Thu Oct 02 13:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Dussehra 2025: Nation Celebrates Victory of Good Over Evil, Reflects on Shurpanakha’s Role in the Ramayana

**New Delhi, October 2nd, 2025** – The festival of Dussehra is being celebrated across India today, marking the triumph of good over evil. Observed on the ‘Dashami’ Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar, Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a day of immense joy and devotion. Celebrations involve prayers to Goddess Durga and Lord Rama, symbolizing the victory of righteousness. Effigies of Ravana are being burned across the nation, signifying the destruction of negativity. Traditional armory worship is also being observed.

As is tradition in the lead-up to Dussehra, Ramlila performances have been captivating audiences nationwide. These enactments of the epic Ramayana feature iconic characters like Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and Ravana.

However, this year, discussions are also focused on the significant, albeit often overlooked, role of Shurpanakha in the Ramayana. Many scholars believe that the epic’s dramatic events wouldn’t have unfolded without her actions.

Shurpanakha, driven by a desire for revenge after her husband Vidyutjihva, commander of King Kalkeya’s army, was killed by her own brother Ravana, sought retribution. After facing life in exile and the jungles of South India, Shurpanakha learned of Rama’s power and reignited her vengeful spirit.

According to the Ramcharitmanas, Shurpanakha was captivated by Rama’s beauty and proposed marriage. When Rama declined due to his devotion to Sita, and Shurpanakha persisted, Lakshmana intervened, resulting in the infamous act of him cutting off her nose.

This act ignited a chain of events that led to Ravana’s abduction of Sita, ultimately culminating in the epic battle and Rama’s victory over the demon king. Therefore, many believe that Shurpanakha, driven by vengeance, was a catalyst for the Ramayana’s central conflict.

As India celebrates Dussehra, reflecting on the triumph of good over evil, the story of Shurpanakha serves as a reminder of the complexities within the epic and the profound impact of individual actions on shaping history.

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