On the final day of the Navratri festival - the 10th day as per the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. It falls in either of the months of September or October as per the Gregorian calendar.
Also known as Vijayadashamii the festival gets its name from the Sanskrit words - Dasha (10) and Hara (defeat). It marks the victory of Lord Ram (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) over Ravan, the 10-headed demon king, who had abducted Lord Ram's wife Goddess Sita.
Though there are various ways to celebrate this festival, the major event for which people wait with bated breath is the Ram Lila, Featuring the dramatic enactment of the story of Lord Ram through plays and dances, it is celebrated with great pomp and show. Once the legendary war between good and evil (symbolised by Ram and Ravan) is enacted, the event reaches its climax with the 'Ravan Dahan' or the practice of burning the effigy of Ravan.
Dussehra epitomises the triumph of good over evil and Delhi happens to be the best place to witness this grand festival. With Ram Lila shows organised all over the city, people in the capital find endless options to experience the splendour of Dussehra. Younger crowds are seen flocking to the performances of the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee, who use props and special effects in their shows, Then there are venues like the Ramlila Maidan, where everyone from common men to eminent personalities gather to observe the occasion. With stunning fireworks and one of the largest Ravan effigies in the city, the celebrations here make for an amazing Dussehra experience.