Hyderabad, October 20, 2026: Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the culmination of the Sharad Navaratri celebrations and holds deep religious significance for devotees across India. Among the many traditions associated with the festival, worshiping the Shami or Jammi tree on the evening of Vijayadashami is considered especially auspicious.
The Shami tree is traditionally associated with Goddess Durga, victory and the destruction of evil. Devotees worship the tree, offer prayers and exchange its leaves as a symbolic representation of gold while seeking blessings for prosperity, success and well-being.
Vijayadashami marks the tenth day of the Sharad Navaratri festival. According to Hindu tradition, the day celebrates the victory of good over evil.
In several traditions, Goddess Rajarajeshwari is worshiped in a special form on Vijayadashami. Devotees perform elaborate pujas, including kumkumarchana and offerings of flowers and sacred leaves.
The festival is also associated with the victory of Goddess Durga after her battle against evil forces. Religious traditions describe Vijayadashami as an especially auspicious day for starting new activities and seeking divine blessings.
The Shami tree occupies a special place in Hindu mythology. According to the Mahabharata tradition, during their period of exile, the Pandavas are believed to have concealed their weapons in a Shami tree while living incognito.
Before entering the final phase of their exile, the Pandavas are traditionally said to have worshiped the tree and retrieved their weapons. Their subsequent victory in battle became associated with the sacred Shami tree.
Because of this association with the Pandavas, weapons and victory, the Shami tree came to symbolize strength, protection and success .
The tree is also traditionally connected with Goddess Durga. Devotees therefore consider Shami worship on Vijayadashami an important spiritual practice.
One of the most popular Dussehra customs in parts of South and western India is exchanging Shami leaves.
The leaves are symbolically treated as gold , representing prosperity and abundance. People exchange them with family members, friends and relatives and seek the blessings of elders.
Placing Shami leaves in the hands of elders and receiving their blessings is considered a way of strengthening family bonds while expressing respect and goodwill.
Devotees traditionally clean the area around the tree and offer flowers, turmeric, kumkum, incense and lamps. Some perform circumambulation around the tree while reciting traditional prayers.
A popular verse associated with Shami worship is:
“Shami Shamayate Papam, Shami Shatru Vinashini…”
The prayer invokes the Shami tree as a symbol of the destruction of sins and enemies and recalls its association with Arjuna and Lord Rama.
Devotees may also recite Durga Suktam or Lalita Sahasranamam as part of their devotional observances.
In traditional Hindu belief, offering prayers to the Shami tree is associated with overcoming difficulties and receiving blessings for success. Some devotees also associate the tree with Shani worship and believe that offering prayers to Shami can provide relief from difficulties attributed to Shani.
These are religious and cultural beliefs , rather than scientifically established effects.
Beyond its religious significance, Shami worship also carries an important environmental message.
The tradition encourages people to recognize the value of trees and maintain a respectful relationship with nature. The well-known principle “Vriksho Rakshati Rakshitah” conveys the idea that protecting trees ultimately protects human life as well.
Planting and caring for Shami trees in homes, community spaces and neighborhood parks can therefore combine cultural tradition with environmental responsibility.
As families celebrate Vijayadashami, the Shami tree tradition serves as a reminder of victory, prosperity, respect for elders and harmony with nature .
— Suryaa Now Desk