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The Story Behind Dassehra
Dassara, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of India’s most celebrated festivals. At its heart, it is about the victory of good over evil. Two main legends are associated with it:
1. Lord Rama and Ravana – The Ramayana Story
- Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka, kidnapped Sita, the wife of Lord Rama.
- Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana and the devoted Hanuman, waged a fierce battle to rescue her.
- After days of war, Rama finally shot the fatal arrow that killed Ravana on the tenth day of battle — Vijayadashami.
- This victory symbolized the triumph of righteousness (dharma) over arrogance, lies, and evil.
👉 This is why, in North India, huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath are burnt every Dassara, reminding people that evil — no matter how strong — will ultimately fall.
2. Goddess Durga and Mahishasura – The Devi Story
- According to another tradition, a powerful demon named Mahishasura terrorized heaven and earth.
- None of the gods could defeat him, so they combined their powers to create Goddess Durga.
- After a fierce nine-day battle, Durga finally killed Mahishasura on the tenth day.
- This day came to be known as Vijayadashami, marking the victory of divine feminine power over evil.
👉 This is why, in Bengal and eastern India, Dassara is the grand finale of Durga Puja, where idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers after days of worship.
✨ The Deeper Message
Both stories, though different, carry the same truth:
- Evil may appear powerful for a while, but it never lasts.
- Courage, truth, and goodness always prevail in the end.
How Dassehra is Celebrated Across India
Though Dassara symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, the celebrations vary from region to region, each carrying its own flavor, culture, and traditions.
1. North India – Ramlila & Burning of Ravana Effigies
- The Ramayana story is staged as Ramlila plays in towns and villages.
- The climax happens on Dassara when gigantic effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath — stuffed with firecrackers — are set ablaze.
- Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab are famous for these grand shows.
2. West Bengal – End of Durga Puja
Dassara coincides with the last day of Durga Puja, when Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura is celebrated.
On Vijayadashami, beautifully decorated idols of Durga are taken in procession and immersed in rivers or seas.
Women perform the ritual of Sindoor Khela (smearing vermillion on each other) before bidding farewell to the Goddess.
3. Mysuru, Karnataka – Royal Dasara
- Known as Mysuru Dasara, it is the state festival of Karnataka.
- The highlight is the grand procession (Jamboo Savari), led by decorated elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
- The Mysore Palace is illuminated with 100,000+ lights — a breathtaking sight.
4. Gujarat – Garba & Dandiya Nights
- In Gujarat, Dassara falls on the last day of Navratri, which is celebrated with nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas dances.
- On Vijayadashami, people perform shastra puja (worship of tools, weapons, or instruments of work).
5. Maharashtra – Shami Tree & Exchange of Gold Leaves
- People worship the Shami tree, recalling the story of the Pandavas hiding their weapons in it during exile.
- Families exchange Apta tree leaves, symbolizing gold, and greet each other with prosperity wishes.
6. Tamil Nadu & Southern States – Saraswati & Ayudha Puja
- In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, Dassara is part of Navratri Golu (doll festival).
- On Vijayadashami, Ayudha Puja is performed — tools, vehicles, books, and instruments are cleaned, decorated, and worshipped.
- Children are often initiated into learning (Vidyarambham) on this auspicious day.
7. Himachal Pradesh – Kullu Dussehra
- Celebrated for a whole week after Vijayadashami.
- Local deities from nearby villages are brought in procession to Kullu, where they join the main idol of Lord Raghunathji.
- Instead of burning effigies, a symbolic sacrifice of evil is performed.
8. Odisha & Eastern States
- Celebrated as the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, with processions and immersion ceremonies similar to Bengal.
- The Shami tree and Jammi puja are also observed in some regions.
✨ Common Thread
Despite the regional variations, the essence of Dassara remains the same:
- Victory of truth over lies
- Triumph of good over evil
- Reminder to burn our inner Ravanas
The Story of the Inner Ravana
A young boy, Ravi, once asked his grandfather why people burn Ravana every year. The old man smiled and said,
“Ravana’s ten heads are not just in stories. They represent anger, greed, jealousy, ego, laziness, and other bad habits we all carry. Burning the effigy outside is easy. Burning the Ravana inside is the true victory.”
That night Ravi thought about it. When he shouted at his sister — that was anger. When he lied about his homework — that was dishonesty. When he refused to share toys — that was greed. Slowly, he understood that every good choice he made was like cutting off one of Ravana’s heads within him.
