Dussehra 2027विजयादशमी
Dussehra 2027 is on Saturday, October 9, 2027. The victory of Rama over Ravana and of Durga over Mahishasura, shastra puja, vidyarambha and how Vijayadashami closes Navratri.
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Dussehra 2027: all the dates
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Sharad Navratri begins | Thursday, September 30, 2027 |
| Durga Ashtami | Thursday, October 7, 2027 |
| Maha Navami | Friday, October 8, 2027 |
| Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | Saturday, October 9, 2027 |
The story of Dussehra
Dussehra carries two victories on one day. Ravana, the ten headed king of Lanka and a great scholar of the Vedas, carried off Sita; Rama crossed the sea with the vanara army, and on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina the arrow given by Agastya found the nectar in Ravana’s navel. Dasha-hara, the ten taken away: not only ten heads, but the ten faults of pride, anger, greed, attachment, lust, jealousy, selfishness, injustice, cruelty and ego.
The same tithi is Vijayadashami, the day Ma Durga ended Mahishasura after nine nights of battle (the full katha). So North India burns towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad at dusk while Bengal carries Ma Durga to the water with sindoor khela and dhak. Both are the same statement: whatever the form of the demon, the tenth day belongs to dharma.
How Dussehra is celebrated
| Ravana dahan | effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burned after sunset, usually following a Ramlila of many nights. |
| Shastra puja | tools, vehicles, books and instruments are honoured on Vijayadashami, the day held right for beginning anything. |
| Aparajita puja | the goddess Aparajita is worshipped in the aparahna window, and shami leaves are exchanged as gold. |
| Vidyarambha | in the South, children are given their first letters on this day, the most auspicious start to learning. |
Mysuru holds its royal Dasara with a caparisoned elephant procession; Kullu opens its week long fair when the rest of India finishes; Bengal keeps Bijoya with sindoor khela and immersion; and Kota, Varanasi and Delhi burn the tallest effigies after month long Ramlilas.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra in 2027?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is on Saturday, October 9, 2027, ending the Sharad Navratri that began on September 30, 2027.
What does Dussehra mean?
Dasha-hara means the taking away of ten: the ten heads of Ravana, and with them the ten faults of pride, anger, greed, attachment, lust, jealousy, selfishness, injustice, cruelty and ego.
Why is Vijayadashami good for new beginnings?
It is one of the three and a half muhurats of the year that need no further reckoning, so shastra puja, vidyarambha, new vehicles and new ventures are all begun on this day.
Is Dussehra the same as Durga Puja?
They are the same season and the same victory read two ways. Durga Puja runs from Shashthi to Dashami for the Mother, and Vijayadashami is its last day, when the immersion happens and, in the North, Ravana burns.
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Dates are verified against authoritative Panchang sources (Drik Panchang, New Delhi). Traditions vary by family and region; for muhurat and puja vidhi please also consult your family panditji.