Three traditions mark Dussehra: Shami tree worship, Shastra Puja, and Ravana Dahan. For the date and Vijay Muhurat timing, see the Dussehra muhurat article.

Of the major Hindu festivals, Dussehra is one that carries real regional variety. In the north, it’s all about Ravana Dahan. In the west, it’s the culmination of nine nights of Garba. In Bengal, it’s Dashami, the final day of Durga Puja and the immersion of the Ma Durga idol. What ties them together is the theme: the triumph of good over evil, and the crossing of boundaries, literally “crossing the tenth” (Dasha-hara).

Puja samagri

  • Shami tree leaves (Ashoka leaves as a substitute where Shami isn’t available)
  • Weapons, vehicles, or work tools at home for Shastra Puja
  • Roli, akshat, flowers, diya
  • A small piece of gold or a gold-coloured item to offer at the Shami tree (optional but traditional)

Puja steps

  1. In the morning, worship your weapons, vehicle, or work tools with roli and akshat. This is the Shastra Puja. If you’re wondering what counts as a “weapon” in 2026, think of it broadly: your laptop, your kitchen knives, your car, the tools you use to earn a living. The principle is showing respect to the instruments that sustain your household.
  2. During Aparahna Kaal (the afternoon window, roughly 1:00 to 3:30 PM depending on your city’s sunset), visit a Shami tree, worship it, and pluck a few leaves. The Shami tree holds a special place in the Mahabharata. The Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their year of disguise, and retrieved them on Vijayadashami before the war.
  3. Gift the Shami leaves to family and friends as symbolic “gold”, exchanging Vijayadashami greetings. In Maharashtra, this tradition is called “sone” (gold) exchange, and even a single Apta leaf passed hand to hand is treated as a gift of prosperity.
  4. In the evening, watch the burning of the Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad effigies at the local Ravana Dahan ground.

Celebrating abroad

If you’re in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, you probably won’t find a Shami tree in your neighbourhood. Ashoka leaves or any locally available broad-leaf plant can stand in. For Ravana Dahan, most large Indian diaspora communities organize an event at a park or community centre, check with your local Hindu temple or cultural association. Some families do a small symbolic Ravana Dahan at home with a paper effigy instead.

The Shastra Puja, though, needs no adaptation at all. It works exactly the same in a flat in Berlin as in a house in Jaipur. Place roli and akshat on your work tools, your car keys, your children’s books, and offer a short prayer. That’s the whole thing.

The Neelkanth bird tradition

Spotting a Neelkanth (Indian roller) bird on this day is considered auspicious, seen as a form of Lord Shiva. The bird’s blue throat mirrors Shiva’s Neelkanth form, and sighting one is said to bring a special blessing on Dussehra. If you’re in India during the festival, keep an eye out near open fields in the late afternoon.

Timing it right

The most auspicious window for Shami Puja and the leaf exchange is during the Vijay Muhurat, the specific period on Dussehra afternoon considered ideal for beginning something new. Check the muhurat page with your city selected to see the exact Vijay Muhurat window for your location.