Dashami

Dashami is the Sanskrit word for "ten", and is the tenth day in the lunar fortnight (Paksha) of the Hindu calendar. Each month has two Dashami days, being the tenth day of the "bright" (Shukla) and of the "dark" (Krishna) fortnights respectively. Thus Dashami occurs on the tenth and the twenty-fifth day of each month.

Festivals

References

Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami (Sanskrit: विजयादशमी) also known as Dussehra (Sanskrit: दशहरा) or Ayudhapuja (Sanskrit: आयुधपूजा), is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated in various forms, across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh as well as parts of Pakistan. The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit. Dasha-hara literally means Dashanan ravan (the name of Ravan and in short Dasha and Hara (defeat)) referring to Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king, Ravana.

The day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The name Dussehra is also derived from Sanskrit Ahaha, which means day. For example, Aharnisha is derived from Ahaha+anisha. The Goddess fought with evils for nine nights and ten days. The name Vijayadashami is also derived from the Sanskrit words "Vijaya-dashami", literally meaning the victory on the dashami (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month). Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated twenty days after Dussehra.