Dussehra 2026: Date, Vijay Muhurat and How India Celebrates Vijayadashami

Dussehra is the tenth day after Sharad Navratri begins, and it marks the victory of good over evil in two traditions: Rama's triumph over Ravana, and the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. For most readers the practical questions are simple. Which day is it, and at what time should the puja be done?

This guide gives the date, the muhurat times we found for several cities, the main rituals, and the places where calendars disagree. Nothing here describes an event that has already happened.

Dussehra 2026 Date: Tuesday, October 20

Drik Panchang lists Vijayadashami on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. DekhoPanchang agrees, and the Hyderabad panchang we read also places Dashami tithi in force through the afternoon of the 20th. Our Navratri 2026 guide reaches the same date from the start of the festival on October 11.

The Hyderabad table gives Dashami beginning at about 12:50 PM on October 20 and running until about 2:11 PM on October 21, with Shravana nakshatra until about 6:02 PM on the 20th. These are one city's times. In your city, the tithi hours will shift by minutes, and a local panchang or temple notice is the best final check.

Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna Puja Time by City

The best time for Vijayadashami rituals is the Aparahna, the afternoon portion of the day, which is why the muhurat falls after lunchtime.

Drik Panchang's page for the year defaulted to a location in California when we opened it, so we did not use its times for India. Different panchang makers use different methods too, so expect small gaps between sites even for the same city.

What Dussehra Means

The Ramayana story

In the north, western and central parts of India, Dussehra is tied to the Ramayana. Ramlila performances run through Navratri and end with the defeat of Ravana. In many towns the festival closes with the burning of effigies of Ravana, and often Kumbhakarna and Meghnad too.

The goddess story

In Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Bihar, Vijayadashami is the last day of Durga Puja. Idols are carried in processions and immersed, and people exchange greetings and sweets. Our guide on Durga Ashtami 2026 covers the days leading up to it.

Tools and learning

In the south and west, the day is also associated with Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham, when tools, books and instruments are honoured and children are introduced to learning. Practices vary by community, so follow your own family or temple custom.

Common Rituals on Vijayadashami

Drik Panchang lists Shami puja, Aparajita puja and Seema Avalanghan as rituals observed during the Aparahna time.

• Shami puja: worship of the shami tree, linked in tradition to the Mahabharata story of the Pandavas' weapons.
• Aparajita puja: worship of the goddess in her undefeated form.
• Seema Avalanghan: the ritual crossing of the village boundary.
• Ravana Dahan: the effigy burning is typically held after sunset in public Ramlila grounds. Organisers fix the exact hour, so check the local committee's notice.

Mysuru Dasara: Is the Procession on October 20 or 21?

A Mysuru Dasara summary published by HinduTone on October 9 reports an eleven-day festival from October 11 to 21 and that the Jamboo Savari is expected on October 21, with a flag-off slot from 4:10 to 4:35 PM. The same page notes that this conflicts with the October 20 date in some national calendars and advises following the official Dasara programme. We could not confirm the schedule on a government source, so treat it as a press report.

Practical Details to Check

• Your city's muhurat: use a local panchang rather than a national average.
• Closures: the October bank holiday list varies by state. Our bank holidays guide lists regional closures between October 19 and 21.
• Events: effigy-burning times, road diversions and ticketed programmes are set by local organisers.
• Crowds: arrive early at large grounds, and follow local safety instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the date of Dussehra in 2026?

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in the national calendars we checked.

What is the Vijay muhurat in Delhi?

DekhoPanchang lists about 2:00 PM to 2:43 PM IST on October 20.

Why do some places celebrate on October 21?

Dashami runs into the afternoon of October 21 in some tables, and regional programmes such as Mysuru's follow their own schedules.

Conclusion

Dussehra 2026 is on Tuesday, October 20, with the afternoon muhurat as the central window. Confirm the time for your own city, then read our October 20 date preview for the other events happening that day.