Dusshera falls on the month forthnight, i.e., on the 10th day of the waxing moon in the month of kwar.

 Thus,this festival comes some time in September or October, depending on the Tith (as determined by the Hindu calendar). The dates according to the Christian calendar can be ascertained from the panchang (almanac).

On this day in the Treta (or Trita) Yug, Ram (the 7th incarnation of Vishnu), killed the great demon Ravan, who had abducted Ram's wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Ram, along with his brother Lakshaman and devoted follower Hanuman, and an army of monkeys fought a great battle to rescue his lovely wife Sita. 

The war against Ravan lasted for ten days and the story of Ram and Sita is recounted with affection and love in the great epic Ramayana. To this day the whole of Ramayana is enacted in dramas staged in huge pandals and maidans, in cities, towns and villages. Beautiful tableaux of actors in costumes of ancient times are taken around the city before they culminate at the venue where the action takes place. After the drama is over the actors of that day's episode return in a procession to the place from where the yatra (journey) had begun. Thus, virtually the entire city can then have the darshan before and after the enactments of each day's drama. These tableaux and anactments are known as Ram Leelas. The whole spectacle is a big mela (fair) and is greatly by young and old alike.

The celebration at home begins ten days earlier, on the first day of Durga puja, in the month of Kwar. A few seeds of jowar (millet) are usually planted on the first day of the puja and watered so that the millet sprouts up into long sheaves by the tenth day and is ready for Dusshera.

Dusshera puja is done in the morning. Every one wears good clothes with zari and gota as on all festival occasions. It is said that if one wears a set of new clothes on this day, one shall get ten sets of new clothes in the coming year. There is no compulsory wearing of the chunri, but there is no taboo on donning it either. As always, chonp on the forehead is a must. The puja is done in the puja room and no specific decoration is required, but if one likes, one can make a chowk on the floor.

In Bengal the occasion is celebrated as the day on which Durga Ma killed terrible demon Mahishasur. The essence is the same- this festival is celebrates all over India as a symbol of victory of good over evil.

The eldest member of the family then writes on this paper: 
Uttar ka ghora, Dakshin ka neer Paschim ka varda, Purab ka cheer 

 The month, date and year are added to the paper and it is glued on with atta (dough) near the gods. A puja thali (plate), containing the roli, aipun and rice in their respective katoris, some and a coconut, is tastefully decorated. In some cases, this thali also as glass full of wine, whisky or rum placed along with the rest of the prasad (Dusshera is a feast celebrating victory in war, and so, alcohol is allowed even in puja). 

First of all, teeka is put on the forehead of the gods and goddesses, and the then youngest girl of the house applies the teeka on the forehead of all the members present.She uses her right hand thumb and puts an oblong teeka with a little rice on it for men, and a small bindi, using the tip of her third finger, on the forehead of the women. Everyone then worships the gods and the weapons, etc., as usual-first with water, then with aipun and roli and, lastly, with rice. If flowers are available, their petals are also showered. The eldest lady member present then picks up the nariyal (coconut) along with some sheaves of millet, some batashas, a fruit, a little mithai, one paan, a pencils or a pen (usually belonging to the individual to whom the prasad is being given). The receiver holds the two hands together and accepts the prasad. .Those receiving it touch the prasad to their forehead; they then take some sheaves of the jowar and put them on top of one ear. They can then place the prasad back onto the thali- a little peice of mithai or a batasha should be taken and eaten there and then. Each person then picks up his or her own pen or pencils and individually dips it seven times into the alcohol and then into an inkpot, saying:
 "Hey Prabhu meri kalam mein aisi teji ho, jaisi ki is sharaab mein hai." (O God let my pen gain as much sharpness, as is in this alcohol).