India is a vibrant country known for its diverse celebrations of various festivals. Dussehra is another such festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and love across the country. From the burning of Ravana effigies to the worship of Goddess Durga, Dussehra is a time for festivities and happiness. Each region in India has its unique way of celebrating Dussehra, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. In 2025, get ready to explore the various ways Dussehra is celebrated across India with our special article.
Dussehra 2025
Dussehra commemorates the victory of good over evil. Celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri, this festival emphasizes the triumph of righteousness and moral values in life.
The festival commemorates Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana, who had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. It symbolizes the destruction of evil forces and the restoration of righteousness. It inspires people to embody virtues like honesty, courage, and perseverance.
Dussehra 2025: Celebrations Across India
Here’s how different states in India celebrate this festival and their unique traditions:
1. Uttar Pradesh: Ramleela
In Uttar Pradesh, Dussehra is celebrated with grand Ramleela performances that reenact the epic Ramayana, climaxing with the dramatic burning of Ravana’s effigy. Cities like Ayodhya, Lord Rama’s birthplace, see massive processions and fairs attracting thousands. The ritual underscores the victory of good over evil, and people engage in community feasts and prayers. Buying new assets and starting ventures on Vijay Muhurat is considered auspicious. The Ramlila events bring together diverse communities, reinforcing cultural bonds and spiritual teachings. Fireworks and folk music enhance the festive atmosphere across the state.
2. West Bengal: Vijayadashami
In West Bengal, Dussehra coincides with the grand finale of Durga Puja, one of the state’s most significant festivals. Elaborate idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped for nine days and then immersed in water bodies amid devotional songs and dances. Pandals showcase artistic and thematic decorations, drawing millions of visitors. Cultural programs, family gatherings, and lavish feasts highlight the celebrations. The immersion procession symbolizes the goddess’s return to the heavenly abode, prompting an emotional farewell among devotees.
3. Maharashtra: Ayudha Puja
Maharashtra celebrates Dussehra with special emphasis on the Shami tree worship, considered a symbol of strength and valor. On Vijayadashami, people exchange Apta tree leaves, regarded as ‘gold leaves,’ to wish prosperity. Ayudha Puja, involving the worship of instruments, vehicles, and tools, is widely observed. The festival is marked by community gatherings, cultural performances, and fairs featuring traditional Maharashtrian foods. Dussehra is also regarded as an auspicious day for new beginnings, like business ventures and marriage proposals. Traditional dances and bhajans add to the spiritual ambiance.
4. Karnataka: Mysore Dasara
Karnataka celebrates Dussehra with unmatched royal grandeur, especially in Mysore. The famous Mysore Dasara includes a majestic procession featuring a gold-mantled idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari atop a decorated elephant. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with nearly 100,000 lights, creating a magical ambiance. Cultural programs featuring classical music, dance, and folk traditions run throughout the nine days. Ayudha Puja is performed, where tools and weapons are worshipped. The festival emphasizes devotion, royal heritage, and artistic excellence, attracting tourists worldwide.
5. Gujarat: Garba and Jalebi Fafda
Gujarat celebrates Dussehra along with the vibrant Navratri festival, highlighted by Garba and Dandiya Raas dance events every evening. People dress in colorful traditional attire and gather in large open spaces to dance to rhythmic music. Devotees worship Goddess Durga and offer prayers at temples and homes. The festivities promote community bonding and joy through dance competitions and cultural shows. In Gujarat, Jalebi and Fafda are a customary breakfast on Dusshera, marking the end of Navratri fasting. Special delicacies and sweets are prepared and shared among friends and family.
6. Tamil Nadu: Golu
Tamil Nadu celebrates Dussehra with the Navratri Golu tradition, where dolls and figurines representing deities and scenes from Hindu epics are artistically arranged on stepped wooden shelves in homes. Families and neighbors visit each other’s Golu displays, exchanging sweets and gifts. Ayudha Puja is significant here, with tools, vehicles, and books being worshipped for prosperity and knowledge. Temples hold special prayers, and cultural events like Bharatanatyam dance performances highlight the festive spirit. The festival combines devotion with creativity, reflecting Tamil heritage and values.
7. Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra
In Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu Valley, Dussehra is a week-long festival unlike any other, where Lord Raghunath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, with a grand procession of over 200 deities from surrounding villages, is carried on decorated palanquins. The festival starts with worship at the Raghunath temple in Sultanpur, followed by the “milni” ritual where deities meet. The vibrant fair attracts pilgrims and tourists, blending religious devotion with cultural festivity. Instead of burning Ravana effigies, a symbolic bonfire representing the burning of Lanka is lit.
Summing Up
The different celebrations of Dusshera across India are a testament to our country’s diverse traditions. From Himachal Pradesh’s traditional 7-day-long celebration to devouring Jalebi fafda in Gujarat, India’s diversity is simply mesmerising. So, how do you celebrate this festival at your place?
