This page gives you a Dussehra essay 2026 in English — a 100-word short essay, a 200-word essay, a 500-word long essay and 10 lines on Dussehra (Vijayadashami) — for students of all classes. In 2026, Dussehra falls on Tuesday, 20 October, right after the nine days of Sharad Navratri (11–19 October). Use these essays as a guide to write your own essay on Dussehra for school homework, tests and competitions.
Dussehra 2026 Date
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Sharad Navratri | 11 – 19 October |
| Durga Ashtami | 18 / 19 October (as per local panchang) |
| Maha Navami | Monday, 19 October |
| Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | Tuesday, 20 October |
| Diwali | Sunday, 8 November |
Dussehra Essay in 100 Words (Short Essay)
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin, right after Navratri. In 2026, Dussehra falls on 20 October. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana and the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. In the days before Dussehra, Ramlila plays are performed in many towns. On the evening of Dussehra, huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are burnt amid cheers and fireworks. Dussehra teaches us that truth and goodness always win over evil.
Dussehra Essay in 200 Words
Dussehra is one of the most important festivals of India. It is also called Vijayadashami, which means “the tenth day of victory”. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwin, after the nine nights of Navratri. In 2026, Dussehra will be celebrated on Tuesday, 20 October.
The festival is linked with two famous stories. According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama killed Ravana on this day and rescued Sita. According to another legend, Goddess Durga fought the demon Mahishasura for nine days and defeated him on the tenth day. Both stories carry the same message — good always wins over evil.
In North India, Ramlila, a stage play on the life of Lord Rama, is performed for many days before Dussehra. On Dussehra evening, giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad are set on fire. In West Bengal, the day marks the immersion of Goddess Durga’s idols, while Mysuru in Karnataka holds a grand Dasara procession. Diwali is celebrated about twenty days after Dussehra.
Dussehra reminds us to burn the “Ravana” inside us — anger, pride, greed and jealousy — and to follow the path of truth.
Dussehra Essay in 500 Words (Long Essay)
Introduction
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a joyful Hindu festival celebrated all over India. It is observed on the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright half of the month of Ashwin, and it marks the end of the nine-day festival of Navratri. In 2026, Navratri is from 11 to 19 October and Dussehra falls on Tuesday, 20 October.
Stories Behind Dussehra
The most famous story of Dussehra comes from the Ramayana. Ravana, the king of Lanka, kidnapped Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Lord Rama, with the help of his brother Lakshmana, Hanuman and the army of vanaras, fought a long battle with Ravana and finally killed him on the tenth day. This victory is celebrated as Dussehra. Another legend says that the powerful demon Mahishasura troubled the gods, and Goddess Durga fought him for nine days and nights and killed him on the tenth day. That is why the nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, and the tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
How Dussehra is Celebrated in India
Dussehra is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. In North India, Ramlila is performed for several nights, and on Dussehra evening huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad, filled with crackers, are burnt in open grounds. In West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, the day is Bijoya Dashami, when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers and women play sindoor khela. The Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka is famous for its grand procession of decorated elephants, and the Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh begins on Vijayadashami and goes on for a week. In South India, many people perform Ayudha Puja and worship their books, tools and vehicles, and young children begin their education with Vidyarambham.
Message of Dussehra
Dussehra teaches us that no matter how powerful evil may be, truth and goodness always win in the end. Ravana was a learned and strong king, but his pride and wrong deeds led to his fall. The burning of Ravana’s effigy reminds us to destroy the evils inside us, such as anger, ego, greed, jealousy and laziness. The festival also brings people together, as families and neighbours gather to watch Ramlila and celebrate.
Conclusion
Dussehra is a festival of victory, faith and togetherness. It also marks the start of the festive season, with Diwali following about three weeks later. Let us celebrate Dussehra 2026 by following the path of truth and goodness shown by Lord Rama and Goddess Durga.
10 Lines on Dussehra in English
- Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami.
- It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Ashwin.
- In 2026, Dussehra falls on Tuesday, 20 October.
- Dussehra comes right after the nine days of Navratri.
- It celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana.
- It also marks Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura.
- Ramlila is performed in many towns before Dussehra.
- Effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are burnt on Dussehra evening.
- The Mysuru Dasara and Kullu Dussehra are world famous.
- Dussehra teaches us that good always wins over evil.
दशहरा पर निबंध (Dussehra Essay in Hindi)
Dussehra Essay – FAQs
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) will be celebrated on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, after Sharad Navratri from 11 to 19 October 2026.
Why is Dussehra called Vijayadashami?
Vijayadashami means “the tenth day of victory”. It is celebrated on the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright half of Ashwin, the day Lord Rama defeated Ravana and Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura.
Whose effigies are burnt on Dussehra?
Effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad are burnt on the evening of Dussehra, as a symbol of the victory of good over evil.
How many days after Dussehra is Diwali?
Diwali comes about 19–20 days after Dussehra. In 2026, Dussehra is on 20 October and Diwali is on 8 November.
