Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi will be celebrated on the 19th of October this year. Vijay refers to victory and Dashami refers to tenth. This popular Hindu festival, celebrated at the end of Navratri each year. It signifies the victory of good over evil. The word Dussehra is derived from the Sanskrit words "dasha" and "hara" which mean "ten" and "defeat" respectively.

                                       

Dussehra is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In West Bengal, Durga Puja celebrations begin on Sashti or sixth day of Navratri and continue till Vijayadashmi - when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in water bodies. It is believed that Durga led a nine days and nine nights battle against the demon Mahishasur and killed him on the tenth day. Therefore, the different manifestations of goddess Durga are worshipped during the nine-day long Navratri festival each year and the tenth day is dedicated to Durga as Vijaydashmi. 

In north India, Dussehra celebrations include burning huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad. This is done in order to signify Lord Rama's victory and also the victory of good over evil.