Dussehra: Vijaya Dashami

Vijayadashami is a festival celebrated in various forms across India on the tenth day of the Hindu autumn lunar month of Ashvin. It is the culmination of the 10-day annual Navaratri ('nine nights') festival. It is traditional to plant barley seeds in earthen pots on the first day of Navrathri. On the day of Dussehra, the nine-day old sprouts (called noratras or nortas) are used as symbols of luck. Men place them in their caps or behind their ears.

The legend associated with the Shami tree finds commemoration during the renowned Navaratri celebrations at Mysore. On Vijaydashami day, at the culmination of a colourful 10-day celebration, the goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped and then borne in a grand procession on a Golden Ambari or elephant-mounted throne through the city of Mysore, from the historical Mysore Palace to the Banni Mantapa.

Kullu, also known as the valley of Living Gods, transforms completely at the time of Dussehra festival. Fairs are held and deities are brought from different temples in the hills in well adorned chariots or palanquins to the temple of raghunathji, the places supreme god.

In northern India Ramlila is performed depicting episodes from Ramayana, the hindu mythological epic and epitomising lord Rama, its hero. In Tamilnadu, a colourful stepped platform is prepared and decorated with toys and idols of gods and goddesses during this time, also known as kollu, in every household. The gods and goddesses are worshipped during the nine days of navratri, known as the ayutha puja, praying for a better educational and professional life.

In Gujarat a special kind of dance is held, called Dandiya or Garba, and is played with two small sticks to the rythms of mainly devotional music. It is held in public places and men and women of all ages participate in this dance in traditional costumes. In Punjab the goddess durga is worshipped along with fasting and chanting durga bhajans(religious songs) called jagrata during the navratri.