Ramacandra Vijayotsava
Appearance Day of Sri Madhvacarya
Festival
All day
What is Ramacandra Vijayotsava?
Ramacandra Vijayotsava celebrates the day Lord Ramacandra defeated Ravana at Lanka and freed Mother Sita. Most people know it as Dussehra. In 2027 it falls on Sunday, 10 October, when devotees also celebrate the appearance of Sri Madhvacarya.
Significance
The Srimad-Bhagavatam tells the story briefly in the Ninth Canto, chapter 10. Lord Ramacandra left His kingdom for the forest with Mother Sita and Lord Lakshmana. He made friends with Hanuman and Sugriva and crossed the ocean to Lanka by a bridge. Vibhishana, a devotee of the Lord, came over to His side and was later given the rule of Lanka.
The account shows that the Lord always rewards surrender, and that those who serve Him, as Hanuman did, need fear no enemy. Sukadeva Gosvami speaks of these pastimes to Maharaja Pariksit:
O King Parīkṣit, the transcendental activities of Lord Rāmacandra have been described by great saintly persons who have seen the truth.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.10.3
How to observe it
Honour the day by hearing about Lord Ramacandra from the Srimad-Bhagavatam or the Ramayana, and by remembering how Hanuman served Him. Devotees chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, in which the name Rama appears four times, and pray to be as steady in surrender as the Lord's own servants.
Read more: Dussehra: Date, History, Significance & Celebrations
Questions
When is Dussehra (Ramacandra Vijayotsava) in 2027?
Dussehra, or Ramacandra Vijayotsava, falls on Sunday, 10 October 2027. The same day is the appearance day of Sri Madhvacarya.
Who was Ravana?
Ravana was the ten-headed king of Lanka who kidnapped Mother Sita. As the Srimad-Bhagavatam describes, Lord Ramacandra defeated him in battle and brought Sita back.
Where is Lord Ramacandra's victory described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam?
It is described in the Ninth Canto, chapter 10. There Sukadeva Gosvami briefly tells Maharaja Pariksit the pastimes of Lord Ramacandra, including the bridge to Lanka and the defeat of Ravana.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Sunday, 10 October 2027
- Also on this day
- Appearance Day of Sri Madhvacarya
- Told in
- Srimad-Bhagavatam, Ninth Canto, chapter 10
Seva for this day
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