Dussehra (Vijayadashmi) 2023 : Date, Time, Tithi, Muhurat and Significance
Dussehra (Tuesday, October 24, 2023) also known as Dashahara, Dashain (in Nepal), Durgotsav, Navratri, or Vijayadashmi) is one of the greatest Hindu festivals celebrated on the tenth day of Shukla Paksh in the month of Ashwin and is celebrated in a variety of ways in India and the neighboring countries where Hinduism is followed. Some of the rituals and pujas performed on Vijayadashami are Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and Seema Avalanghan.
Dussehra is major festival that is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwin month as per the Hindu calendar. The festival of Dussehra falls is in the month of September or October as per the Gregorian calendar. Dussehra word is derived from two word "Dus" meaning ten and "Hara" meaning defeat symbolizing the slaying of the ten-headed demon king Ravana by Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is also celebrated for the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
The festival commemorates the victory of good over evil as it is the day when Lord Rama killed the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita and held Her captive in Lanka. But the devoted wife Sita braved all ordeals resiliently and waited to be united with Rama. An epic war was fought between Rama and Ravana to rescue Sita. The war lasted for ten days, which culminated on Dashmi (the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month) when Rama valiantly destroyed the ten-headed Ravana and took Sita home. The glorious victory of good over evil and the homecoming of Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman were celebrated with great happiness, which continues to be followed by Hindus to date in the form of Dussehra.
Ram Navami festival - the antecedents of Dussehra
The festival of Ram Navami is the celebration of birth of Rama. It is celebrated on the ninth day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. On this day elaborate celebrations are held in which devotees throng temples, offer special prayers, participate in religious processions and the special recitals of Ramayana (akhanda paath). The festival of Dussehra is a celebration of continued reverence of Rama and His virtuous reign. It is also, in its own manner, the celebration of good, just and right.
Legends of Dussehra
All the legends about Dussehra portray riveting narrations and stories that inspire us to side with the good and destroy the evil. On this day, Goddess Durga emerged victorious by killing Mahishasura and his demons. Goddess Durga derived gigantic powers from many of the Gods to kill Mahishasura, which She did after nine nights on the tenth day, which is called Vijaya (victory) Dashmi.
It is also believed that on this day Rama had performed "Chandi Homa" and invoked the blessings of Durga, who provided Him the secret knowledge of the way to kill Ravana. On the tenth day, Rama found Sita in Ashok Vatika and defeated Ravana, a great event called Vijaya Dashami.
Vijayadashami is also regarded as an auspicious day to begin formal learning. Goddess Saraswati is invoked on this day as students keep their books before the Goddess on the ninth day of Navratri and take them back after puja on Vijayadasami, the tenth day.
Dussehra also marks the return of the Pandavas to their kingdom at the end of their exile to rule their subjects in a just manner.
Spiritual Items associated with Dussehra
Dussehra Puja
For protection against all negative energies
Lord Rama Idols
For divine grace of Lord Rama
Shree Rama Darbar Idol
Blessings and spiritual strength for your family
Ram Darbar Wall Artefact
Protection against malicious energies
Shree Rama locket
Carry divine energies on the go
Shree Ram Yantra
Blessings of Lord Rama
Shree Rama Kada
Energized Kada that strengthens your emotional and mental faculties
Durga Idols
Durga idols of Panchdhatu can be installed for worship. Panchdhatu, as per Shilpa Shastra, is an alloy of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), Brass and lead (Pb) as the major constituent. It is believed these metals attract cosmic energies during worship.
Durga Mala
Discover a range of unique Durga mala made of 9 Mukhi Rudraksha ruled by Goddess Durga Herself. Best for those seeking energy, powers, dynamism, fearlessness, knowledge and abundance in their personal and professional life.
Durga Bracelets
Wearing Durga Bracelet keeps the wearer off all the negative energies including black magic.
Durga Yantra
Durga Yantra when installed at home or office purifies the atmosphere of all negative energies.
Special Durga Pujas
Durga Puja and Yajna on this day is highly recommended. Goddess Durga is worshipped for courage, success and prosperity. She symbolizes strength, morality and protection. Benefits include protection and relief from diseases, attraction of suitable outcomes, self-confidence and courage and blessing of Durga.
Importance of Dussehra
First and foremost, Dussehra is the celebration of the good and defeat of the evil. It is celebrated in a beautiful manner with gaiety and colors. Garba, the traditional dance form of Gujarat, is observed by thousands who gather on all the nine nights to dance and pay obeisance to Ambe Mata (Durga Devi) by dancing to upbeat traditional Gujarati songs and tunes in a circle.
Dussehra is considered an auspicious day to begin new ventures like business or any kind of work. Different states across India observe rituals distinct from each other. Dussehra is truly a beautiful, enriching occasion of celebration, happiness and worship of good.
Neeta Singhal's Personal Message on Dussehra
On this Auspicious day of Dussehra watch Neeta Singhal talk about the real significance behind this festival. The battle between Rama and Ravana is the war between Sankalpa (your ultimate Intention) and Distractions due to Vrittis of the mind to bring back awareness (Sita) within.
