The festival of Vijaya Dashmi is being celebrated across the country today. The festival marks the victory of good over evil. President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted people on the occasion. In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee appealed to the people to resolve, to follow the path of moral and ethical rectitude which has guided for centuries. He expressed the hope that the celebrations will bind the communities and regions of India in a true sense of brotherhood and motivate them to make renewed efforts for the unity and progress of the country.

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said, the festival fills the people with the spirit of brotherhood and amity. He expressed the hope that the festival will bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet greeted the country on Vijaya dashami.

Mr Modi will attend the historic Aishbagh Ramlila in Lucknow this evening on the occasion. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is already in the Uttar Pradesh capital. Our correspondent reports that Mr Modi is scheduled to reach Lucknow at 6 PM.

In Delhi, Police have made elaborate security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion. Over in Karnataka, the Navaratri festivities culminate with grand Jamboo savari procession in Mysuru today. The famous 4 km procession also known as Vijayadashmi procession will be flagged off by Chief Minister Siddaramiah after performing puja to the Nandi dhwaja in front of the Mysore palace. The main attraction of the procession is herd of 12 caparisoned elephants led by 56-year old elephant Arjuna.

In Assam, tight security measures are being taken in Guwahati as well as in other cities for peaceful conduct immersion of Durga. Several Brahmaputra ghats have been specially decorated. Colourful procession have been taken out by puja committees amidst chanting of hymns. Last night, braving rains people in large numbers visited Durga Puja mandaps on Maha Navami.

Over in Tamil Nadu, on the occasion of Vijayadasami, many schools started admissions for LKG and first standard today as it is considered an auspicious day. Our correspondent reports that While in Madhya Pradesh, elaborate security arrangements have been made across the state on the occasion of Dussehra.