When is Dusshera in 2009? – 2009 Dusshera falls on 28th September 2009.

Dusshera is one of the fascinating and important festivals celebrated all over the India with great joy and enthusiasm. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina (September-October). Dusshera Date is on 28th September 2009.

Dusshera is celebrated throughout India and Nepal. The legends, rituals, celebrations and mode of conduct vary according to the region. The underlying principle, however, is to celebrate the victory of Good over the Evil. It is considered to be very auspicious day to begin new things in life.

The legend of Rama killing Ravana
According to the Ramayana, it was on this day Lord Rama killed ten headed demon king Ravana (Das=ten; hara=killed). It is said that Lord Rama performed chandi-puja (holy prayer) to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga for the killing of Ravana. Subsequently, Goddess Durga divulged the secret to Rama on how he could slay the great Ravana and Lord Rama killed accordingly. Hence upon vanquishing the demon Ravana, Lord Rama with Sita and younger brother Laxmana, returned victorious to their kingdom of Ayodhya on the day which is called ‘Diwali’.

People across northern India re-enact the legend at sundown in a performance called the Ramlila, featuring actors dressed as Rama shooting flaming arrows at effigies stuffed with firecrackers. They burn the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarana and his son Meghanath and celebrate the victory of Rama in a pompous way. They exchange gifts and sweets.

The Legend of Shami Puja:
There is another legend associated this festival cited in epic Mahabharata. Pandavas underwent a period of exile, being 12 years of dwelling in the forest followed by a year of exile incognito. Disguise being indispensable during incognito, the Pandavas found it necessary to lay aside their divine and distinctive weapons. They secreted their weapons near the vicinity of ‘Shami’ tree. At the end of a year, they returned to the spot and found their weaponry intact. They worshipped the tree showing gratitude and they also prayed to Goddess Durga for their victory in forthcoming battle with Kauravas.

The Pandavas emerged victorious and the day that all these events occurred on has since been known as “Vijayadashami”, where ‘Vijaya’ is the Sanskrit word for ‘Victory’. The fact of the comprehensive success of the Pandavas in their endeavour has been extrapolated to the everyday ventures of the common man today. Even to this day, people exchange Shami leaves and wish each other victory in their own ventures and efforts.