Namperumal’s Vijaya Yatra: The Unique Vijayadasami Tradition of Srirangam Among the many vibrant traditions celebrated at the ancient Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple , the Vijayadasami Vijaya Yatra of Namperumal stands out as a remarkable blend of devotion, symbolism, and living temple tradition. Observed on the auspicious day of Vijayadasami , the festival commemorates the victory of righteousness over evil and reflects the protective role of the Divine. Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple Vijayadasami Vijaya Yatra Festival 2026 date is October 20. This sacred event is not merely a ritual procession but a deeply meaningful tradition that has been followed for centuries in Srirangam , one of the most important centers of Sri Vaishnava worship. The Sacred Departure of Namperumal On the morning of Vijayadasami, at exactly 6:30 am, Namperumal begins his annual Vijaya Yatra , symbolizing a divine expedition of victory. The utsava deity leaves the temple precincts through the majestic Vellai Gop...

Vijayadashami is the last day of the 10-day Dussehra festival and the day after the nine-day Navratri festival. The murtis of Goddess Durga are immersed on the day. Dussehra 2026 date is October 20. Vijayadashami 2026 is observed as Vidyarambham in Kerala (October 21) and it marks the end of Mysore Dasara (October 21). Please note that Durga Puja immersion is marked on October 20 and October 21, 2026 in Bengal. Saraswati Puja comes to an end in many regions with Saraswati Balidan Puja on the day. Dasara Puja holidays are observed during the period starting from Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Amavasya (October 10). Vijayadashami Puja And Dasara Festival 2026 Dates Vijayadashami is marked on October 20, 2026 in certain calendars followed in North Dasara is marked on October 20, 2026 in South, East and Western parts of India. Vidyarambham in Kerala is marked on October 21, 2026. Mysuru Dasara is from October 11 to October 21 Immersion of Goddess Durga Murti is marked on October 20 and Octob...

The Divine Glory of Chamundeshwari Dasara: Mysore's Sacred Celebration of Victory The Chamundeshwari Dasara Festival stands as one of Karnataka's most magnificent celebrations, weaving together centuries of devotion, cultural heritage, and spiritual significance. Held annually during the auspicious Ashvauja Sukla Padya to Dasami period (spanning ten days), this festival transforms the historic city of Mysore into a vibrant tapestry of faith, tradition, and communal harmony. Chamundeshwari Dasara festival 2026 date is from October 11 to October 21. Historical Roots and Sacred Origins The festival's origins trace back to the legendary victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over the demon Mahishasura, a tale that gave Mysore its very name—derived from "Mahishooru," meaning "the place of Mahisha." This divine triumph symbolizes the eternal victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and righteousness over malevolence. The Wodeyar dynasty, who ruled Mysore for...

Niranjana festival is a name used to describe the Vijayadashami festival which is observed on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi – which marks the end of Durga Puja and Dasara. The Mahakala Samhita says that when the Goddess was invoked before the usual time (the Akal Bodhan) for Ravana’s destruction, she was pleased by the heartfelt prayers. Then Brahma and other gods made a solemn vow to her. They promised that when Ravana was slain on Navami, they would establish a grand festival in her honor. The gods decided that this festival would be held on the afternoon of Dashami, after Ravana’s death. After pleasing the Goddess with offerings and sacrifices, both gods and humans would celebrate this Niranjana Mahotsav (Festival of Worship and Victory) on Earth.  The festival would include: Music, dance, and instrumental performances Play with clay or mud (kadakhela) Worship of weapons, chariots, elephants, and horses Exchange of greetings and words of love among the virtuous From that d...

Unlike in other regions of India, Dasara in Bastar has nothing to do with victory of Rama over Ravana. The Dussehra festival in Bastar in Chhattisgarh is associated with Goddess Danteshwari, the main goddess of the tribals of the region. Bastar Dussehra 2026 is on October 20. The rituals are spread over nearly two months. The important rituals are held for a fortnight from October 10, 2026 (Mahalaya Amavasya). Bastar Dussehra Trivia 75-day Tribal festival Main worship dedicated to nature and Devi Danteshwari - the presiding deity of Bastar. Observed from the 13th century Thousands of tribals from surrounding villages and jungles gather here to pay homage to Devi Danteshwari The murti of Goddess is taken out of the ancient Danteshwari temple and then taken around the city in an elaborate procession.  Important Rituals - Pujas and Worship Kalash Sthapana, Pata Jatra (worship of wood),  Lighting Jyoti Kalash Deri Gadhai (posting of the pillars) Kacha...

