Dussehra which is also known as Vijayadashami is a Hindu festival, celebrated after the 9 days festival of Navratri. According to the Hindu calendar month, it is celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin. This year Dussehra falls on October 18, 2018. The special significance of the festival is that it is the celebration of good vs evil, i.e. 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.
As we all know, the end of Navratri marks the beginning of Dussehra, for this festival is marked as the triumph of good over evil and on this day, people remember Lora Ram’s victory over Ravana. Today, on the occasion of Dussehra, people celebrate the festival by burning effigies of Ravana and lightning firecrackers to mark the victory of good (Ram) over evil (Ravana).
Vijayadashami is derived from two words, Vijaya (means victory) and Dashami (means tenth). Dussehra is amongst the auspicious festival, which is celebrated across India.