Dushehra celebrates the victory of good over evil as depicted in Ramayan. According to the epic Ramayan, Lord Ram Chandra was the crown prince of Ayodhya who was banished to the forest for 14 years through trickery by his step-mother who wanted the throne for her own son Bharat. Ram's wife Seeta and brother Lakshman accompanied him on his exile. While living in the forest, Seeta was abducted by Ravan, the demon king of Lanka. Ram prayed to Goddes Durga also knwn as Shakti (power) before attacking Lanka to rescue Seeta. Ram and Lakshman lead an army of monkeys and other animals while Ravan had a well trained powerful army. A fierce battle ensued between the two armies for 10 days. Ravan had a boon that enabled him to grow back a head after it was cut off, so it was proving very difficult to beat the mighty Ravan. Finally Ram was able to kill Ravan by shooting an arrow at a vulnerable part of his body. The name Dushehra comes from the 10 heads of Ravan (dus =10, hara = stolen / conquered).  The scenes from the Ramayan are enacted in a folk art form called Ram Lila (Miracles of Ram). The whole story of Ram's life is acted out in 10 days. The tenth day marks the end of Ram Lila when the final act of this drama is staged. Huge effigies, sometimes almost 100 ft high, of Ravan, his son Meghnad and his brother Kumbhkaran are made many days in advance. They are stuffed with hay and fire crackers. At the appointed time, a person dressed as Ram, shoots flaming arrows at the effigies, which start to burn. Shouts of 'Jai Shri Ram’ or 'Hail Lord Ram' resound. People compete with each other to make bigger and better effigies and as they burn, the hidden fireworks begin.

This tenth day is better known as ‘Vijay Dashmi’ since ‘Vijay’ means victory and ‘Dashmi’ means the tenth. Dushehra is celebrated with a great deal of enthusiasm over a period of ten days and is an occasion of revelry for all. It is a time for new clothes, fun, dance, exhibitions and a good time. It is a time when people come together with their families and friends.

On Vijay Dashmi everyone celebrates the victory of Ram over Ravan, of good triumphing over evil.

In Tamil Nadu, Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts and Shakti (Durga) are also worshipped.

In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, families arrange dolls called Bommai Kolu giving it different forms on specially built steps. They decorate it with elaborate spread of lamps and flowers. People fast and pray.

In Kerala, books are kept at the place of worship for three days during which period children are not required to study.

Kulu, a small town in Himachal Pradesh, is witness to unique Dushehra celebrations. Since the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dushehra celebrations here begin three days after they do in the rest of India. This was so because the Maharaja expected all the kings under his tutelage to be present at Kulu for the celebration. The rulers with their retinues would leave their kingdoms immediately after the celebrations ended and speed to Kulu. Since it took them three days to reach, this practice was established and has continued. Instead of burning the effigies of the demons, five animals - a rooster, a fish, a lamb, a crab, and a buffalo are sacrificed here and a pile of wood is burnt seven days later to symbolize the victory of good over evil. Village deities from all around are brought to Kulu in palanquis for this celebration. The procession is led by musicians and Nati dancers. It is believed that many gods and goddesses reside in and around Kulu and they all come together during this annual reunion. A large fair is also organised on this occasion. This is a good opportunity for people to buy and stock their provisions for the harsh winter ahead, as most places become inaccessible due to snow within a month of the festival.

In Mysore, Dushehra is a royal celebration. It celebrates Durga's triumph over the demon Mahishasura. The demon is believed to come from the city of Mysore and therefore it is the most affected by this event. Celebrations to mark his death are observed on a grand scale. The venue is the Chamundi hill, at the temple of Durga who is also the family deity of the royal family. A regal procession of decorated elephants, courtiers and court symbols proceed to the temple, decorated splendidly for the festival. On reaching the temple, prayers are offered to the goddess.