Garba at Times Square, Vijayadashami celebrated across the world
A video of a group performing garba at New York's Times Square has gone viral, as Indian communities abroad mark Dussehra with prayers, dance and effigy burnings.
Images are not validated/verified
Indian festivals are no longer confined to the country's borders. They are celebrated with great enthusiasm in many countries. The history of Indian civilisation, culture and traditions goes back hundreds of years, and Indians settled abroad make special efforts to preserve their cultural traditions.
A video of a group performing garba at the famous Times Square in New York, in the United States, recently went viral. Foreign nationals were seen dancing to the beat of garba along with Indians.
After Navratri, Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, is now celebrated in India and in many other countries. In countries with large Indian, Hindu and Nepali communities, the festival has special significance. The message of the victory of good over evil, truth over falsehood and justice over injustice is the hallmark of Dussehra. The festival is linked to Lord Ram's victory over Ravana and, in some traditions, to the slaying of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga.
In the United States, the Indian-American community celebrates Dussehra and Navratri with great enthusiasm. Various cultural programmes are held in states such as Illinois, California, New Jersey, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, Florida and Washington. These include traditional puja, garba-dandiya, music, dance, Ramlila and community fairs. In some places, an effigy of Ravana is also burnt. Through these events, the Indian community introduces the next generation to Indian culture and traditions.
In Nepal, Dussehra is called Bada Dashain and is counted among the country's major festivals. Goddess Durga is worshipped during this period. Elders of the family apply tika on the foreheads of younger members and bless them with jamara, or barley shoots. The Dashain festival generally lasts 15 days in Nepal. Families gather to celebrate together. Public holidays, religious rituals and family visits create a festive atmosphere across the country.
For the Hindu community in Bangladesh, Durga Puja is an important festival both religiously and culturally. Decorated pandals are set up, idols of Goddess Durga are installed and many religious programmes are held. On Vijayadashami, idols are immersed in many places.
This year, Vijayadashami falls today, Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The Dashami tithi begins at 8:20 am on October 20 and lasts until 9:41 am on October 21.
Is the festival celebrated only in India? The answer is no. Dussehra is celebrated wherever Hindus live. On Ravana effigy burnings abroad, it is said that in the United States, effigies of Ravana 20 to 30 feet tall are burnt in large open grounds with the permission of the fire department. The burning effigy is seen as a symbol of burning ego and bad thoughts.
