It’s that time of year again! The air gets a little crisper, and the festive spirit begins to bubble up. This year, the grand festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, falls on Thursday, October 2, 2025. This day is so much more than just a holiday; it's a powerful reminder of the ultimate victory of good over evil, a theme that resonates with all of us.
Key Highlights
- ✓ The festival of Dussehra will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
- ✓ The auspicious time for Ravan Dahan is set between 6:06 PM and 7:11 PM in the evening.
- ✓ Shastra Pujan (weapon worship) muhurat is from 1:21 PM to 3:44 PM, lasting for 2 hours and 22 minutes.
- ✓ The day will feature two auspicious yogas: Sukarma Yoga until 11:29 PM, followed by Dhriti Yoga.
- ✓ The Dashami Tithi begins on October 1 at 7:01 PM and concludes on October 2 at 7:10 PM.
At its heart, Dussehra commemorates the epic story of Lord Shri Ram's triumph over the ten-headed demon king, Ravana. It’s a day that teaches us that truth and dharma will always prevail, no matter how daunting the odds. To mark this incredible victory, we follow the age-old tradition of burning massive effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran, and his son Meghnad. It’s a spectacle of fire and celebration, but getting the timing right is key to honoring the tradition properly. So, let’s get into the specifics for 2025!
The Main Event: Ravan Dahan Timings
The most anticipated part of the evening is, without a doubt, the Ravan Dahan. This is when we gather to watch the towering effigies go up in flames, symbolizing the destruction of evil. According to Hindu scriptures, this ritual is performed during a specific period known as Pradosh Kaal, which begins right after sunset. It’s believed to be the most powerful time for this symbolic act.
So, what’s the window for this year? Astrologer Narendra Upadhyay has shared the auspicious timings for the Ravan Dahan on October 2, 2025. The Shubh Muhurat, or the most favorable time, will begin at 6:06 PM in the evening and will last until 7:11 PM. This gives everyone a solid hour to perform the ritual and partake in the celebrations. It’s the perfect, spiritually charged moment to watch evil turn to ash and celebrate the light that follows.
Sacred Rituals and Worship Timings
While Ravan Dahan might be the grand finale, the day of Dussehra is filled with other incredibly significant rituals and pujas. It’s a day for worship and reflection, where we honor the divine forces that guide us towards righteousness. In Hindu tradition, this day is considered extremely auspicious for worshipping Maa Durga, Lord Shri Ram, and even the tools and weapons that help us in our lives.
Shastra Pujan: Honoring Our Tools
One of the key rituals is Shastra Pujan, or the worship of weapons. This tradition harks back to the times of kings and warriors who would worship their weapons before heading into battle. Today, it has evolved to include the tools of our trade—be it a laptop, a pen, a vehicle, or any instrument that helps us earn our livelihood. It’s a way of showing gratitude and seeking blessings for success in our endeavors.
For 2025, the auspicious time for Shastra Pujan is in the afternoon. The muhurat will start at 1:21 PM and continue until 3:44 PM on October 2nd. This gives us a generous window of 2 hours and 22 minutes to perform this meaningful puja. It's a beautiful way to connect with the day's victorious energy on a personal level.
Dussehra Pujan: Celebrating the Victory
In addition to weapon worship, there's also a specific time for general Dussehra Pujan. This is a time to offer prayers and reflect on the day's message. The muhurat for this puja is a bit shorter but just as powerful. It is scheduled to take place from 2:09 PM to 2:56 PM in the afternoon. This is the perfect moment to gather the family, offer prayers to Lord Ram and Maa Durga, and absorb the divine and positive vibrations of Vijayadashami.
An Auspicious Day Written in the Stars
It’s not just the rituals that make this day special; the cosmos aligns to make it incredibly potent. According to the Hindu Panchang, the Dashami Tithi (the tenth lunar day) is the period during which Dussehra is celebrated. This year, the Dashami Tithi actually begins on the evening of October 1, 2025, at 7:01 PM and will conclude the next day, October 2, at 7:10 PM, right after the Ravan Dahan muhurat ends.
What’s more, the day is blessed with two highly favorable yogas. First, we have the Sukarma Yoga, which will be active until 11:29 PM on October 2nd. This yoga is considered excellent for performing good deeds and starting new ventures. Right after it ends, the Dhriti Yoga will begin. Both of these are considered benevolent and auspicious in Vedic astrology, amplifying the positive energy of the day and making any righteous action taken even more fruitful.
For those who love the finer details of the Panchang, on this day, the Moon will be in Capricorn (Makar Rashi), while the Sun will be in Virgo (Kanya Rashi). The nakshatra will be Uttarashadha until 9:13 AM, after which the powerful Shravana Nakshatra will take over. The Abhijit Muhurat, another highly auspicious time of the day, is from 11:46 AM to 12:34 PM. However, do be mindful of Rahukal, which is from 1:39 PM to 3:08 PM, a period often avoided for starting new things.
The True Meaning: Beyond Burning Effigies
While the spectacle of Ravan Dahan is thrilling, the true spirit of Dussehra goes much deeper. The festival is a call to look within ourselves. It reminds us that the burning of an effigy isn't enough; we must also burn the bad thoughts, the injustice, and the negativity within our own hearts and minds. It’s a day for introspection and for making a commitment to walk on the path of dharma.
As many of the beautiful wishes for this day say, it's about making sure that goodness (Ram) resides in your mind, leaving no space for evil (Ravan) to lurk nearby. It's about remembering Lord Ram and finding the strength to fight every inner Ravana we face—be it anger, ego, greed, or injustice. The real victory is not just over an external demon, but over the demons we carry inside.
The festival is a celebration of the triumph of justice over injustice, and of good over evil. It teaches us that as long as a person walks on the path of Lord Ram, every form of terror and evil, like Ravana, will eventually be vanquished. It's a day to light the lamp of knowledge and spread the river of love, embracing everyone we meet along the way, promising a golden future for all.
Conclusion
So there you have it—your complete guide to celebrating Dussehra on October 2, 2025. From the powerful evening Ravan Dahan between 6:06 PM and 7:11 PM to the auspicious afternoon pujas, the day is packed with opportunities for spiritual reflection and celebration. The stars are aligned to make it a particularly blessed and positive day, thanks to the Sukarma and Dhriti yogas.
Ultimately, Vijayadashami is a vibrant reminder that no matter how powerful evil may seem, righteousness and truth will always emerge victorious. It’s a day to celebrate not just an ancient story, but the timeless principle that goodness prevails. Here’s wishing you a very happy and prosperous Dussehra, filled with joy, peace, and the triumph of light over darkness!
💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts! Join the charcha—keep it friendly, fun, and respectful.