Devoted To: Tenth Day Of The Hindu Month Of Ashwin (September - October)
Deity Worshipped: Goddess Durga
Also Known As: Vijayadashmi
Religion: Hindu

Legends
Dussehra commences both the victory of the warrior Goddess Durga (consort of Shiva) over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, and that of Rama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu), over Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita. Worship of the Goddess is the oldest tradition, significant in this case as it represents the female deity's supremacy over the male Gods who unable to destroy the demon.

Durga worship also has social implications. As Goddess of war, she is a particular favourite of the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, once constituting the ruling elite and aristocracy.

Celebrations
Dusshera is one of the significant Hindu festivals it is celebrated with much joie de vivre. Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various facets of Rama's life are taken out and scenes from his life enacted out in a popular form of drama called Ramlila.
Different scenes are enacted in different parts of the town, and the audience walks along with the actors of the play, involving themselves physically with the action of the narrative.

On Vijayadashmi day, the gigantic effigies of Ravana being set aflame by the actor dressed as Rama, by shooting an arrow into Ravan's navel. It is said that this particular time is the Vijay Vela when Rama had defeated Ravana and in burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of virtue and goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all his might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.