Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Navaratri, on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, the seventh in the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar. The festival typically falls in the Gregorian calendar months of September and October. Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durgas victory against the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. In the northern, central, and western states, it marks the end of Ramlila and commemorates god Ramas victory over the demon king Ravana.

The festival also starts the preparations for Diwali, the important festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami. The term Vijayadashami is a compound of the two words vijaya (victory) and daśamī (tenth), connoting the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated in a variety of ways in South India, ranging from worshipping Durga to lighting up temples.

According to Sadhguru, Vijayadashami is the day of victory, which comes after the nine nights of Navratri. The last three days of Navratri are dedicated to Saraswati, which is sattva, related to knowledge and enlightenment. After Navratri, the tenth and final day is Vijayadashami, which means you have conquered all three qualities: tamas, rajas, and sattva. You did not give into any of them, you saw through every one of them. You participated in every one of them, but you did not invest in any one of them. You won over them. That is Vijayadashami, the day of victory.

In summary, Vijayadashami is a Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri, which marks the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent and starts the preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights.