Vijaya Dashami 2023: Arlington, Virginia

Vijayadashami (literally the tenth of victory) falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, immediately following the nine nights of Sharad Navaratri. It is simultaneously the celebration of Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana, the celebration of Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura, and the single most auspicious day of the Hindu year for beginning anything new. Two great victories, two great stories, one supreme moment of dharmic triumph.

In North India, Vijayadashami is known as Dussehra: literally the defeat (hara) of the ten-headed (das-sir) Ravana. Enormous effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are erected at open grounds across cities. As sunset approaches, Ram and his brothers arrive (usually played by local children or actors) in a procession, and Ram shoots a flaming arrow into Ravana's effigy: the Ravan Dahan. The effigy bursts into fire and explosions, symbolising the destruction of ego, pride, and the ten-headed demon who had ten vices. The largest Ravan Dahan in India is at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, where effigies stand 70 metres tall.

In Karnataka, Mysore Dasara, known as Nada Habba (State Festival), has been celebrated for over 400 years. For ten days the illuminated Mysore Palace draws hundreds of thousands of visitors. On Vijayadashami morning, a golden throne procession leaves the palace: a colourfully decorated elephant carries the goddess Chamundeshwari in a golden howdah, accompanied by caparisoned horses, decorated camels, folk performers, military bands, and thousands of marching soldiers. The procession is one of Asia's greatest ceremonial spectacles.