Dussehra 2025 is one of the biggest Hindu festivals in India. It’s the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Every year millions of people across the country come together to participate in rituals, fairs, plays and family get togethers. Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami and is closely related to the grand festival of Navratri.
In this post you will get to know everything about Dussehra 2025 including date, puja timings, history, rituals, regional traditions, holiday information and how people are celebrating it in modern times.
When is Dussehra in 2025?
In 2025 Dussehra will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The festival falls on Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the month of Ashwin as per Hindu calendar.
- Dashami Tithi Begins: October 1, 2025 (exact time depends on Panchang)
- Dashami Tithi Ends: October 2, 2025
- Vijay Muhurat: Afternoon of October 2 (considered most auspicious for worship and rituals)
Date is same across India, though local traditions and timings for rituals may vary.
Why Do We Celebrate Dussehra?
Dussehra is a festival that celebrates the occasion of good winning over evil. The festival has two main legends. In North India, it marks the occasion when Lord Rama defeated Ravana and liberated the world from Ravana’s control. And in East India, it celebrates the occasion when Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura after a nine-day fight. In both legends, they all convey that the scales will always tilt toward truth and righteousness, despite how powerful evil may seem. That is the reason that people all over the country will burn effigies of Ravana, they will all worship Goddess Durga, and they will all celebrate Dussehra with happiness and togetherness.
Religious and Cultural Significance in 2025
Even today, Dussehra is more than just a festival. It is a reminder to fight our inner evils such as anger, jealousy, and pride. It inspires people to live with truth and righteousness.
Dussehra also brings communities together. It supports cultural arts such as drama, music, and dance through Ram Lila plays and Durga Puja performances. In 2025, many communities will celebrate Dussehra using eco-friendly methods, like burning green effigies and immersing clay idols, to support the environment and social values.
The festival also connects with Navratri, the nine days of worship before Dussehra. While Navratri focuses on devotion, fasting, and honoring feminine energy, Dussehra is the grand finale that celebrates victory and strength.
Dussehra 2025: Rituals, Customs, and Celebrations
Different parts of India follow different customs, but the heart of Dussehra remains the same.
- Morning Rituals: Many people perform Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja, and Seema Avalanghan during the day. These rituals honor weapons, tools, and the Shami tree, which is considered sacred.
- Ram Lila and Effigy Burning: People across North India perform dramatic plays of the Ramayana. In the evening, they burn huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad, followed by fireworks.
- Durga Idol Immersion: In states like West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, Durga idols that were worshipped during Navratri are immersed in rivers or seas on Vijayadashami.
- Family Gatherings: Families come together, exchange gifts, and prepare traditional sweets.
Regional Variations and Unique Celebrations
India’s diversity makes Dussehra celebrations colorful and varied.
- North India: Ram Lila, fairs and Ravana burning attract huge crowds. Delhi and Varanasi are famous for big shows.
- East India: Dussehra merges with Durga Puja. Huge pandals, idol processions and cultural programs mark the end of the festival. Kolkata is famous for its artistic pandals and grand immersions.
- South India: Karnataka celebrates Mysore Dasara with one of the most royal festivals in the country. People organize a grand procession of decorated elephants and host cultural events near Mysore Palace. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, families display Bommai Kolu dolls in their homes.
- West and Central India: Maharashtra observes Simollanghan, where people exchange leaves of the Shami tree as a token of gold. Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh celebrate with folk dances and big gatherings.
- Special Celebrations: Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh is different. Instead of burning effigies, it’s a week long celebration with deities from surrounding villages.
Dussehra Holiday in 2025
Dussehra is a public holiday throughout the country of India. Government offices, banks, and schools are closed on Dussehra. Many states in India organize fairs and cultural programs for Dussehra as well.
Dussehra 2025 falls on October 2, which is also the Gandhi Jayanti holiday, so there is a double holiday atmosphere. In such cases, there are more gatherings, more fairs, and more travel. Many families will plan short trips, or to visit family members, etc., during this time.
Dussehra Puja Timings and Muhurat in 2025
Choosing the right time for worship is very important for Dussehra. The festival is linked with the Dashami Tithi of the Hindu lunar calendar, so puja is done only when this tithi is there. In 2025, Dussehra will be on Thursday, October 2.
Important Timings
- Dashami Tithi: From October 1 evening to October 2 evening
- Aparahna Puja Time: Afternoon is the most auspicious time for Vijayadashami puja. In most parts of India, this window is for about 2 hours after noon.
