Dussehra 2026 Date: When Is Vijayadashami? Know Dashami Tithi, Vijay Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, Ravana Dahan and More

Dussehra 2026: Quick Details

Detail	Date/Time
Dussehra 2026 date	Tuesday, October 20
Festival name	Dussehra, Vijayadashami, Dasara
Hindu date	Ashwin Shukla Dashami
Dashami Tithi begins	October 20, 12:50 PM
Dashami Tithi ends	October 21, 2:11 PM
Vijay Muhurat, New Delhi	1:59 PM to 2:45 PM
Sharad Navratri begins	October 11
Durga Ashtami	October 19
Maha Navami	October 19
Ayudha Puja	October 20 in many North Indian calendars; regional observances vary
Mysore Dasara Vijayadashami	October 21
Diwali 2026	Sunday, November 8

The exact muhurat can vary by city, so devotees should check their local Panchang for location-specific timings. For New Delhi, the Vijay Muhurat on October 20 is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM.

Also Read: Navratri 2026 Dates and Colours: Is It Starting on October 10 or 11 | Navratri 2026 Outfit Guide: What to Wear for Garba, Dandiya, Puja & Family Events

When is Dussehra 2026?

Dussehra 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20.


It falls on Shukla Paksha Dashami in the Hindu month of Ashwin and is also called Vijayadashami. In most North Indian calendars, October 20 is observed as Dussehra because the Dashami Tithi is present on that day during the relevant period for Vijayadashami observance.

There is some regional variation in the observance. For example, the Bengal Vijayadashami calendar places the festival on October 21, 2026, while the North Indian calendar observes Vijayadashami on October 20. This difference is linked to regional rules for determining the festival from the prevailing tithi.

Dussehra 2026: Is it on October 20 or October 21?

For most parts of India, Dussehra is on October 20, 2026. However, some regional calendars, particularly the Bengal Durga Puja tradition, observe Vijaya Dashami on October 21. This distinction is important because Dussehra/Vijayadashami is determined according to regional Panchang rules rather than simply by the civil date on which Dashami Tithi ends.

Dussehra 2026 Dashami Tithi

For New Delhi, Dashami Tithi begins at 12:50 PM on October 20 and ends at 2:11 PM on October 21.

The festival is associated with the tenth lunar day, or Dashami, of the bright fortnight of Ashwin. Since the tithi extends into October 21, different regional traditions can arrive at different Vijayadashami dates.

Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat

The Vijay Muhurat in New Delhi is from 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM on October 20, according to the city's Panchang. This period falls during Aparahna and is traditionally considered suitable for Vijayadashami-related puja and auspicious activities.

The timing changes from city to city. For example, the listed Vijayadashami puja period is 2:16 PM to 3:02 PM in Pune, 1:52 PM to 2:39 PM in Chennai and 1:17 PM to 2:03 PM in Kolkata.

Why is Dussehra celebrated?

Dussehra represents the victory of good over evil.

In the Ramayana tradition, Vijayadashami commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana after the battle in Lanka. This is why Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad effigies are traditionally burned during public Dussehra celebrations.

The festival is also linked to Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura. This connection is especially prominent in eastern and northeastern India, where Vijayadashami comes at the conclusion of Durga Puja.

Thus, the same festival carries different regional expressions while sharing the broader theme of victory, righteousness and the triumph of good over evil.

Dussehra and Navratri 2026: How are they connected?

Dussehra is the tenth day following the nine days of Sharad Navratri.

In 2026, Sharad Navratri begins on October 11 and ends on October 19. Vijayadashami follows on October 20 in the North Indian calendar.

The important dates are:

Date	Festival/Observance
October 11	Sharad Navratri begins, Ghatasthapana
October 16	Saraswati Avahan
October 17	Saraswati Puja
October 18	Navratri Saptami
October 19	Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami
October 20	Vijayadashami/Dussehra
October 21	Bengal Vijayadashami; Mysore Dasara Vijayadashami

When is Ashtami in October 2026?

Durga Ashtami will be observed on Monday, October 19, 2026.

For New Delhi, the Ashwin Shukla Ashtami Tithi begins at 8:27 AM on October 18 and ends at 10:51 AM on October 19. Durga Ashtami is one of the most important days of Sharad Navratri and is associated with worship of Goddess Durga and Kanya Puja in many households.

When is Navami in October 2026?

Maha Navami will also be observed on October 19, 2026, in the North Indian calendar.

Navami Tithi begins at 10:51 AM on October 19 and ends at 12:50 PM on October 20 in New Delhi. Because of the tithi overlap, Ashtami and Navami fall on the same civil date in 2026 in this calendar.

This is one of the important calendar details for devotees planning Durga Puja, Kanya Puja, Navami Homa or Navratri Parana.

Saraswati Puja 2026: When is it?

Saraswati-related observances during Navratri begin before Dussehra.

In the 2026 Navratri calendar, Saraswati Avahan falls on October 16, while Saraswati Puja is observed on October 17 in the relevant North Indian calendar. Saraswati worship is associated with knowledge, learning, wisdom and the arts.

The exact observance differs by region, particularly during Durga Puja in Bengal, where Saraswati worship is integrated into the broader multi-day puja calendar.

Ayudha Puja 2026: When is it?

Ayudha Puja is associated with Mahanavami and the worship of tools, instruments, vehicles, machinery and objects used for work.

In the 2026 North Indian calendar, Ayudha/Shastra Puja falls on October 20, with a listed Vijayadashami-related muhurat of 1:53 PM to 2:39 PM for Samthar, Uttar Pradesh.

