When: Wednesday, 5 October 2022

The tenth day of the Navaratri festival is known as Dussehra. It's devoted to celebrating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama.

When is Dussehra Celebrated?

Usually in late September/early October each year. In 2022, Dussehra is being celebrated on Wednesday, 5 October. The date of the festival is determined according to the lunar calendar.

Where is Dussehra Celebrated?

Dussehra is predominantly a northern Indian festival.

Delhi and Varanasi are popular places to witness the celebrations.

The biggest Ravan effigy in India can be found in the small town of Barara (approximately 80 kilometers from Chandigarh). It was 200 feet tall in 2013!

Elsewhere in India, Dussehra festivities take place in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Mysore in Karnataka, Kota in Rajasthan, and Bastar in Chhatisgarh.

In West Bengal, Navaratri and Dussehra are celebrated as Durga Puja.

Dussehra is one of the most vibrant times to visit Dadar Flower Market in Mumbai, as people buy golden marigolds for traditional decoration and worship.

How is Dussehra Celebrated?

In northern India, plays and dance performances known as Ramaleela, depicting the life of Rama, commonly take place in the lead up to Dussehra day. These shows are especially big in Varanasi and Delhi. Don't miss these 5 Popular Delhi Ramlila Shows.

Then on Dussehra, huge effigies of the demon Ravana are burned all over India.

In Mysore, as well as cultural performances and fairs, the highlight of the 10 day Dussehra celebration is grand parade of decorated elephants and guards mounted on horse back to escort the goddess through the city.

In Kullu, goddess deities are carried around on colorful chariots, and there is much dancing and revelry.

What Rituals are Performed?

Dussehra is considered to be an auspicious time to worship tools used to earn an income. Nowadays, this includes laptops and cars! According to the legend in the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna hid his weapons in a tree and when he returned a year later, on the day of Dussehra, he safely retrieved them. He then worshiped the weapons, along with the tree.

Dussehra Puja Mantra

There are various puja rituals to be performed on dussehra. Chanting a specific mantra while performing any puja makes it more fruitful. Know about Dussehra puja mantra and make your puja more beneficial.

Mantra for Vahana Puja at home

There is no particular mantra for vehicle puja or Vahana puja to be performed at home. However the most favourable mantra for this puja will be Maha mrityunjay mantra which provides protection to one and all

Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

ॐ त्र्यम्‍बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् उर्वारुकमिव बन्‍धनान् मृत्‍योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्

The meaning of the above mantra is: Om – We worship the three-eyed one (Lord Siva) who is fragrant and who nourishes well all beings; may He liberate us from death for the sake of Immortality even as a cucumber is severed from its bondage (to the creeper).