs)
  • Ten Heads, Ten Minds: Ravana’s Symbolic Complexity (16+)
• More books to read here
  • Ten Wonderful Stories for Dussehra (and Typographical Covers 2)

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, do let me know which story intrigued you the most? Which aspect of the culture appealed? Any parallels to stories and traditions in your own lives? Do let me know