“When is Dussehra?” is a question that revolves in the mind of all Hindus as it marks grand celebrations for the day when good forces triumphed over evil forces.
Many legends may be associated with this day but this eternal truth remains strong. Dussehra is celebrated across India and observed by Hindus at the end of Navratri each year.
So, when is Dussehra observed each year? According to the Hindu calendar, Dussehra occurs in the month of Ashwin. The month of Ashwin falls in the month of September or October according to the Gregorian calendar.
Two major legends are associated with the festival of Dussehra. One legend goes that Sri Ram defeated demon king Ravana and the other legend includes the defeat of Mahishasur at the hands of Maa Durga. Dussehra is the last day of the Navratri and Vijayadashami is the last day of Durga Puja.
Although the celebration of this day occurs on the last day of Navratri or Durga Puja but the previous 9 days are celebrated with the same vigor and joy. During the Navaratri, people hold fast and refrain from eating non-vegetarian food to honor the victory of Lord Rama. The variations in the celebrations include:
- Performing “Ramlila”, which depicts certain parts of the epic Ramayana
- In Mysore a huge procession with Maa Chamundeshwari on a throne upon the elephants moves through the decorated streets of Mysore.
- Pandals are built across the cities of West Bengal and other places to worship Maa Durga along with her sons, Ganesh and Karthik as well as daughters, Ma Lakshmi and Ma Saraswati.
Hindus across the world celebrate these 9 days and end it with Dussehra or Vijayadashami. To help you plan your upcoming Dussehra or Vijayadashami, 123NewYear brings for you the dates for Dussehra in upcoming decade, i.e. till 2027:
- October 19, 2018
- October 8, 2019
- October 25, 2020
- October 14, 2021
- October 4, 2022
- October 24, 2023
- October 12, 2024
- October 2, 2025
- October 20, 2026
- October 9, 2027