Dussehra 2018: Dussehra or Vijayadashmi - is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu month of Ashvin which falls in the Gregorian months of September or October. The day is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil. The word ‘Dussehra’ is derived from two Sanskrit words ‘dasha’ and ‘hara’ meaning ‘ten’ and ‘defeat’ respectively. While Vijayadashami is derived from two words, Vijaya (means victory) and Dashami (means tenth). The day marks Lord Ram's victory over Ravana. People worship Lord Rama for his blessings and traditionally burn huge effigies of Ravana to signify the end of the evil. They even light firecrackers to symbolize the destruction of evil. This year, it falls on 19th October 2018.

Dussehra 2018 date: This year Dussehra falls on October 18, 2018.

Dussehra 2018 history, significance and celebration:

• The special significance of the festival is that it is the celebration of good vs evil.
• The day is the celebration of Lord Ram's triumph over the vicious Ravana.
• According to the Ramayana, Ravana had kidnapped Sita and when Ram requested Ravana to release her, it led to a war.
• A fierce battle took place between Lord Ram and Ravana which resulted in Ram winning and Ravana losing.
• Dusshera is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India.
• In West Bengal, Durga Puja celebrations begin on Sashti or sixth day of Navratri and continue till Vijayadashmi - when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in water bodies.
• Dussehra marks the end of Durga Puja, where Goddess Durga defeats demon Mahishasur to help restore Dharma.
• The day also marks the victory of the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu i.e. Lord Rama when he killed demon Ravana and later handed over the throne of his kingdom Lanka to his brother Vibhishana.
• In Delhi, it is marked by burning huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad.
• Another significant part of Dussehra celebrations is Ram Lilas. Ram Lilas begin some days before Dussehra. People gather in huge numbers to witness plays, musicals and skits revolving around some of the most memorable episodes from Hindu epic Ramayana.
• Dussehra is amongst the auspicious festival, which is celebrated across India including cities in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh as well as Gujarat, Mewar region of Rajasthan.
• In Nepal, Dussehra followed the festival of Dashain.

Dussehra 2018 wishes

With festivals, there comes Whatsapp messages and SMS' which are sent across to your loved ones and close family friends. Take a look at the messages mentioned below to be sent on this Dussehra.

* A time for celebration,
A time for victory of good over bad,
A time when the world sees the example of the power of good.
Let us continue the same ‘True’ spirit.
Blessing of Dussehra!

* Lakshmi ka Hath ho,
Saraswati ka Sath ho,
Ganesh ka niwas ho,
aur maa durga ke ashirwad se aapake jeevan mai prakash hi prakash ho …. .
HAPPY Vijaya Dashami!

* D – Devil in
U – Your life by giving you
S – Splendid and
S – Sparkling
E – Energy which brings
H – Happiness,
R – Riches and
A – Abundance!
Happy Dussehra!

* Celebrate the victory of the forces of good over Evil.
Lets celebrate an auspicious day to begin new things in
life….HAPPY DUSSERA….!!

* Good wishes for a joyous Vijayadashmi! May Goddess Durga grant all your wishes and bless you with good health, success and happiness.

* May this Dussehra bring you loads of joy, success and prosperity, and may your worries burn away with the effigy of Ravana. Wishing you a year full of smiles and happiness.

* Dusshera signifies the victory of good over evil. May all the evils in and around you vanish by the virtue of the goodness in and around you.
Happy Dussehra!

* Vijaya dashami ka shubh absar
apke aur apke parivar ke jivan mein sukh,
samradhi aur shanti bharde.
Happy Dussehra!!

* May the Mother Goddess turn all your dreams into reality this Vijaya Dashami! Stay blessed.

Happy Dussehra 2018 to all ABP News viewers and readers!