It is believed that Maa Durga had killed Mahishasura on the day of Dussehra after fighting with Mahishasur for nine consecutive days. Lord Rama killed Ravana on this day. It is celebrated as the victory of truth over falsehood.

That is why this Dashami is known as 'Vijayadashmi'. Dussehra = Dusshora = the tenth date and the date of defeating Dasanan (Ravana is also called Dashanan i.e. the one who has ten heads) hence Vijay Dashami is also called Dussehra. Dussehra is one of the three most auspicious dates of the year, the other two being the Pratipada of Chaitra Shukla and Kartik Shukla.

On this day people do weapon-worship and start new work (like beginning of letter writing, starting a new industry, sowing seeds etc.). It is believed that the work which is started on this day leads to victory. In ancient times, kings used to pray for victory on this day and go for battle. On this day, fairs are held at different places. Ramlila is organized. A huge effigy of Ravana is made and burnt. Dussehra or Vijayadashami is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama or as Durga Puja, in both the forms it is a festival of power-worship, the date of weapon worship. It is a festival of joy and gaiety and victory. Indian culture is a worshiper of bravery, a worshiper of bravery. The festival of Dussehra has been kept so that valor is manifested in the blood of the individual and the society. The festival of Dussehra gives the inspiration to renounce ten types of sins – lust, anger, greed, delusion, matsar, ego, laziness, violence and theft.

It is believed that one should leave at this time to win over the enemy. On this day the yoga of Shravan Nakshatra is considered even more auspicious. Even when there is no context of war, the kings (people in important positions) should violate the limit during this period. Duryodhana defeated the Pandavas in gambling and gave the condition of exile in the thirteenth year with twelve years of exile. If he had been detected in the thirteenth year, he would have to undergo another twelve years of exile. Arjuna had placed his bow on a Shami tree in this ignorance and himself took a job with King Virat in the guise of Brihannala. When Virat's son Dhrishtadyumna took Arjuna with him for cow protection, Arjuna had conquered the enemies by lifting his weapon from the Shami tree. On the day of Vijayadashami, the Shami tree proclaimed the victory of the Lord when Lord Ram Chandra Ji was leaving for his ascent to Lanka. That is why Shami worship is done during Vijayakal.

Dussehra marks the end of Ramlila, a brief version of the story of Rama, Sita and Lakshaman, and remembers god Rama's victory over Ravana. On Dasara, towering effigies of Ravana, Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada symbolising evil, are burnt with fireworks, marking evil's destruction. This festival is celebrated to remind us of the victory of Good over Evil. People of every province of the whole of India observe the festival of Dussehra according to their customs and traditions.