As the monsoon fades and autumn drapes India in a golden hue, Dussehra—also called Vijayadashami—arrives like a flame of hope. At its heart lies the timeless tale of Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana, a story that has traveled through centuries, reminding us that righteousness, though tested, always prevails.
In North India, the festival takes on a spectacular form. Towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran rise against the evening sky, only to be consumed by fire and fireworks. Crowds gather, their faces lit by the blaze, as the night becomes a stage for good conquering evil. The Ramlila, a theatrical retelling of the Ramayana, unfolds in villages and cities alike, its dialogues, music, and devotion binding communities together.
Further south, the celebration flows differently but no less vibrantly. Processions fill the streets with dancers, musicians, and decorated floats, each echoing centuries of tradition. Families adorn their homes with flowers, schools of music and dance showcase performances, and prayers are offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari, worshipped as a fierce protector. In Mysuru, the famed Dussehra procession—elephants draped in finery, palanquins shimmering in the sun—remains a breathtaking spectacle of heritage.
Across India, Dussehra also marks the close of Navaratri, the nine nights dedicated to the goddess in her many forms. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the nights pulse with Garba and Dandiya, circles of dance that embody joy and devotion. In Nepal, where the festival is known as Dashain, families reunite, elders bless the young, and kites soar into the sky, stitching prayers into the wind.
Dussehra is more than a ritual—it is a reminder. Evil may rise high, but it burns to ash before truth. And as the flames fade, the heart is left with hope, courage, and the promise of light.
