Vijayadashami – Dussehra 2024

Dussehra is considered a major festival in Hinduism. Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of truth over untruth. The festival of Dussehra is celebrated the next day after the end of the nine-day-long Sharadiya Navratri. According to the Hindu calendar, Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated on the Dashami date of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. According to religious beliefs, two main reasons are given behind the festival of Dussehra. First, Lord Rama killed Ravana on this day and Mother Durga killed Mahishasura in a 10-day war with the demon Mahishasura.

Dussehra 2024 Date and Muhurat

In the year 2024, the Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month will start on October 12 at 10:58 am and will end on October 13 at 9:08 am. Therefore, according to Udayatithi, Dussehra will be celebrated on 12 October 2024 in the year 2024.

Dussehra Puja Vidhi

It is best to do Dussehra Puja in the afternoon. On this day, an Ashtadal Chakra is made with 8 lotus petals in the northeast corner of the house. After this, chant the Aparajitaya Namah mantra in the middle of the Ashtadal and worship Lord Ram along with Maa Durga. After this, install Mata Jaya on the right and Vijaya on the left. Now offer the puja material like roli, Akshat, flowers, etc. to the mother and offer Bhog. Also, do the Aarti of the mother and chant Jaikara. At some places, 9 balls and 2 bowls are made from cow dung. Keep coins in one of these bowls and roli, rice, barley, and fruits in the other. After this, offer barley, bananas, radish, jaggery, etc. to the idol. If you are worshipping ledgers or weapons, then keep these things at the place of worship and apply roli and Akshat on them as well. After this, give donations as per your capacity and feed the poor and the needy. When Ravana Dahan takes place in the evening, give Shami leaves to your family members and then touch the feet of all the elders of the house and seek their blessings.

Importance of Dussehra 

The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show in the country and the world. For 9 days of Sharadiya Navratri, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped with rituals. After the worship of the ninth form of Maa Durga on the ninth day of Sharadiya Navratri, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show with the worship of Lord Rama on the next day i.e. on the Dashami date of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. Dussehra, which is also called Vijayadashami, is also celebrated as a day of weapon worship. Vijayadashami is considered to be a festival celebrated as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. It was on this day that Lord Rama killed Ravana. On the day of Dussehra, effigies of Ravana are burnt in many parts of the country.

Vijayadashami Story 

Dussehra is mentioned in Mahabharata as follows- On one occasion, Parvati wanted to know from Shiva about the practice of Dussehra festival and its results, then Shiva said- “The rising of stars on Ashwin Shukla Dashami creates a period called Vijay, which is said to fulfill all wishes. The king who wants to win over the enemy should depart at this time.

On this very occasion, Shri Ram attacked Lanka and won. On this very date, Arjuna took down weapons from the Shami tree and wore them on his body.” When Parvati wanted to know about Arjuna wearing weapons, then Shiva said- ‘When the Pandavas lost in gambling, Duryodhan had put a condition that during the exile, they would have to live in the visible form for twelve years and in an unknown state for one year.

If they are found in the thirteenth year, then they will have to suffer the exile of twelve years again. For this reason, Arjuna kept his weapons on the Shami tree and took up a job with King Virata in disguise. Virata’s son Uttarkumar accompanied Arjuna to protect the cows and Arjuna defeated his enemies by taking down his favorite weapons from the Shami tree.

It is worth mentioning that the Shami tree protected Arjuna’s weapons for a year. Apart from this, when Shri Ram was leaving to attack Lanka on the day of Vijayadashami, Shami had told him that he would be victorious. That is why Shami is worshipped during the Vijaykaal.

Wrapping Up

The festival of Dussehra or Vijayadashami is celebrated as the victory day of Lord Rama over Ravana. Very few people know that Vijayadashami is not only related to Lord Shri Ram but is also associated with the victory saga of the Mahabharata period, which Arjuna achieved during the exile of the Pandavas. If you also want to know about what things should be donated on the day of Dussehra, then you can take an online astrology consultation.