Every year, as the sky darkens on Dussehra, crowds gather to watch towering effigies of Ravana burst into flames. Children cheer, families take photographs, and the smell of festive food fills the air. For a few moments, the victory of good over evil becomes a spectacle everyone can witness.
But when the flames disappear and the crowds return home, an important question remains: what does the victory of good over evil mean in our everyday lives?
Celebrated as Dussehra, Dasara or Vijayadashami, the festival carries a message that goes beyond a single evening of celebration. In 2026, Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday, 20 October, in most parts of India, although some regions follow different observances. The festival marks Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana in the Ramayana and, in another important tradition, Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
Why vijayadashami has more than one story
India’s festivals often bring together different regional traditions, and Vijayadashami is a good example. In many parts of northern India, the day is associated with the conclusion of Ramlila performances and the burning of Ravana’s effigy. These events recall the final battle between Rama and Ravana.
In West Bengal, the day is known as Bijoya Dashami and marks the farewell to Goddess Durga after Durga Puja. In Karnataka, Mysuru’s Dasara celebrations are known for their royal heritage and cultural processions. Other regions observe the occasion through prayers, family gatherings and traditional rituals.
Although the celebrations differ, the idea of overcoming destructive forces connects these traditions. The stories also remind people that victory is not simply about defeating an opponent. It is about restoring balance and protecting what is right.
The ravana within everyday life
Ravana is traditionally remembered as a powerful king whose knowledge and abilities did not prevent his downfall. His story offers a useful reflection on the difference between intelligence and wisdom, power and responsibility, and pride and self-control.
For an ordinary person, these ideas are not distant from daily life. A shopkeeper who chooses honesty over cheating a customer, a student who admits a mistake instead of blaming someone else, or a colleague who speaks up against unfair treatment may never stand before a cheering crowd. Yet each makes a meaningful choice.
These everyday decisions do not replace the religious meaning of Dussehra. They offer one way to reflect on its enduring message: harmful behaviour must be recognised before it can be changed.
The festival also invites us to look beyond other people’s mistakes. It is easy to identify dishonesty, anger or arrogance in someone else. Recognising these qualities in ourselves can be much harder.
Why the celebration still matters
Dussehra is also a time when communities come together. Local performers rehearse Ramlila for days, artisans build elaborate effigies, vendors prepare for festive crowds, and families make time for traditions that connect generations.
Behind the public celebration are the people who keep these customs alive. Their work shows how cultural traditions survive not only through ancient stories but also through the efforts of ordinary communities.
For children watching Ravana’s effigy burn, the event may begin as an exciting evening. Over time, conversations with parents and grandparents can help them understand the values associated with the story.
The festival can also encourage a wider conversation about how celebrations are organised, including responsible waste management and consideration for nearby residents. Preserving a tradition and caring for the community can go hand in hand.
A victory that continues after dussehra
Vijayadashami arrives at the end of Navratri, a period associated with devotion and the worship of Goddess Durga in many Hindu traditions. It represents a moment of completion, but its message need not end with the festival.
The effigy may burn in a single evening, but the work of becoming more honest, patient and responsible takes much longer. There is no annual ceremony that can automatically remove prejudice, selfishness or cruelty from society.
Perhaps that is the most human way to understand Dussehra. Its value lies not only in remembering the victories described in sacred stories, but also in asking what we can do differently when we return to our ordinary lives.
The real question is not just why Ravana burns every year. It is whether we carry the courage to confront what is wrong long after the fire has gone out.
Subscribe Deshwale on YouTube
