Vijayadashami (Dussehra) Pooja

ॐ अपराजितायै नमः

The victory of dharma over adharma: the Vijay muhurat of this year, samagri, the Aparajita, Shami and shastra pooja vidhi, the katha and the evening Ravan dahan.

Before you begin

Vijayadashami falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, the day after Maha Navami. The pooja is done in the Aparahna kaal (the afternoon) when Dashami prevails; the exact times for this year are in the Muhurat tab.
Bathe in the morning, wear clean clothes, and clean the house. Clean and gather your tools of work, vehicle and books beforehand so they can be worshipped.
Set the chowki facing east or north. Keep Devi's picture in the middle; to the north-east of the house, a clean place for the Aparajita pooja.
Those who kept Navratri vrat complete it with this pooja and with Kanya Pujan if it was not done on Ashtami or Navami.

Pooja vidhi, step by step

1Achaman and sankalp
Sit on the aasan, take three sips of water (achaman), and make your sankalp with water in the right hand: your name, the place, the date (Ashwin Shukla Dashami) and that you are doing the Vijayadashami pooja for victory, peace and well-being of the family.
Mantra
ॐ केशवाय नमः। ॐ नारायणाय नमः। ॐ माधवाय नमः।
2Ganesh smaran
Begin by remembering Ganesh ji with a flower and akshat.
Mantra
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
3Aparajita Devi pooja
In the north-east, draw an eight-petal lotus with roli or rice flour and place Aparajita (and Jaya and Vijaya on either side). If you cannot draw it, a picture of Devi or a kalash is enough.
Offer roli, akshat, flowers, a garland, incense, the diya, naivedya and paan, saying the name mantras. Then pray as below.
Mantra
ॐ अपराजितायै नमः। ॐ जयायै नमः। ॐ विजयायै नमः।
हारेण तु विचित्रेण भास्वत्कनकमेखला।
अपराजिता भद्ररता करोतु विजयं मम॥
4Shastra and tools pooja
Place the cleaned tools, books, instruments or vehicle keys in front of Devi. Apply haldi-kumkum, tie a little mauli, offer a flower, and bow with the thought that these tools are given to you by Devi to do right work.
Where weapons are worshipped as a family custom, do it with care, keeping them in a safe, legal way.
5Shami pooja
Go to a Shami tree (or use the leaves or the picture at home). Offer water, roli, akshat, a flower and a lamp, walk around it, and pray. In many places, a few leaves are brought home and kept with the valuables.
Mantra
शमी शमयते पापं शमी लोहितकण्टका।
धारिण्यर्जुनबाणानां रामस्य प्रियवादिनी॥
करिष्यमाणयात्रायां यथाकालं सुखं मया।
तत्र निर्विघ्नकर्त्री त्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिते॥
6Maa Durga pooja and the stuti
Offer the ghee diya, incense and naivedya to Maa Durga. Chant the Durga mantra, recite the 108 names, Durga Chalisa or a short stuti with the mala, as you can.
Mantra
ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
7Aarti, kshama and prasad
Do the aarti (see the Aarti tab), ask forgiveness for any mistake, and distribute the prasad. Take the blessings of elders and share paan or sweets with friends and neighbours.
Mantra
अपराधसहस्राणि क्रियन्तेऽहर्निशं मया।
दासोऽयमिति मां मत्वा क्षमस्व परमेश्वरि॥
8Evening: Ravan dahan, if you take part
Ravan dahan is done after sunset in the evening (pradosh) at public grounds. Go with family, keep a safe distance from the fire and watch for the crowd. Some people take a little of the ash or a piece of the effigy as a symbol of victory of good, according to local custom.

Good to know

Abujh muhurat: Vijayadashami is counted among the "three and a half" self-auspicious muhurats of the year, so many people begin new work today: a shop, a vehicle, a business, studies (Vidyarambh) or a new account. This is a tradition of belief, not a rule.

Nilkanth darshan: Seeing the Nilkanth (Indian roller) bird on this day is considered a good omen in many regions.

Sona patta: In Maharashtra and nearby, the Aapta leaves are exchanged with elders and friends as "sona", with the wish for prosperity.

Different customs: In Bengal Durga is bid farewell (visarjan) with sindoor khela; in the south it is Ayudha pooja and Vidyarambh; in the north it is Ram Leela and Ravan dahan; in Mysuru there is the royal procession. Follow the practice of your family and region.

The mantras are the traditional ones from pooja books. Please check once against your own pustak, and follow your family custom.

How to do the aarti

Prepare the aarti thali: a ghee diya (or camphor), roli, akshat, flowers and a small bell.
Stand before Maa. Ring the bell with the left hand and move the thali clockwise with the right while singing the aarti.
A common way: four times at Maa's feet, twice at the navel, once at the face, then seven times over the whole form.
After the aarti, sprinkle a little water around the thali, then show it to everyone present, who take the aarti with both hands over the flame and touch their eyes and head.