The tradition is particularly prominent in southern India and Karnataka. In Mysuru, for example, Ayudha Puja is observed on October 20, while Vijayadashami and the famous Dasara procession take place on October 21.

Mysore Dussehra 2026: Date and significance

Mysore Dasara 2026 Vijayadashami will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 21.

Mysuru follows its own regional Dasara calendar. The celebration culminates with the famous Jumbo Savari, during which Goddess Chamundeshwari is carried in a golden howdah on a decorated elephant in the grand Vijayadashami procession.

The Mysuru Palace calendar lists October 20 as Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja, followed by October 21 as Vijayadashami.

This is why searches for "Mysore Dussehra 2026" may show October 21 even though the main North Indian Dussehra date is October 20.

Dussehra 2026: What is the significance of Ravana Dahan?

One of the most recognisable Dussehra traditions is Ravana Dahan, or the burning of Ravana's effigy.

Public celebrations often include effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad, followed by their symbolic burning. The ritual represents the destruction of arrogance, wrongdoing and evil and the restoration of righteousness.

Ramlila performances depicting episodes from the Ramayana are also traditionally staged in the days leading up to Vijayadashami.

Dussehra Puja Vidhi: How is Vijayadashami celebrated?

The exact rituals vary by family and region, but common Vijayadashami practices include:

1. Clean the puja area and prepare the required offerings.
2. Worship Lord Rama, Goddess Durga or the family's traditional deity.
3. Perform Aparajita Puja where the tradition is followed.
4. Worship the Shami tree or offer prayers to Shami leaves according to family custom.
5. Perform Ayudha or Shastra Puja where that tradition is observed.
6. Offer prayers for victory, prosperity and protection.
7. Participate in or watch Ramlila and Ravana Dahan events.
8. In some communities, exchange Shami leaves as a symbolic gesture of goodwill and prosperity.

Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and Seema Avalanghan are among the traditional Vijayadashami observances associated with the Aparahna period.

Dussehra 2026 Holidays: Will schools and offices be closed?

October 20, 2026 is listed as Dussehra and a gazetted holiday in the Central Government holiday calendar. However, school, bank and government-office holidays can differ according to state calendars and local institutions.

For schools, the Dussehra break is particularly variable. Some states provide an extended Dasara or autumn vacation, while others close only around the festival dates. Parents and students should therefore check the calendar issued by their school or state education department rather than assuming that the same holiday period applies nationwide.

Bank holidays also vary by state and city. For example, the RBI-linked October 2026 holiday schedule includes Dussehra-related closures on different dates in different regions.

Dussehra 2026 and Diwali 2026: Are they on the same date?

No. Dussehra and Diwali will not fall on the same date in 2026.

• Dussehra/Vijayadashami: October 20, 2026
• Diwali/Deepavali: November 8, 2026

There are 19 days between Dussehra and Diwali in 2026. Diwali will fall on a Sunday.

Dussehra marks the victory associated with Lord Rama and Goddess Durga, while Diwali is the Festival of Lights and is widely associated with Lakshmi Puja, alongside several regional traditions.

Dussehra 2026 and Diwali: Why do people search for both together?

The two festivals are part of India's major festive calendar but are separated by several weeks in some years.

Dussehra concludes Sharad Navratri and is observed on Ashwin Shukla Dashami. Diwali arrives later on Kartik Amavasya. In 2026, the gap is particularly noticeable because Diwali falls on November 8, rather than immediately after Dussehra in October.

Navratri Colours 2026: What are the nine colours before Dussehra?

The nine-day Navratri colour tradition leads up to Vijayadashami. For 2026, the commonly followed sequence is:

Date	Navratri colour
October 11	Orange
October 12	White
October 13	Red
October 14	Royal Blue
October 15	Yellow
October 16	Green
October 17	Grey
October 18	Purple
October 19	Peacock Green

These colours are a popular cultural tradition rather than a universal religious requirement, and practices can vary between regions and families.

Dussehra 2026: What should you buy or start on Vijayadashami?

Vijayadashami is traditionally regarded as an auspicious occasion for starting new work, beginning education or learning a skill, purchasing work-related items and worshipping tools or instruments.

In traditions that observe Ayudha Puja, vehicles, machinery, books, instruments and tools may be cleaned and worshipped before being put back into use.

The emphasis is on beginning or continuing important work with a sense of auspiciousness rather than treating every purchase as a mandatory Dussehra ritual.

Dussehra 2026 FAQs

1. Is Dussehra on October 20 or October 21 in 2026?
   For most North Indian calendars, Dussehra is on October 20, 2026. Bengal's regional Vijayadashami observance falls on October 21.
2. When is Ashtami in October 2026?
   Durga Ashtami is on October 19, 2026.
3. When is Ayudha Puja in 2026?
   Ayudha Puja is associated with Mahanavami and is observed on October 20, 2026 in the relevant North Indian calendar. In Karnataka's Mysuru Dasara tradition, Ayudha Puja is also observed on October 20, followed by Vijayadashami on October 21.
4. When is Mysore Dussehra 2026?
   Mysore Dasara Vijayadashami is on October 21, 2026. The grand Jumbo Savari procession is held as part of the Vijayadashami celebrations.
5. When is Saraswati Puja in 2026?
   Saraswati Avahan is on October 16, while Saraswati Puja is observed on October 17 in the relevant North Indian Navratri calendar. Regional Durga Puja calendars can differ.