NEW DELHI: Dussehra is observed with immense cultural enthusiasm not only across India but also among diverse communities in several countries worldwide. While the festival in India is widely identified with the symbolic burning of giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad, international celebrations often center around traditional prayers, community rituals, and festive gatherings without the effigy-immolation custom.
In neighboring Nepal, the festival is observed on a grand national scale as Dashain, characterized by family reunions, the receiving of elders’ blessings, and the ceremonial application of ‘Tika and Jamara’ rather than the burning of effigies. Similarly, in nations such as Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Fiji, and Suriname, the diaspora gathers at community temples for dedicated devotional ceremonies, cultural pageants, and recitations underscoring the triumph of righteousness over injustice.
In Western nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, local safety, open-burning, and environmental guidelines lead organizers to favor cultural processions, exhibitions, and community banquets over open bonfires. These overseas observances underscore the rich legacy of the tradition, spreading a message of unity, fellowship, and cultural heritage across borders.