The 10 Heads of Ravana in Modern Life
Here’s what Ravana’s heads look like today — and how we can “burn” them:
| Ravana’s Head (Symbolic) | Modern Habit / Evil | How to Burn It (Simple Action) |
|---|---|---|
| Anger | Shouting, hurting others | Pause, breathe, respond calmly |
| Greed | Always wanting more money/things | Practice gratitude, share with others |
| Attachment (Moha) | Over-possessiveness | Learn to let go, give space |
| Pride (Ahankara) | Ego, “I am always right” | Be humble, accept mistakes |
| Jealousy | Comparing with others | Focus on your growth, celebrate others |
| Selfishness | Thinking only of self | Do a kind act daily without expecting return |
| Lust / Desire | Craving pleasures without control | Practice balance and discipline |
| Laziness | Procrastination, wasting time | Start small — just begin |
| Dishonesty | Lying, cheating | Speak truth in small matters |
| Fear / Doubt | Lack of confidence | Recall past wins, take one brave step |
Why This Matters Today
In modern life, evil is less about demons and more about habits, temptations, and negative patterns that pull us down. The Dassara festival reminds us that no matter how strong these inner demons seem, they can be defeated with self-awareness, discipline, and courage.
A Personal Dassehra Ritual
This year, don’t just enjoy the fireworks. Write down one “head of Ravana” you want to burn within yourself. It could be anger, fear, laziness, or dishonesty. Consciously work on it every day — and by the next Dassara, you’ll be lighter, stronger, and more victorious.
✨ True victory is not watching Ravana burn outside but ensuring he no longer rules inside us.
Empowering Women
Dassara is not only about Rama’s victory over Ravana but also about the powerful role women played in shaping the epic. From Sita’s courage and dignity in adversity, to Shabari’s devotion that broke barriers of caste and status, to Mandodari’s wisdom in advising Ravana against arrogance — the Ramayana highlights women as carriers of strength, faith, and wisdom.
In today’s world, we see the same spirit in women who rise as entrepreneurs, leaders, scientists, and changemakers, overcoming challenges of inequality and bias. Just as Sita stood unshaken in Ravana’s captivity, modern women show resilience in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities. This Dassara, as we burn the Ravana within, let us also commit to empowering women so their voices and leadership can help defeat the evils of discrimination, violence, and injustice.
Green Dassehra
Burn the Ravana Inside — Not the Air Outside
This Dassara, let’s make our victory over evil also a victory for the planet. Firecrackers and smoky effigies fill the air with noise and pollution that lingers long after the fireworks fade. The real triumph — the one that lasts — is when we burn the Ravana inside us: anger, greed, pride, jealousy. Celebrate with joy, but leave cleaner air and kinder hearts for everyone.
Why Go Green?
- Firecrackers increase air and noise pollution and harm children, elders, pets, and people with respiratory issues.
- Traditional effigies can use non-biodegradable materials that pollute when burned.
- A quieter, cleaner celebration spreads joy without collateral harm.
7 Ways to Celebrate Green Dassehra 🌱
- Eco-Friendly Effigies
Build Ravana effigies from straw, bamboo, and paper instead of plastic or thermocol. Avoid firecrackers — let symbolic burning be smoke-free. - Community Pledges
Instead of crackers, gather as a community and write down one bad habit (anger, jealousy, greed) on paper. Burn these small notes safely, symbolizing the destruction of inner Ravanas. - Plant a Tree for Ravana
For every Ravana effigy, plant trees as a mark of renewal and victory of life over destruction. - Storytelling & Ramlila Plays
Organize street plays or short skits that highlight the story of Rama, Sita, and Ravana — spreading wisdom without pollution. - Light Over Smoke
Decorate with diyas, lanterns, or LED lights instead of smoky fireworks. - Sweets, Not Smoke
Share eco-friendly gifts, homemade sweets, or local crafts to spread joy while supporting artisans. - Teach Children the True Spirit
Encourage kids to dress as Rama, Sita, Hanuman and perform plays — instilling values of courage, truth, and kindness.
The Real Ravana to Burn 🔥
Ravana is not just an effigy — he lives inside us in the form of ego, anger, greed, jealousy, and pride. The real victory is when we burn these negative qualities and let kindness, honesty, and compassion win.
🌏 A Festival of Victory, A Future of Responsibility
By celebrating a Green Dassara, we pass on cleaner air, quieter nights, and stronger values to the next generation. The message of the festival remains the same — good will always overcome evil — but this time, good also means making choices that protect our planet.
This year, let’s not just burn Ravana outside.
Let’s burn the Ravana within — and let the earth breathe easy. 🌿
Read our blogs on holistic health & wellness here.
👉 Kid-Friendly Ramayana Summary
Ramayana: The Story of Rama, Sita & the Triumph of Good
Source: FirstCry – The Ramayana Story For Children With Moral FirstCry
(Another version: EuroKids — Story Summary eurokidsindia.com)