Naada Habba, the 10-day festival of Dussehra, is one of the most popular festivals in Karnataka, especially in the Mysore region. In 2026, Naada Habba begins on October 11 and ends on October 21. Dasara celebration in Karnataka is more than six hundred years old and traces its origin to the Vijayanagara kingdom (1336 AD -1565 AD). In Karnataka, the origin of Naada Habba is mainly associated with the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by Chamundeswari, an aspect of Durga worshipped in this region. The highlight of the 10-day festival is a procession on Vijayadasami day (final day) which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The important pujas, ceremonies and rituals associated with Dasara in Mysore is observed in Amba Vilas Palace by the Wodeyars, the erstwhile rulers of the region. The head of the Wodeyar family conducts all the religious rituals associated with Dasara on all ten days. He appears in royal robes and holds a durbar at the Amba Vilas Palace and he ...

A collection of quotes on Vijayadasami by various Hindu saints and gurus. After the three stages of worshipping Goddesses are gone through, on the last Vijayadasami day Adharma is burnt down indicating the transcendence of the ego, when man attains the great victory – Vijaya – over his sense-life and revels in the ecstatic experience of the Transcendental Reality. (Swami Chinmayananda) The Goddess is never idle. She is always busy in the destruction of evil in the world. As we vow to remove the evil from our own hearts and our own lives on Vijayadasami, we must be just as vigilant, just as active and just as conscientious. We must never become complacent; for anger, greed, ego, and lust are always present, always lurking, and always ready to make home in welcoming hearts. (Swami Chidanand Saraswati) Though normally Vijayadasami is understood as the tenth culminating day of the Navaratri festival it can be interpreted in various ways. The word Vijayadasami can be spli...

Simolanghan is observed during Dussehra and it held great significance during ancient times. Simolanghan 2026 date is October 20. Seema is ‘limit or confines’ and langhan means ‘to defy or to cross.’ Earlier, villagers who were confined to a particular area were allowed to break the barriers and visit villages that were out of bounds during the other periods. Simolanghan Ritual during Vijayadashami is famous in some temples in Maharashtra. Today too people make use of the day to do things that are not done usually during other periods. Some people go on trekking to tough mountains on the day. Simolanghan is observed on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dasami or the tenth day during the waxing phase of moon.

Aparajita stotram is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti. In this form, she cannot be defeated by any living being. She is the invincible form of Maa Durga. The Aparajita Stotram is specially chanted on the Vijaya Dashami and Dussehra day. शृणुध्वं मुनय : सर्वे सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदाम्। असिद्धसाधिनीं देवीं वैष्णवीमपराजिताम्।। नीलोत्पलदलश्यामां भुजङ्गाभरणोज्ज्वलाम्। बालेन्दुमौलिसदृशीं नयनत्रितयान्विताम्।। पीनोत्तुङ्गस्तनीं साध्वीं बद्धद्मासनां शिवाम्। अजितां चिन्येद्देवीं वैष्णवीमपराजिताम्।। Benefits of Chanting Aparajita Stotram The most important benefit of chanting Aparajita stotram is that it helps in overcoming all kinds of fear in life. A person will gather strength and will power to face the difficulties of life. It is chanted to overcome external and internal enemies.

In North and Western parts of India people distribute leaves of Apta, or Apati, tree leaves on Dussehra and Vijayadasami day. In this ritual, Apta tree leaves symbolically represents gold or sona. People present Apta tree leaves to friends, relatives and neighbors and wish happy Dasara. There is an interesting story on why Apati tree leaves are presented on Dussehra. The English name of it is bidi-leaf tree. Scientific name is  Bauhinia Racemosa Medicinal use : Fresh paste of the bark is used to cure swellings.  Bark extract helps in curing indigestion.  Leaf paste is used to cure headache by applying on forehead.  Fresh flower bud is used to cure cough. Drink prepared using dried leaves is used to cure diarrhea, internal bleeding, and hemorrhages. In Hinduism - symbol of gold, peace, prosperity and good health. Offer to friends, neighbors and relatives as sign of prosperity. Worshipped for good health and wealth. Names in Indian Languages ...

