Dussehra 2023: Date, Time, Muhurat, Rituals and Significance of the Festival

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most important Hindu festivals that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It marks the end of the nine-day festival of Navratri and the beginning of Diwali preparations. Here are some details about the date, time, muhurat, rituals and significance of Dussehra 2023.

When is Dussehra 2023?

Dussehra falls on the 10th day of the month of Ashvina, which corresponds to September-October in the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, Dussehra will be celebrated on 24 October, Tuesday. The Dashami tithi will begin at 05.44 PM on 23 October, Monday, and it will end at 03.14 PM on October 24, Tuesday.

What is the Muhurat for Dussehra 2023?

The auspicious time for performing rituals and ceremonies on Dussehra is called the Vijay Muhurat. It is believed that any work done during this time will be successful and fruitful. The Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2023 begins at 01:58 PM on 23 October and ends at 2:43 PM on the same day. The duration of the Vijay Muhurat is 45 minutes.

Another important time for Dussehra rituals is the Aparahna time, which is the afternoon period according to the Hindu division of the day. The Aparahna pooja on Tuesday can be performed between 1:13 PM and 3:28 PM. The duration is 2 hours 15 minutes.

What are the Rituals of Dussehra 2023?

Dussehra involves various rituals and customs that vary from region to region. Some of the common rituals are:

• Shami Puja: Shami is a sacred tree that is associated with Lord Rama and his victory over Ravana. It is believed that Lord Rama hid his weapons under a Shami tree before going to Lanka and retrieved them after killing Ravana. On Dussehra, people worship the Shami tree and exchange its leaves as a symbol of goodwill and prosperity.
• Aparajita Puja: Aparajita means unconquerable and it refers to Goddess Durga who defeated Mahishasura and his army on this day. Aparajita Puja is performed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga and seek her protection from evil forces.
• Seema Avalanghan: Seema Avalanghan means crossing the border and it signifies the crossing of Lord Rama from Lanka to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On Dussehra, people cross a symbolic border made of grass or bamboo and celebrate their victory over their enemies and obstacles.
• Ravana Dahan: Ravana Dahan means burning of Ravana and it is one of the most popular rituals of Dussehra. It involves setting fire to the effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnad, and his brother Kumbhakaran. This ritual symbolizes the destruction of evil and the triumph of good.
• Durga Visarjan: Durga Visarjan means immersion of Goddess Durga idols in water. It marks the end of Durga Puja and Navratri celebrations. It is believed that Goddess Durga returns to her abode after blessing her devotees on this day.

What is the Significance of Dussehra 2023?

Dussehra has a deep spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus. It commemorates two major events from Hindu mythology:

• Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana: This event represents the victory of righteousness over wickedness, truth over falsehood, and dharma over adharma. It teaches us to follow the path of virtue and morality and to fight against injustice and oppression.
• Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura: This event represents the victory of power over weakness, courage over fear, and wisdom over ignorance. It teaches us to invoke our inner strength and intelligence and to overcome our challenges and difficulties.

Dussehra also signifies the onset of a new season and a new beginning. It inspires us to remove our negative qualities and habits and to cultivate positive ones. It also encourages us to celebrate our achievements and successes with joy and gratitude.