Vijayadashami Traditions: Jammi Leaves, Palapitta and Aksharabhyasam

Vijayadashami, the tenth day of Dasara, marks the victory of good over evil and is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year in the Telugu states. Several customs belong to this day alone.

The first is the worship of the Jammi tree, the Shami. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their year in disguise and recovered them at the end of it. On Vijayadashami people worship the tree, collect its leaves and exchange them with elders and friends as 'bangaram', gold, taking blessings in return.

The second is the Palapitta, the Indian roller, a bright blue bird and the state bird of Telangana. Seeing one on Dasara is considered a sign of good fortune for the year ahead, and families still go out to the fields in the evening hoping to catch a glimpse.

The third is Aksharabhyasam, a child's first lesson in letters. Vijayadashami is one of the favoured days for it, because it follows the Saraswati puja of the preceding days. A parent or elder guides the child's finger to write the first letters in rice or on a slate.

It is also a day for new beginnings more generally: starting a business, buying a vehicle or tools, and the Ayudha Puja that blesses the instruments of a person's work.

Every one of these customs ends the same way, with sweets. Jammi leaves are exchanged with a piece of Laddu or Mysorepak, an Aksharabhyasam is followed by a sweet for the child, and visitors are never sent home empty-handed.