Aarti — जय अम्बे गौरी

जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी।
तुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥

मांग सिंदूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को।
उज्ज्वल से दोउ नैना, चन्द्रवदन नीको॥

कनक समान कलेवर, रक्ताम्बर राजै।
रक्तपुष्प गल माला, कंठन पर साजै॥

केहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग कृपाण धारी।
सुर-नर-मुनिजन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी॥

कानन कुण्डल शोभित, नासाग्रे मोती।
कोटिक चन्द्र दिवाकर, राजत सम ज्योति॥

शुम्भ निशुम्भ बिदारे, महिषासुर घाती।
धूम्र विलोचन नैना, निशदिन मदमाती॥

चण्ड मुण्ड संहारे, शोणित बीज हरे।
मधु कैटभ दोउ मारे, सुर भयहीन करे॥

ब्रह्माणी रुद्राणी, तुम कमला रानी।
आगम निगम बखानी, तुम शिव पटरानी॥

चौंसठ योगिनी मंगल, गावत नृत्य करत।
भैरव तुम अंग राखत, तव आज्ञा करत॥

तुम ही जग की माता, तुम ही हो भरतारी।
भक्तन की दुख हरता, सुख संपत्ति कारी॥

भुजा चार अति शोभित, वर मुद्रा धारी।
मनवांछित फल पावत, सेवत नर नारी॥

कंचन थाल विराजत, अगर कपूर बाती।
श्री मालकेतु में राजत, कोटि रतन ज्योति॥

श्री अम्बे जी की आरती, जो कोई नर गावे।
कहत शिवानन्द स्वामी, सुख संपत्ति पावे॥

Vijayadashami muhurat

How the muhurat is found

Vijayadashami is kept on the day when Dashami prevails in the Aparahna kaal (the fourth of the five parts of the daytime). The Vijay muhurat is the 11th of the 15 muhurtas of the daytime. Times are for New Delhi; for other cities they differ by a few minutes to about half an hour, so check a local panchang.

Why Vijayadashami is celebrated

Four stories are told about this day; each region remembers one or more of them.

Shri Ram and Ravan

After the long war for Sita ji, Shri Ram defeated Ravan on this day. In many traditions Shri Ram worshipped Maa Durga before the final battle and received her blessing. This is why the day is celebrated as the victory of dharma over adharma, with Ram Leela and the burning of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad.

Maa Durga and Mahishasur

After nine days of battle, Maa Durga slew Mahishasur, so this day is also called Vijaya Dashami: the victory of Shakti over arrogance and evil. This is the culmination of Navratri.

The Pandavas and the Shami tree

The Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their year in disguise (agyatavas) and took them back on Vijayadashami before the Kurukshetra war. This is why the Shami tree and the weapons are worshipped on this day.

Kautsa, Raghu and the Aapta leaves

In a regional story, the young Kautsa needed gold to pay his guru's fee and went to King Raghu. Kubera then showered gold coins on the Shami and Aapta trees, and the leaves came to be given as "sona" (gold) on this day.

Pooja samagri list

Practice varies by region and family. Do what your own tradition and pandit ji advise; items you do not use can be skipped.

Common questions

When is Vijayadashami?

Vijayadashami falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, after Navratri. In 2026 it is on Tuesday, 20 October. This year's Vijay muhurat and Aparahna kaal are in the Muhurat tab of this page.

What is the Vijay muhurat?

When the daytime is divided into 15 equal muhurtas, the 11th is called the Vijay muhurat. It falls within the Aparahna kaal and is considered the best time for the Vijayadashami pooja, Shami pooja and starting new work.

When should the pooja be done, morning or afternoon?

By tradition the Vijayadashami pooja is done in the Aparahna kaal (afternoon), when Dashami prevails. The morning can be used for Durga pooja or havan, but the Shami, Aparajita and shastra poojas are best done in the afternoon.

What is the time for Ravan dahan?

Ravan dahan is done after sunset in the pradosh kaal. It is fixed by the organisers, so please check the time with your city's Ram Leela committee.

Why is the Shami tree worshipped?

The Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree and took them back from it on Vijayadashami before their victory. Shri Ram is also believed to have worshipped the Shami. So the tree is worshipped on this day for victory and for the calming of sins.

What if there is no Shami tree nearby?

You can use a picture of the Shami or a potted plant. In Maharashtra and nearby, Aapta leaves are used instead. Devotion matters most.

Is it auspicious to start new work or buy things on Vijayadashami?

Yes, it is counted among the "three and a half" self-auspicious muhurats of the year, so starting a vehicle, shop, business or studies is considered auspicious. It is a tradition of belief; no separate muhurat needs to be looked up.