SURREY, B.C. - Surrey’s Hindu community will gather on October 20 to celebrate Dussehra at the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, with an evening of cultural programming, the traditional Ram Leela performance, and the burning of the Ravan effigy.
The celebrations begin at 5 p.m. with a cultural program running until 7 p.m., followed by Ram Leela at 7 p.m. and Ravan Dahan, the ceremonial burning of the demon king Ravan’s effigy, at 8 p.m. The event is open to the community, and families are encouraged to attend.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. It marks the victory of good over evil, commemorating Lord Ram’s defeat of the ten-headed demon king Ravan as told in the ancient epic Ramayana. The festival falls at the end of Navaratri, the nine-night celebration honouring the goddess Durga, and it sets the stage for Diwali, the festival of lights, which follows about three weeks later.
For many Hindu families in Surrey, Dussehra is both a religious observance and a cultural homecoming. The Ram Leela, a dramatic retelling of episodes from Ram’s life, is performed in temples and community halls across India and the diaspora. Children often grow up watching the play, learning the story of Ram, his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman, and his devotee Hanuman, and the moral lessons the epic carries about duty, courage, and righteousness.
The highlight of the evening is Ravan Dahan. A large effigy of Ravan, traditionally stuffed with firecrackers, is set alight as the crowd watches. The burning symbolizes the destruction of evil and the triumph of virtue. For children in the audience, it is often the most memorable part of the night, a spectacle of fire and sound that brings the ancient story to life.
The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, located in Surrey, is one of the Lower Mainland’s key Hindu temples and a regular gathering place for festivals throughout the year. Its Dussehra celebration typically draws families from across Surrey, Delta, and Langley, reflecting the rapid growth of the region’s South Asian community. Events like this one play an important role in passing traditions to the next generation, many of whom are growing up far from India.
Attendees can expect devotional music, dance performances, and storytelling during the cultural program from 5 to 7 p.m. Community volunteers usually organize the evening, and prasad, blessed food, is often distributed. Those attending for the first time are welcome, and modest dress is appreciated in keeping with temple custom.
The timing of this year’s Dussehra is worth noting for readers planning their festival calendars. Dussehra falls on October 20 this year, while Diwali will be celebrated on November 8. The two festivals are often confused by those unfamiliar with the Hindu calendar, but they are distinct observances with their own rituals and meanings.
Parking around the temple can fill up quickly during major festivals, so attendees are advised to arrive early. The cultural program begins promptly at 5 p.m., and the Ravan Dahan at 8 p.m. is the culminating moment of the night.
Dussehra is a reminder of the values at the heart of the Ramayana: that courage, integrity, and devotion can overcome even the most powerful forces of darkness. For Surrey’s Hindu community, gathering together to watch Ravan burn is both a celebration and a reaffirmation, a night when an ancient story feels present and alive.
Source: Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Surrey
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