Dussehra ranks among the most significant holidays in Indian culture. It’s celebrated throughout the country and in many other regions in the world, and while the specifics differ from place to place, it’s a celebration of the victory of good over evil. It’s meant to be a joyous occasion and an opportunity for families to connect with each other and with their culture.
With Dussehra coming up, it’s important to get your preparations just right to make sure that the festivities are both joyful and meaningful for the entire family. This means preparing activities that everyone can participate in, no matter how old or young. If you’re not sure what to do, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll go over some Dussehra activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Design Festive Cards
Dussehra is meant to be a time when the entire family comes together to celebrate, and what better way to mark this traditional holiday than by designing your own Dussehra cards? You can do this either with the help of an online graphic design tool or simply with coloured pencils and paper. What’s more, designing cards is an activity that the entire family can participate in, regardless of age.
Dussehra is a holiday that’s steeped in history, so you won’t lack imagery to draw on when creating your festive cards. Many families choose to depict scenes from Hindu mythology, such as the triumph of Rama over Ravana. This is a fantastic way to teach your kids about their culture in an immersive way. What’s more, doing arts and crafts during Dussehra also hones children’s creative skills, which they can then apply to other areas of life moving forward.
Perform a Puja
At its heart, Dussehra is a religious celebration. In Hindu mythology, it’s meant to represent the triumph of good over evil through the victory of Rama, who is a manifestation of Vishnu, over the demon Ravana. Whether or not your family is religious, performing a Puja during Dussehra is a great way to truly immerse yourself in the festivities and get in touch with the spiritual side of the holiday.
In essence, a Puja is a prayer ritual that families perform at home in order to venerate deities and spirits. While it’s possible to perform a Puja in any environment, decorating your home appropriately beforehand can help you more fully engage in the spiritual side of Dussehra. Some ideas for home decor include rangoli, an image of a deity or deities, candles and diyas. Creating a sacred atmosphere at home is key to performing an authentic Puja during Dussehra.
Exchange Gifts
Dussehra is a celebration of good over evil and is meant to be a joyous time of year. As such, it’s common practice for members of families to exchange gifts with each other during the holiday. This can be done on the day itself, or a few days before or after the event.
While the sky’s the limit when it comes to gift ideas, preparing Dussehra-themed presents is a great way to make this year’s holiday extra special. Some examples include dry fruits, sweets, small depictions of deities and puja essentials like incense sticks and diyas. If you have young children, you can also give them toys and art supplies.
Dussehra presents a fantastic opportunity for loved ones to spend time with each other and enjoy each other’s company. While the greatest gift you can give your family is your presence, preparing thoughtful gifts before Dussehra rolls around is a great way to get into the spirit of the festivities.
Share Stories and Memories
Dussehra is a festival rooted in powerful stories, not just from mythology, but also from our own lives. Take some time during the celebrations to sit together and share stories with each other. You might talk about the legend of Rama and Ravana, or remember what Dussehra was like when you were growing up.
Kids love hearing how their parents and grandparents used to celebrate, and it’s a lovely way to pass on traditions without it feeling like a history lesson. If you have younger children, you can even turn it into a puppet show or draw scenes together as you tell the story. It’s less about perfection and more about connection.
Make Traditional Dishes
No holiday is complete without food. Luckily, there are plenty of Dussehra-themed dishes for the whole family to enjoy during the holiday. Some recipes to try include chorafali, almond pastries and gulab jamun. These are all easy to make from the comfort of your kitchen, so take the opportunity to involve the entire family in the cooking process.
Given that you’ll likely be doing plenty of cooking, Dussehra is a great time to replenish your kitchen. Treat yourself to brand-new kitchen appliances like knives, chopping boards, saucepans and baking trays. If you plan to have guests over, you should also look into replenishing your tableware. Dussehra is a time for new beginnings, after all.
Join the Community Festivities
While there’s a lot to enjoy at home, stepping outside during Dussehra can be just as special. Many neighbourhoods and towns host Ram Leela performances, live retellings of the Ramayana that are full of colour, drama, and music. Watching these with your family, especially if you have kids, brings the stories of Dussehra to life in a way that’s hard to replicate at home.
You might also come across local fairs, food stalls, and the grand burning of Ravana effigies in public parks — a tradition that’s equal parts symbolic and exciting to watch. If your community is hosting something, make a night of it. Bring snacks, find a spot to sit together, and take in the atmosphere.
Bringing the Family Closer This Dussehra
For many, Dussehra is among the highlights of the year. It’s a time of joyful celebrations and to strengthen our bonds with those nearest and dearest to our hearts. With Dussehra right around the corner, there’s no time like the present to start preparing some activities for the whole family to enjoy as one.
In this piece, we’ve gone over some fun activities you and your loved ones can enjoy this Dussehra. Everything we’ve mentioned is appropriate for all ages, so don’t be afraid to involve the kids as well. Use this list as your inspiration and make the upcoming Dussehra one to remember!
