Durga Puja / Vijayadashami
🗓️ Ashwin Shukla Dashami (Sep–Oct)
The story behind Durga Puja / Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, marking Maa Durga's victory over the shape-shifting asura Mahishasura, and remembered in the same breath as the day Bhagwan Rama killed Ravana. In West Bengal, Assam and Odisha the Devi is worshipped in pandals from Shashthi through Dashami, and the day closes with Sindoor Khela and the immersion of the murti. Across northern India it is kept as Dussehra, with Ramlila and the burning of Ravana's effigy. Both readings hold the same claim: adharma is not permanent, and its end is appointed.
Durga Puja / Vijayadashami Puja Vidhi
- 1
Devi Puja & Sankalpa
Complete the Navami puja, then take the Vijayadashami sankalpa at the aparahna, the muhurta held to be the moment of victory.
- 2
Aparajita Puja
Worship Devi Aparajita — the undefeated — with aparajita flowers, traditionally in the north-east, invoking success in what is undertaken from this day.
- 3
Ayudha & Vidya Puja
Place the tools of your work, vehicles, instruments or books before the Devi, clean and adorn them, and offer akshata and flowers.
- 4
Shami Puja & Visarjan
Offer worship at the shami tree and exchange its leaves as a token of goodwill; conclude with the immersion of the murti or with Ravana dahan at dusk.
Durga Puja / Vijayadashami Mantra
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Meaning
To that Devi who abides in all beings in the form of shakti — salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.
How to chant
Recite thrice during the Dashami puja; the full stotra of which this is a verse is from the Devi Mahatmya.