Vijayadashami is celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dasami (10th day of the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month). Vijaya Dashami is the last day of Durga Puja and Dasara Festival. It is observed on the day after nine-day Navratri festival. This day is also observed as Madhwa Jayanthi day - it is on this day that Vayu Deva made his Avatara as Sri Madhwacharya. Shirdi Sai Baba Mahasamadhi is also observed on the day. Story of Vijayadashami  Sri Rama Killed Ravana It is on this day that in Treta Yuga, Bhagavan Sri Ram killed Ravana. Sri Rama with the assistance of Vanarasena, under the able leadership of Sugriva and Hanuman, invaded Lanka and killed Ravana, Kumbhakarna and rescued Sita devi, who was kidnapped by Ravana. To commemorate the divine event, people all over the country celebrate the day by burning the huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna (brother of Ravana) and Meghnad (son of Ravana). Goddess Durga Annihilated Mahishasura  Another legend has...

Bommai Kolu, or Bommala Koluvu, is the artistic display of dolls by women during Navratri and Dussehra in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and among certain communities in Kerala. In 2026, Navratri Bommai Kolu begins on October 11 and concludes on October 20. The dolls, called Kollu or Golu, represents the durbar or assembly of Goddess Durga. Traditional Bommai Kolu Is Assembly Held By Goddess Durga This assembly is held just before Mother Goddess ventures on her mission to slay Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. Therefore when depicted along with the ‘kolu,’ Goddess Durga is also referred as Mahishasura-mardini. Tradition and History of Bomma Kolu Navratri Bommai Golu was first celebrated during the Vijayanagara dynasty, estimated to be in the 14th century. That was the beginning, because once Golu starts, it cannot be stopped. So, when the Vijayanagara Empire collapsed, this custom spread to smaller royal principalities. The traditions and customs of the...

Shami Puja is an important ritual held during Vijaya Dashami and Dussehra day. In 2026, the date of Shami Puja is October 20. The rituals and pujas on the day are dedicated to the Shami Tree and is of great importance. Ganesha Purana mentions that those worshipping Shami Tree on Dussehra will be free from sins. Story of Worshipping Shami Tree Legend has it that Shami the daughter of learned sage Aurva was married to Mandar, son of Dhaumya. The newlywed couple once happened to see sage Bhrushundi who bore a trunk on his forehead as a mark of devotion to Ganesha. On seeing the sage with a trunk, Shami and Mandar could not control their laughter and they started laughing mockingly. An angry Sage Bhrushundi cursed them to become trees. Upon hearing their children’s misfortune, Sage Dhaumya and Aurva prayed to Ganesh to rescue their Children. Lord Ganesh was not ready to displease his staunch devotee Sage Bhrushundi. So Ganesh gave the boon that Mandar Tree w...

A collection of thoughts and quotes on Vijaya Dashami and Dasara by Swami Chinmayananda. Man’s real nature is Absolute Bliss and Knowledge. He tries to reach this state with the help of his mind and intellect. But the mind constantly gravitates to the sense objects for sensual pleasures from the external world. By such extroverted pursuits man gets involved more and more in the world of objects and accumulates desires which veil the divinity in him. Man is thus in a helpless condition consumed by numerous desires. The ancient masters knew that he has to turn his attention inwards to gain the state of Absolute Bliss and Knowledge which he foolishly seeks in the external world. With this view of mind, they introduced various rituals and festivals throughout the year to remind man of his supreme goal and ideal. And Dussehra and Vijayadashami are prominent among them. The great day of Dasara indicates, as the word suggests, Dasa-Papa-Hara or the end of the ten sins. The...

Madikeri Dasara festival is dedicated to Goddess Mariamma. There are four important temples dedicated to Mariamma in Coorg – Kodagu town in Karnataka. The origin of Madikeri Dasara dates back to the reign of Haleri Kings. The current form of the Karaga Festival is more than 120 years old. Madikeri Dasara 2026 is from October 11 to October 21. Four Goddesses of Madikeri Dasara ·        Kote Mariyamma ·        Kunduru Motte Chowti Mariyamma ·        Dandina Maariyamma ·        Kanchi Kamakshi Amma Each of the Mariamma has a unique Karaga dance. Karaga dance is a ritualistic folk dance dedicated to Mariyamma. It begins on the first day of Navratri. Karaga is also the term used to refer to the murti of Goddess carried on the head by the temple priest. Highlights of Karaga Festival The priest who takes Karaga dresses in a yellow colo...