One needs to shed the vices of KAMA VASANA (Lust), KRODHA (Anger), MOHA (Attachment), LOBHA (Greed), MADA (Pride), MATSARYA (Jealousy), SWARTHA (Selfishness), ANYAAYA (Injustice), AMANAVTA (Cruelty), AHAMKARA (Ego) to purify the Citta and realise the Self within:
Dear Kantiji, I made the head mala with 1 Mukhi in the center and placed the nine, 9 mukhi beads in two pairs on each side of the head with the ninth 9 mukhi at the rear of the mala. I, however felt that I wanted to have the 1 Mukhi Rudraksha with me all the time so it became part of a mala containing 1 through 14 Mukhi including a newly acquired 9 mukhi I asked Ms. Neeta for, plus Ganesha Bead and GauriShankar totaling 28 Rudraksha in total. I tried wearing the nine 9 mukhi as a braclet but found that my activities placed them in harm's way. I was afraid that I would inadvertently hit them on
Dear Ms. Neetaji, Namaste! I received your package today. What a pleasure to receive these fine rudraksha and Mala. Their quality and beauty were just as I had anticipated. I felt their energy and soothing properties during my morning meditation. I have given the 4 mukhi to our daughter. She was thrilled with her gift and we all appreciate your sincere thoughtfulness. Your gifts are also appreciated. I am listening to the Rudraksha Poojan & Dharan, it is very nice. I have placed the picture of Goddess Mahalaxmi along with the lovely Shree Yantra on my altar. Thank you for these lovely gift
Dear All, Good Day. I first purchased a Akarshaya Siddha Mala from RC. Immediately after that I was given the additional responsibility of photographing all my company�s activity. For short it can be called as I became the official photographer of my company. After that I got my bank loan to clear off all my financial issues. I did that. Along with that I went for an Indra Mala. This time after much delay from my side I got the mala which was reserved to me by Neetaji (which was energized on the 9 days of navratri). I started wearing both malas and my spiritual levels are increasing very muc
Hello, Ms. Neeta and Rudra Centre staffs I would like to thank you very much for a fast delivery of my items and also thank you for the beautiful gifts. I am new to use the rudraksha beads. I saw the 8 muki that I got I just fall in love with my beads. I have the bead on my mind all day. Your packing is just wonderful also love the little red pouch. Thank you very much again and I hope you all the best of the year to come and May God and Goddess bless your business. Marb/USA
Dear Rudra Centre, I am very happy with the products that i have purchased thus far from your website. In a world where there are millions of cheats, trying to make a quick dollar from devotees in the name of the good lord, selling false beads and low quality products, it is nice to know that rudra centre is so genuine and so caring. This company truly is looking for the enlightenment and aid of all people. The products that you sell have helped my family members greatly. For example, my uncle who would be very ill-tempered is enjoying much more peace and tranquility by wearing the eight muki
Dear Sir or Madam, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your excellent web site and superb professionalism. I have purchased a variety of statues/idols and puja items from your site on several occasions. I am always thrilled when I receive the package. Your items are always nicer than described and of high quality. They are packed very well and despite the distant between our two countries they always arrive very quickly. I am always very impressed with your business ethics. Thank you so very much for your site and business and the opportunity it affords those of us in the USA to purchas
Dear Ms. Neeta: I have taken time to write you my experiences with wearing the 19 mukhi rudraksha that you recommended to me in August. I hope this helps your research and other people. I have been wearing my 19 mukhi Rudraksa provided to me by Ms. Neeta Ji. I have been keeping close track of the transformation I have experienced by wearing this divine bead. I hope to give some understanding on the effects that I have personally felt. I am trying to describe the effects and feelings with humility and in no way am trying to gloat. First off I want to let you know about myself and how I was intr
Namaste dear Neetaji, By the grace of the divine my rudraksha bracelets arrived yesterday afternoon UK time. They are so beautiful and made to such a nice design! I love them. I wore them to teach my yoga classes yesterday evening. Thank you for the free gifts too - I gave my mother the 5 mukhi pendant as a gift. I will be in touch to update you on the postive developments in my life. Thank you so much for such a professional service and for the blessings that my bracelets have had before they arrived. Best wishes and Om shanti, Yasmin Z
JAI SAT CHIT ANAND TO EVERYONE @ RUDRACENTRE I am very HAPPY to hear that you have provided me this special bracelet and customised it especially for me, i am most grateful for all the hard work you always put in providing me the best service all year round. My whole Mandir is now finally complete after this order with all your spiritual items. Not a day goes by where i do not think of RUDRACENTRE. I had a deadline to complete my Mandir for 2012 and this was achieved as this has been a very important year SPIRITUALLY for me!! I am so pleased that with all your help and guidance over the 1 year
Dear Rajeev ~ namaste. thank you for keeping me updated. when i woke up on Thursday morning local time, i sensed a deep feeling of stillness. later i found a great site i will forward to you. it\'s a moving depiction of the yantras attached to the ten mahavidyas. this morning i was inspired to dance around while listening to the mahasura mardini....so things are going quite well in the goddess department! i appreciate all the energy invested by the pujaris in performing this puja and yagna and thank you for giving attention to all the details. best wishes, leslie a/k/a maithili