10 Surprising Facts About Dusshera You Didn’t Know

As soon as we surpass the month of August, we know it’s the most awaited time of the year! The festive season, the enthusiasm that begins from Independence reaches its peak until Diwali. But before the festival of lights, we embrace the aura of Navratri (9 days of worshipping Goddess Durga), followed by the grand celebration of Dusshera.

We’ve all grown up listening to the mythological tale of good triumphing over evil—Lord Rama slaying the mighty Ravana. But have you ever wondered what more there is to Dusshera beyond the Ramayana story? Beyond the fireworks, festive food, and spreading good vibes? Well, that’s exactly what I asked myself while drafting this blog. And trust me, the answers I found were as exciting as they were surprising!

Every festival in India carries countless layers of myths, traditions, and legends. Some are fascinating, some even spine-chilling—but all of them connect us to our roots in ways we often overlook. And Dusshera is no different.

So, Musafirs, let’s dive into 10 fascinating facts about Dusshera that will make you go, “Why didn’t I know this earlier?”

1. Not Just Rama vs. Ravana

We all associate Dusshera with Lord Rama’s victory, but the festival doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. In Bengal and Assam, it marks Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura, while in Himachal’s Kullu Valley, it’s celebrated as a week-long international fair where idols of local deities are paraded to honor Lord Raghunath. In Nepal, it’s called Dashain and stretches across 15 days, where animal sacrifices still symbolize the goddess’s victory. What’s fascinating is how the same day is stitched into multiple narratives. Each one rooted in local folklore. So when you celebrate Dusshera, remember, you’re not just reliving one legend, but countless parallel ones.

2. Varanasi’s Ramlila: Where the City Becomes a Stage

In most places, Ramlila is a stage performance. But in Varanasi, the city itself becomes one giant open-air theatre for 31 days. Streets turn into Ayodhya, ghats into Lanka, and local people step into roles passed down for generations. UNESCO has even recognized it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. What’s thrilling is the immersive feel—you’re not just an audience member, you’re part of the epic itself. If mythology ever felt distant, Varanasi brings it alive like no other, making Dusshera here an experience etched into your memory forever.

3. Mysore’s Golden Dusshera Legacy

Mysore celebrates Dusshera with royal grandeur that dates back over 400 years. The centerpiece is a golden howdah carrying Goddess Chamundeshwari atop a decorated elephant, leading a royal procession. The Mysore Palace glows with nearly 100,000 lights, transforming the city into a fairytale. But what most don’t know is the cultural inclusivity, from wrestling matches to classical dance recitals, the festival here bridges tradition with art. It’s not just a festival; it’s Karnataka’s pride on global display. No wonder thousands of international tourists flock here every October to witness history walking in front of them.

4. Farmers’ Festival Beyond the Myths

For rural India, Dusshera is more than mythology—it’s also an agricultural milestone. Traditionally, farmers worship their ploughs, tools, and cattle, treating them as sacred companions of livelihood. In some regions, sowing of new seeds begins right after Dusshera, symbolizing hope for a fresh harvest. The festival becomes less about war epics and more about thanking the earth. Interestingly, many villages hold small fairs where bull races, cattle decorations, and community feasts take center stage. It’s a reminder that while we city dwellers see Ravana in effigies, for farmers, Ravana often symbolizes drought, pests, and natural challenges that must be defeated.

5. The Shami Tree and the Mahabharata Connection

Ever exchanged shiny “gold leaves” (Shami leaves) in Maharashtra? This tradition stems from the Mahabharata. The Pandavas, during their exile, hid their weapons in a Shami tree and retrieved them on Dusshera to fight the Kauravas. Since then, the Shami has been revered as a tree of victory and protection. Exchanging its leaves became a way of wishing prosperity and strength to loved ones. In some places, people even worship their vehicles or tools under the Shami tree. So next time someone gives you a leaf on Dusshera, remember you’re holding a symbol of resilience and triumph, not just a piece of green.

6. Dusshera Once Marked the Start of War Campaigns

In ancient India, Dusshera wasn’t only a festival, it was the chosen day for kings to begin their military expeditions. Scriptures mention that warriors would worship their weapons, elephants, and horses before setting out for battle. The belief was simple: starting a war on this day would ensure divine protection and victory. Historians say that even the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji followed this ritual, calling it Seemollanghan (crossing borders). So, while today we buy cars or gold, centuries ago, armies were marching into new territories under the blessings of Goddess Durga and Lord Rama.

7. The Hidden Ritual of Burning Barley Seeds

In some North Indian villages, families sprout barley seeds in earthen pots during Navratri and burn them on Dusshera along with Ravana’s effigy. This ritual, almost unknown outside rural belts, is symbolic of burning negativity from the household. The ashes are considered sacred and sprinkled in fields to ensure a prosperous harvest. What’s striking is how this blends mythology with ecology. Dusshera becomes not just about gods and demons but also about honoring the soil. It’s a reminder that for our ancestors, festivals were deeply tied to nature and sustenance.

8. The Kullu Dusshera Has No Ravana Burning

Here’s a surprise: in Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Ravana is never burnt. Instead, the festival celebrates Lord Raghunath as the supreme deity, and more than 200 village gods and goddesses are carried to Kullu Valley in a massive procession. The real highlight? The fair continues for a week after Dusshera when the rest of India has wrapped up celebrations. Locals believe this tradition started in the 17th century when Raja Jagat Singh brought the idol of Lord Raghunath to Kullu. So if you thought Ravana’s effigy burning was universal, think again. Kullu gives Dusshera an entirely different face.

9. The Secret of the 52 Shakti Peethas and Dusshera

Dusshera is deeply connected to Goddess worship, but here’s a rare link: many scholars say the timing of the festival coincides with the energy cycle of the 52 Shakti Peethas spread across India. Pilgrims who visit these shrines during Navratri believe that the goddess’s power peaks on Dusshera, blessing them with courage and prosperity. This isn’t something you’ll see in everyday celebrations but rather hidden in tantric traditions. For spiritual seekers, Dusshera isn’t just a story of Rama or Durga, but a cosmic event tied to divine feminine energy. It’s the side of the festival that often remains whispered rather than spoken.

10. The Tale of Ravana’s Brother Worshipped on Dusshera

Here’s something almost never talked about: in parts of South India, especially Karnataka, Ravana’s brother Meghnad (Indrajit) is remembered with respect during Dusshera. Locals believe Meghnad was a brave warrior who performed intense penance for Lord Shiva. Unlike Ravana, he’s seen as noble yet tragic—a hero who stood by his kingdom but met an untimely end. Some folk performances even narrate his story, placing him as the unsung character of the Ramayana. It’s a rare reminder that not all of Ravana’s kin were villains.

From tribal chariot pulls in Bastar to golden leaves in Rajasthan, from Lanka’s respect for Ravana to the cosmic energy of Shakti Peethas. Dusshera is not just a single story but a kaleidoscope of unheard traditions. The next time you watch Ravana’s effigy burn, remember somewhere else, someone might be lighting a lamp for him, pulling a sacred chariot, or thanking their plough. That’s the beauty of Indian festivals endless stories, endless surprises.

Happy Sundaying!