Dussehra: A Celebration of the Triumph of Good Over Evil
By Lokanath Mishra
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. Celebrated at the end of Navratri, the festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness over evil, light over darkness, and truth over falsehood. Across India and among diaspora communities worldwide, Dussehra carries profound cultural, spiritual, and social meaning. For Odia Hindus—both in Odisha and abroad—the festival is not only a time of devotion but also an opportunity to reaffirm cultural identity and strengthen bonds within the community.
Why Dussehra Is Celebrated
The festival is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. It is primarily associated with two great narratives:
• The Ramayana : Dussehra marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In many parts of India, the burning of Ravana’s effigy commemorates this moment, reminding devotees of the timeless importance of virtue and righteousness.
• The Devi Mahatmya: In another tradition, Dussehra celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, embodying the power of the divine feminine and the protection of the cosmos from chaos and negativity.
Together, these stories emphasize courage, justice, and devotion, making Dussehra a festival of both spiritual reflection and joyous celebration.
How Odia Communities Celebrate Dussehra in America
For Odia Hindus living in the United States, Dussehra is a vital cultural anchor that brings together rituals, traditions, and community spirit. While the scale may be smaller than in India, the essence of the festival remains strong.
Community Gatherings and Cultural Events
Local temples and cultural centers often host Dussehra programs, where families gather to perform puja, offer prayers, and celebrate together. Odia associations and Hindu groups organize cultural programs featuring:
• Ramlila—dramatic reenactments of episodes from the Ramayana.
• Traditional dance forms like Garba and Dandiya, reflecting the wider Navratri spirit.
• Folk music and devotional songs, performed by both adults and children.
These gatherings also serve as social hubs, where the community showcases crafts, cuisine, and attire, fostering a sense of belonging and shared heritage.
Family-Centered Observances
Alongside public events, families mark the occasion within their homes:
• Cleaning and decoration of houses symbolizes the welcoming of divine blessings and renewal.
• Wearing new traditional attire—such as sarees, kurtas, and dhotis—adds to the festive joy.
• Festive foods and sweets, prepared and shared with loved ones, bring families together across generations.
Symbolism and Spiritual Reflection
Though celebrations in America may not include the large-scale burning of Ravana effigies, the spiritual message remains unchanged. Dussehra reminds the community of the eternal values of truth, courage, and justice. For the Odia diaspora, the festival also embodies the idea of cultural continuity—ensuring that younger generations learn the stories, rituals, and values that define their heritage.
The Broader Significance of Dussehra
At its heart, Dussehra is more than a festival—it is a moral compass. By recalling the victories of Rama and Durga, the celebration affirms that evil, no matter how powerful, will ultimately be overcome by truth and virtue. For Odia Hindus in America, Dussehra is also a reminder of resilience: the ability to uphold traditions even in distant lands, creating a bridge between homeland and diaspora.
As families gather in decorated homes, as children perform in Ramlila plays, and as communities share sweets and songs, the message of Dussehra shines brightly—evil is temporary, but goodness endures.
This year Dussehra will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2, 2025 . On this day, Odia Hindu women residing in USA, will also celebrate by tying the sacred Sudasha Brata thread with ten knots on their right arm, replacing it on the subsequent Brata. The thread is kept tied until the following year’s observance. They will also participate in the general festivities of Dussehra, which mark the triumph of good over evil and include special prayers, fairs, and the veneration of weapons and tools, aligning with the broader traditions of Vijaya Dashami.
Sudasha Brata Rituals , the most significant aspect of the Sudasha Brata is the sacred thread, which women tie on their right arm. The thread is specially prepared with ten knots, representing the ten days of the Navaratri festival that culminates on Dussehra.
The thread is worn until the next time observance of Sudasha Brata, at which point it is replaced.
Sudasa Brata is celebrated by married Odia women in the state of Odisha to honor Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings for the prosperity, well-being, and longevity of their families. The festival is observed when the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha), Thursday, and the tenth day of the month (Dashami) fall on the same day. During the celebration, women fast, tie a sacred thread with ten knots on their arm, and offer ten of everything to the Goddess, symbolizing good luck and devotion. The festival is exclusively observed by married women in Odisha. The primary reason is to pray for the good fortune, health, and happiness of their families. This is based upon Mahalaxmi Puran written by Balaram Dash. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, prosperity, and well-being.
Symbolic Meaning: “Sudasha” is derived from “su” (good) and “dasha” (luck), reflecting the wish for auspiciousness and good fortune. Sudasa Brata is observed on a specific date within the Oriya calendar, when three astrological conditions align.
Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) Thursday,
Dashami (the tenth day of the lunar fortnight) This time Sudusabrata will be celebrated on 2.10.25. Observant women fast for the entire day. They tie a sacred thread with ten knots, with each knot representing a different name of Goddess Lakshmi. Mostly sweet and cakes prepared in house, offered to the Goddess is in sets of ten, apart from sweet some other items such as ten varieties of flowers, ten seasonal fruits, and ten Manda Pithas (steamed cakes) are to be offered to Maa Mahalaxmi. Women also read the Mahalaxmi Puran including Sudasa Vrata Katha, a religious story related to the festival’s origin.
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