Vijay Muhurat: A shorter but very auspicious time in the afternoon. Worship during this time is believed to bring success and victory.
Why These Timings Matter
Traditionally, Goddess Durga and Lord Rama had their victories during this auspicious period of the day. Rituals conducted in the afternoon when considered auspicious, especially during Vijay Muhurat are believed to bring strength, peace, and prosperity to families.
Suggested Ritual Flow for 2025
- Morning – Clean the house and altar, decorate with flowers and rangoli, and prepare the offerings.
- Afternoon (Aparahna period) – Perform Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja, and Seema Avalanghan. These rituals honor weapons, tools, and the sacred Shami tree.
- Vijay Muhurat – focus on the main prayers and offerings to either Goddess Durga or Lord Rama. This is the highlight of Dussehra worship.
- Evening – Take part in community celebrations such as Ram Lila, Ravana effigy burning, or Durga idol immersion depending on local customs.
Tips for Devotees
- Check your local Panchang to find out the exact timings in your city, as they can vary by location for sunrise and sunset times.
- If you are unable to perform rituals during Vijay Muhurat, the Aparahna window is also very auspicious.
- If your family is not the type to follow strict timings, you can simply pray and do charity during the day, as the theme of Dussehra is to defeat negativity and spread positivity.
Preparations Before Dussehra
People start preparing for Dussehra days in advance.
- Houses are cleaned and decorated with flowers and rangoli.
- Families buy new clothes, ornaments and puja items.
- Markets are filled with sweets, toys and effigies.
- Ram Lila artists rehearse for weeks to perform the story of Ramayana.
- Many people keep fasts during Navratri and break them after Dussehra rituals.
Food, Sweets, and Fasting Customs
Food is an essential part of Dussehra.
- In North India, we have jalebi, kheer and poori with aloo sabzi.
- In Maharashtra, we share puran poli and shami leaves among friends and family.
- In Bengal, bhog (a holy offering) includes khichdi, sweets and fried items served to devotees.
- Many people keep fast on Dussehra morning and later enjoy a big feast with family. You can also check out Dussehra Dishes for October 2025.
Modern Trends for Dussehra 2025
Festivals evolve with the times, Dussehra is no different.
- Eco-friendly practices: More and more community members are opting to use biodegradable materials for the creation of idols and effigies.
- Technology in celebrations: There is an increase in the use of digital screens, drone shows, and live streaming of Ram Lila performances.
- Social awareness: Instead of simply burning effigies, many community groups decide they want to spread messages against social evils such as corruption, pollution, and social inequality.
- Youth involvement: Young people are actively involved in cultural shows, street plays, and charitable events during Dussehra.
Dos and Don’ts During Dussehra
To make the festival safe and meaningful, here are a few dos and don’ts:
- Dos:
- Perform puja in the right muhurat.
- Respect local customs and traditions.
- Go eco-friendly.
- Share food and happiness with those in need.
- Don’ts:
- Avoid loud and harmful firecrackers.
- Don’t pollute water bodies during idol immersion.
- Avoid crowd rush and unsafe practices during fairs.
Conclusion
Dussehra 2025 will be on October 2. It’s a festival of happiness, togetherness and values. Whether it’s Ravana burning, Durga idol immersion or the royal Mysore procession, the message of Dussehra is clear: truth and goodness always wins.
As you celebrate this year, participate in rituals, enjoy the cultural beauty and also think how to overcome negativity in your life. Let Dussehra 2025 bring light, peace and happiness to your home.
FAQs About Dussehra 2025
Navratri 2025 will start on Wednesday, September 24 and end on Thursday, October 2. The nine days are dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, from Shailputri on Day 1 to Siddhidatri on Day 9. Each day has its own colour, rituals and prayers leading up to Vijayadashami or Dussehra on the tenth day.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Dashami Tithi starts on October 1 evening and ends on October 2 evening, but the main puja and celebrations will be on October 2.
In 2025, Diwali will be on Tuesday, October 21. This festival comes 20 days after Dussehra and marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
Durga Puja 2025 will start on September 30 (Shashthi) and end on October 2 (Dashami). These three days will have the main rituals of Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami followed by the immersion of Durga idols on Vijayadashami.
Dussehra is important because it celebrates the victory of good over evil. In North India it is Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and in East India it is Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. The festival reminds us to choose truth, courage and kindness in our lives. It also unites families and communities through rituals, fairs and cultural programs.
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