Dedicated to Ravan, the Dashanan Mandir located outside the Chinnamasta Temple at Shivala in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh is open for worship in a year only on the Dussehra day. Ravana is believed to be the guard of Goddess Chinnamasta and the 5ft idol of Ravan stands outside the temple protecting the deity. Legend has it that Ravan who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva was always on the lookout for ways to appease Him. Guarding Chinmastika was one of the ways that Ravan found to impress Lord Shiva. This temple of Ravana opens only in the morning of Dasara day and closes after 12 hours. Thousands of people from different parts of India arrive on the day to offer prayers to Ravan. When effigy of demon Ravana is burned in one place, another place chooses to worship him – suggesting that there is an amount of goodness in every person. You may also like to read Ravana Worshiped in Kolar District of Karnataka Ravan Descendants in Jodhpur

There are numerous and unique traditions associated with Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami like giving apta leaves and performing shami tree puja. One such unique tradition is eating pan on Dussehra. On the day people offer paan to Lord Hanuman and later consume it as Prasad. It is widely believed that Hanuman loves eating paan. As per Hindu astrology, paan is a symbol of victory and Vijaya Dashami celebrates the victory of Sri Ram over Ravana and that of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. People eat paan after the burning of the effigy of Ravana. And take a vow to follow Dharma the path of righteousness. Paan is also a symbol of love, honor, fame, dignity and esteem. This is the reason why it is widely used during auspicious events. Dussehra also marks the change of season and various contagious diseases spread during the period. There is a belief that paan improves immunity and provides protection against diseases. During Navratri, people fast for nine days and...

Talk about Dasara and the first thing that comes to mind is burning of the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath. But this image of effigy burning does not apply to Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh. Kullu Dussehra 2026 begins on October 20 to October 26. In Kullu Dussehra, Lord Raghunath (Lord Ram) is worshipped and the Dasara festivities begin on Vijayadasami day – when the Dussehra festivities end in other of India . The popular legend of Kullu Dussehra is associated with Raja Jagat Singh who unknowingly became responsible for the death of a family and to overcome the remorse he was advised to worship Lord Ram. The King was able to overcome remorse and depression through the worship of Lord Ram. As a thanksgiving, the King invited all the deities in the Kullu valley to participate in Lord Ram worship on Vijayadasami day. The next 7-days were dedicated to worship and celebration. Dussehra at Kullu commences on the Vijayadashmi with the arrival of Goddess...

The story associated with Navratri and Durga Puja is found in the Markandeya Purana. The chapters 81 to 93 in the Markandeya Purana talks about the slaying of demon Mahishasura or Mahisha by Durga and it is referred as Devi Mahatmya and is recited during the Navratri and Durga Puja. It symbolized the victory of good over evil.  Devi Mahatmya extols the greatness of Durga in 700 hymns grouped into 537 sections and therefore it is also known as Durga Saptashati. It details the exploits of the goddess in her three major forms: Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati, representing the three fold energy: strength, wealth and wisdom. The most famous episode is Durga killing Mahishasura. Birth of Mahishasura Legend has it that two sons of Danu called Rambha and Karambha performed penances to gain more powers. Rambha performed the austerities by standing amidst five ritual fires called Panchagni and Karambha by standing in neck-deep in water. Indra, the lord of the gods...

Many people dress up as Hanuman in Panipat in Haryana on the seventh, eighth and ninth day of Navratri and also on the Dasara day. They do this as part of gratitude for wish fulfilled and prayers heard by the Almighty. Those who become Hanumans, sleep in nearby temples and follow the strict rules of a Brahmachari. They also fast for 7 to 21 days. The Hanumans roam around the street blessing people and they are also invited into homes for pujas. Times of India reports  A tradition - in which people dress up like Hanuman and move around on city streets -- brought to this part of the country by the Laiya and the Hyderabadi communities of the Mianwali district in the northwest of Punjab province, Pakistan, after the partition.  According to Ramesh Kumar, president of Panipat Dussehra Committee, the tradition was brought here by one Suraj Bhan who, along with his family, arrived in Panipat after the partition. Soon, other members of his community also arrived here. Along...