Vijayadashmi 2023: When is Dussehra October 23 Or 24?

Last updated on November 9th, 2023 at 04:11 pm

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated all over India. It marks the victory of good over evil.
While in North India, the festival is associated with Lord Ram defeating the demon king Ravana, in other parts like West Bengal, it’s linked to Goddess Maa Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.

You might hear different names like Dussehra, Vijayadashami, Dasara, or Dashahara. These are all the same festivals, just called by different names in different parts of India. In essence, they all celebrate the triumph of good over evil forces.

This year, the festival is going to be on October 24, 2023. The auspicious time for the puja will start at 12:40 PM and go on until 2:59 PM on the same day. The Dashami Tithi, which is crucial for the festival, starts on October 23 at 5:45 PM and ends on October 24 at 3:14 PM.

During Dussehra, government offices and banks all over India will be closed because it’s a public holiday. This way, everyone can fully enjoy and participate in the celebrations without any interruptions from work.

Now, how do you celebrate this festival? It varies from place to place. In Delhi, people gather to watch Ramleela, which is a dramatic reenactment of Lord Ram’s life.
In Mysore, the festival is celebrated in a royal manner with the whole city lit up. In Kullu, there’s a big fair, and in Kolkata, it marks the end of Durga Puja with the immersion of idols in the river.

Also Read: 10 popular festivals in India you must experience in 2023

Dussehra or Vijayadashami is not just a one-day event but an auspicious combination of various beliefs and practices that change from one region to another.
It’s a time for families to get together, celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and also a time to reflect on the virtues of dharma.
Whether you enjoy watching the burning of an effigy of Ravana or immersing an idol of Maa Durga, the core message remains the same: the victory of good over evil.