🏹 Vijayadashami (Dussehra) Vrat Katha
The story
After Sita's abduction during the exile, Shri Rama marched on Lanka. Before the war he worshipped Shakti for nine days, and on the tenth day slew the arrogant Ravana — which is why effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad are burnt on this day. The burning effigy symbolises burning the ten heads of Ravana within us — ego, anger, greed, attachment, pride, envy, laziness, violence, deceit and adharma.
The second story is of Maa Durga and Mahishasura — after nine days of battle the Goddess killed Mahishasura on the Dashami, hence Vijaya-Dashami. In Bengal the idol is immersed on this day — the Goddess returns from her parents' home (earth) to her husband's home (Kailash), so there are tears of farewell and Sindoor Khela.
The Shami puja story comes from the Mahabharata — in their year of hiding the Pandavas concealed their weapons on a Shami tree and took them down on Vijayadashami when the year was over, worshipped them and went on to defeat the Kauravas. In the story of Raghu and Kautsa, gold coins rained from a Shami tree on this day — which is why Maharashtra exchanges apta/Shami leaves calling them 'gold'.
Why this katha — the significance
Vijayadashami is one of the three-and-a-half 'abujh' (needs-no-checking) muhurats — the whole day, especially the afternoon Vijay Kaal, is considered auspicious for new work, griha pravesh, buying a vehicle, vidyarambh and naming ceremonies.
The festival joins two stories — the Ramayana's slaying of Ravana and the Devi Purana's slaying of Mahishasura. That is why North India has Ramlila and Ravan Dahan while Bengal and the South have Durga immersion and Ayudha Puja — both on the same day.
For women it is the closing day of the Navratri fast — sharing the jawara, sprinkling the kalash water in the house, touching the feet of elders, and marking children and brothers with jawara and curd-rice tilak.
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
📿 Vijayadashami (Dussehra) puja vidhi (step by step) →
Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra in {Y}?
The date shown at the top is this year's Vijayadashami — Ashwin Shukla Dashami, from panchang calculations; the afternoon Vijay Muhurat is shown there too.
What is the Vijay Muhurat and why is it special?
The afternoon window on Dashami when Shri Rama set out for battle — roughly 48 minutes, shown above for Delhi. New work, a vehicle, griha pravesh and vidyarambh are auspicious in it without any separate muhurat.
Is the Navratri fast broken on Dussehra?
Many families break it on Navami after the havan and Kanya Pujan, and many on Dashami morning after puja — both are valid. Follow your family's custom.
Why is the Shami tree worshipped?
In the Mahabharata the Pandavas hid their weapons on a Shami tree and took them down on Vijayadashami to win; Shami is also regarded as the tree of Shani and Agni — keeping its leaf in the safe is believed to bring stability of wealth.
Can we buy new things on Dussehra?
Yes — it is one of the three-and-a-half abujh muhurats; vehicles, gold, a house, electronics, new books and pens are all auspicious. Even better in the Vijay Muhurat.
🏠 Vijayadashami (Dussehra) 2026 — date, muhurat, full page · All vrat & festivals