When Dussehra Became a Festival of Show-Off

When the bright sunlight of autumn begins to fade and the cool breeze signals the arrival of winter, India prepares for a festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami.

In northern India, this day marks Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, while in other parts of the country, it celebrates Goddess Durga’s triumph over the demon Mahishasura.

No matter which story you follow, the message remains the same dharma (truth and righteousness) always prevails when courage, self-control, and morality take precedence over arrogance and injustice.

But in the 21st century, the noble ideals of Dussehra seem to be fading beneath the smoke of fireworks, the glare of spotlights, and the blare of loudspeakers. What was once a spiritual and introspective festival has, in many places, become a display of extravagance, pollution, and wasteful spending.

This blog sheds light on the reality of modern Dussehra a festival increasingly shaped by showmanship, environmental harm, unnecessary expenditure, and carelessness, all of which stand against its true spirit.

The True Meaning of Dussehra

Before discussing the negative aspects, it’s important to understand what Dussehra truly teaches us.
The Ramayana tells us that Lord Rama did not defeat Ravana merely with weapons, but through patience, humility, strategy, and devotion.

The burning of Ravana’s effigy symbolizes the destruction of ego and the victory of truth. Similarly, in Durga Puja, Goddess Durga’s triumph represents the power of courage and collective strength.

In its purest form, Dussehra teaches us to burn the Ravana within our anger, greed, hatred, and pride. It’s a time for moral reflection and the restoration of unity and harmony in society. Its true strength lies not in display, but in introspection.

From Devotion to Display: The Shift in Modern Dussehra

Over time, the simplicity of Dussehra has transformed into a spectacle meant to impress rather than inspire.

Open grounds turn into grand Ramleela stages, dazzling with lights, massive sets, and 50-foot effigies packed with fireworks. Social media has intensified this competition every community or family wants their celebration to be the biggest and most glamorous.

This shift isn’t just superficial it carries deep social, economic, and environmental consequences.

The Culture of Show-Off: When Festivals Become Status Symbols

The most worrying trend today is the obsession with appearances.

For many organizers, Dussehra is no longer about devotion but about displaying wealth and influence. Discussions revolve around who will make the tallest Ravana, hire the loudest sound system, or invite a celebrity guest.

Success is now measured not by moral messages, but by the size of the fireworks and the amount of money spent. Families too join this race expensive clothes, lavish feasts, and endless social media posts.

Children grow up believing that festivals are not for spiritual growth, but for performance.
Ironically, the effigy of Ravana meant to symbolize the destruction of ego has itself become a symbol of ego.

Pollution: The Earth Burns Along with Ravana

The most immediate result of this show-off culture is pollution.

Every year, thousands of effigies and fireworks release smoke and toxic particles (PM2.5 and PM10) into the air.
On Dussehra night, air quality in many cities becomes hazardous, worsening respiratory and heart conditions. Noise pollution affects not only humans but also birds, animals, and infants.

After the celebrations, lakes and riverbanks are littered with waste plastic, burnt fireworks, and debris.
The irony? We celebrate the “end of evil” by creating new evils that harm the planet.

Wasteful Spending: Crores Turn to Ashes

Across India, communities and families spend crores on fireworks, stages, and decorations all of which vanish in a single night.

Extravagant spending on clothes, gifts, and feasts is often driven by social pressure. If even a fraction of this money were used for education, healthcare, or environmental causes, it could bring lasting change.

The Ramayana teaches simplicity and sacrifice but today’s Dussehra glorifies indulgence and display.

Trash Culture and Blind Competition

After Dussehra, the streets are littered with plastic cups, plates, and firework waste. People assume that “someone else will clean it up.”
This mindset reflects a moral decline a loss of responsibility and civic sense.

Neighborhoods compete over who has the biggest effigy or the loudest Ramleela, turning the festival into a meaningless contest.

Impact on Children and Society

Children absorb what they see.

When they watch adults obsess more over fireworks than prayer, more over spending than giving, and more over selfies than reflection they learn that showmanship matters more than values.

Dussehra, once a festival of humility and virtue, now teaches consumption and pride.

Socially, too, this wasteful culture adds to poverty, pollution, and health problems issues that could have been prevented with conscious celebration.

Returning to the True Spirit of Dussehra: Solutions and Alternatives

Criticism alone won’t help we need change.
The good news is, a meaningful and eco-friendly Dussehra is possible:

1. Eco-Friendly Effigies – Use paper, clay, and natural colors instead of plastic and thermocol.

2. Symbolic Burning – Burn smaller effigies or use digital light shows.

3. Service Activities – Replace fireworks with food drives, health camps, or tree-planting events.

4. Peaceful Celebrations – Follow noise limits and spread Dussehra’s message through plays and music.

5. Educational Engagements – Teach children about Ramayana and Durga Puja through workshops and art contests.

6. Positive Social Media – Share posts about sustainability and service, not extravagance.

These steps not only protect the environment but also revive the soul of Dussehra.

The Real Victory

Dussehra is not just about defeating external evil it’s about transforming oneself.

Do we not carry within us anger, greed, envy, and pride?
If we fail to burn these inner demons, then burning Ravana’s effigy has no meaning.

The true celebration lies in embracing honesty, compassion, and self-discipline not in smoke, noise, or show.
That’s when Dussehra truly becomes Vijayadashami the victory of light over darkness, both outside and within.