Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Families and Households: Devotees of every age observe Dussehra to celebrate the victory of good over evil and to seek the blessings of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga for success and protection.
• Students and Young Children: Children and students worship their books, pens, and tools of learning, and in Kerala begin their first lessons on this day (Vidyarambham), seeking the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
• Workers, Artisans, and Warriors: Those who work with tools, vehicles, or weapons clean and worship them (Shastra Puja or Ayudha Puja), praying for prosperity and success in their work.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Rituals: Vidyarambham in Kerala and the Bijoya observances in Bengal begin in the morning, after bathing and before the day's activities. Check the timings for your city on this page.
• Puja Muhurat: The main Dussehra puja, including Shami Puja and Shastra Puja, is done in Aparahna (the afternoon). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Ravan Dahan: The burning of the Ravana effigy is held after sunset, in the early evening (customs differ by town).

About the Festival

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, is celebrated across India as the day of triumph of dharma over adharma, marking the end of the Navratri festivities. It takes place on the Dashami (tenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin.

The Katha (Story of Lord Rama and Ravana)

Once upon a time, Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, was sent into exile in the forest for fourteen years along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. While they lived in the forest, Ravana, the mighty ten-headed king of Lanka, deceived them and carried Sita away to his kingdom.

Rama was filled with sorrow, but he did not give up hope. With the help of Hanuman, Sugriva, and the great army of vanaras, he reached Lanka and sent word to Ravana, asking him to return Sita with honour. Ravana, proud of his strength and boons, refused every plea. A great war began, and it is said that Rama worshipped Goddess Durga before the final battle and sought her blessings.

Before the decisive fight, the wise sage Agastya taught Rama the Aditya Hridayam, a hymn to the Sun God, and counselled him to meditate on it with a calm mind. Rama fought bravely, and on the tenth day he struck down Ravana, ending his arrogance and bringing Sita back safely.

Pleased with his unwavering devotion and righteousness, the gods showered flowers upon Rama, and the people rejoiced at the victory of good over evil. Since that day, Dussehra has been celebrated each year, reminding all of us that truth and humility always overcome pride and wrongdoing.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the afternoon puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Lord Rama, Goddess Durga, and Goddess Saraswati, or the items to be worshipped (books, tools, vehicles)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense sticks
• Sacred Leaves: Shami leaves (Shami Patra) and Apta leaves where available
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Sweets such as Laddu or Kheer, fruits, and betel leaves (paan)
• Devotional Accessories: Marigold flowers, garlands, sacred thread (kalava), and a small vessel of clean water

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Rama and Divine Mother Durga, today I perform this Vijayadashami puja with pure devotion. Grant me victory over the faults within me and success in all my righteous work."
3. Clean the house and decorate the entrance with mango leaves and marigold flowers. Many families keep a simple sattvic meal through the day.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Afternoon)

1. Clean the puja area and place a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean red or yellow cloth.
2. Place the pictures or idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Durga, and Goddess Saraswati on it. Keep your books, tools, or vehicles nearby, cleaned and ready for worship.
3. Place a small pot (Kalash) filled with clean water near the altar and keep the Shami leaves beside it.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the deities.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, Chandan, and Akshat to the deities and to the items being worshipped.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh marigold flowers and garlands, and tie a piece of Kalava (red thread) around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the sweets, fruits, and betel leaves before the deities.

Step 4: Shami Puja and Shastra Puja

1. Worship the Shami tree if one is nearby, or the Shami leaves kept at the altar, with Roli, Akshat, and flowers. This is the Shami Puja, remembering the tree where the Pandavas are said to have hidden their weapons.
2. Perform Shastra Puja (Ayudha Puja) by applying Tilak and flowers to books, tools, and vehicles, praying for success and safety in their use.
3. Exchange Shami or Apta leaves with elders and friends as a sign of good wishes, saying they are like gold (sona) (customs differ by region).
4. In Kerala, children are guided to write their first letters on rice or sand (Vidyarambham), and in Bengal, the idol of Durga is immersed with prayers and women greet each other with sindoor (Sindoor Khela).

Step 5: Aarti and Ravan Dahan (Evening)

1. Perform the Aarti of Lord Rama or Goddess Durga with the lit Ghee lamp, singing devotional hymns, and recite or listen to the Ramayana story of Rama's victory.
2. In the early evening, join the community to watch the burning of the Ravana effigy (Ravan Dahan), which symbolises the end of pride and evil.
3. Pray silently that the ten faults of ego, anger, and greed within you may also be burned away.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the sweet prasad among your family, friends, and neighbours, and greet one another with "Shubh Vijayadashami" (in Bengal, "Shubho Bijoya").
3. Close the day with a family meal of sattvic food.