In brief
Dussehra, the Hindu festival of triumph, is observed nationwide with a mix of grand processions, dramatic retellings of the Ramayana, and the burning of effigies of the villainous Ravana. In the north, performers don elaborate costumes for Ramlila, while in the east and Bengal, devotees set up elaborate tents called pandals to worship Goddess Durga, who is depicted slaying the demon Mahishasura. Festive bazaars, marigold arrangements, and community rides accompany the celebrations in cities from Ahmedabad to Bangalore. The celebrations also signal the beginning of preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights, just a few weeks later.
Millions of Hindus were out in the streets on Sunday to welcome Dussehra, the festival that symbolises the triumph of good over evil. The celebrations, which fall 10 days after Navratri, vary across the country, but all are marked by processions, Ramlila performances and the ceremonial burning of large effigies of Ravana.
Ramlila on the Streets of the North
The last week of September and the first days of October see streets filled with actors in colourful costumes as they enact the epic Ramayana. Near the end of the dramatisation, the candle‑lit final act ends with the symbolic burning of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath effigies, sending a message of victory for righteousness.
Durga Puja in the East
In eastern India and Bangladesh the festival is celebrated along a different thread: Devotees worship Goddess Durga, who is depicted on temporary tents called pandals, often conquering the buffalo demon Mahishasura. These pandals are artistically crafted weeks before the festival, and the festivities are a blend of prayer, music and community gatherings.
Symbols and Festivities All Around
The election of marigolds as a floral symbol is common everywhere, with markets in Bangalore and rural Maharashtra flourishing with bright blossoms. Carnival‑style stalls, rides and family‑friendly events are often lined up beside the main processions, offering food, music and a sense of community joy.
Dussehra Signals the Dawn of Diwali
The festivities pave the way for the festival of lights, Diwali, which is celebrated roughly 20 days later. Preparations, including lighting oil lamps and decorating homes, begin in earnest as the country shifts its focus to the promise of prosperity and light.
