Dussehra / Vijaya Dashmi Puja

Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami is a festival which is celebrated on the tenth day of Ashwin (September / October). The festival is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently all over India. As per Durga Saptashati, Devi Durga led a battle against Mahishasur and it lasted for nine days and nine nights. She killed Mahishasur on the tenth day. Therefore, different manifestations of Devi Durga are worshipped during the nine-day long Navratri festival each year. The tenth day is dedicated to Durga as Vijayadashami. The divine feminine energy is worshipped as Shakti and celebrated during the festival. The celebration ends with Dussehra on the tenth day, when the idol of Devi Durga is immersed in a river or a lake. The day also marks the end of Durga Puja, where people revel and recount Devi Durga’s victory over Mahishasur, thus restoring the balance of Dharma.

The day also marks the victory of Shri Ram when he slayed Ravana the king of Lanka. Ravana had abducted Devi Sita for which he was defeated by Shri Ram. The word ‘Dussehra’ is derived from two Sanskrit words – Dasha and Hara – that means defeating the ten headed Ravana.

In large parts of India, Ramleela is performed which is based on the life and times of Shri Ram. On the day of Vijayadashami, huge effigies of Ravan, Meghnaad and Kumbhakarn are set ablaze signifying good overcoming evil. In the eastern parts of India like Odisha, Assam and Bengal the idols of the Devi Durga are immersed in a river or a lake on the day of Vijayadashami.

Performing a Puja dedicated to Shri Ram, Hanumanji and Devi Durga on the day of Dussehra is supposed to protect one from all kind of adversities and malefic forces, as well as to confer peace, prosperity and harmony in all the areas of life by the blessings of Shri Rama, Devi Durga and Hanumanji. An important ritual that is performed on this day is that all types of machines, tools, implements and vehicles are worshipped on this day so that they function properly in the coming year.

Puja Description: Swasti Vaachan, Shanti Path, Sankalp, Ganesh Sthapan, Kalash Sthapan, Navgrah Sthapan, Brahma Sthapan, Agni Sthapan, Nav Durga Puja, Shodash Matrika / Sapt Ghrit Matrika Pujan, Siddh Kunjika Stotra Paath 11 times, Durga Kavach Paath, Havan and Aarti.