Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, marks Shri Ram's victory over Ravana and the Goddess's victory over Mahishasura. It falls on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, the day after Navratri. In 2026 it is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in India and the USA.
Date for India
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Vijay Muhurat 1:59 PM–2:45 PM · Aparahna puja 1:14 PM–3:30 PM · Bengal Vijayadashami Oct 21 (New Delhi)
Dates around the world · 2026
| Region | Date | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| IndiaNew Delhi | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Vijay Muhurat 1:59 PM–2:45 PM · Aparahna puja 1:14 PM–3:30 PM · Bengal Vijayadashami Oct 21 (New Delhi) |
| USA EastEdison, New Jersey | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Vijay Muhurat 2:31 PM–3:15 PM · Aparahna puja 1:48 PM–3:59 PM (Edison NJ) |
| USA WestSan Jose, California | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Vijay Muhurat 2:43 PM–3:27 PM · Aparahna puja 1:58 PM–4:11 PM (San Jose CA) |
| United KingdomLondon | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Vijay Muhurat 2:29 PM–3:10 PM · Aparahna puja 1:47 PM–3:52 PM · Bengal Vijayadashami Oct 21 (London) |
| CanadaToronto | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Vijay Muhurat 2:50 PM–3:33 PM · Aparahna puja 2:07 PM–4:16 PM (Toronto) |
| AustraliaSydney | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | Vijay Muhurat 2:51 PM–3:43 PM · Aparahna puja 1:59 PM–4:36 PM (Sydney) |
Date source: drikpanchang.com (New Delhi, Edison, New Jersey, San Jose, California, London, Toronto, Sydney). Dates are taken from the cited published panchang for each region and year; regions we could not verify are left out.
About
Vijayadashami is kept on the day Dashami tithi is running in the afternoon (aparahna). In North India the Ram Lila ends and effigies of Ravana are burnt after sunset. Many families do Shami puja and Aparajita puja in the afternoon. The day is thought especially good for starting something new, a child's first letters (Vidyarambham in the South) or a new venture, ideally in the afternoon Vijay Muhurat.
In Bengal the day is Bijoya Dashami, when the Durga idol is immersed. In 2026 Bengal keeps it on Wednesday, October 21. In the Telugu states people worship the jammi (shami) tree and give its leaves to elders, and in Tamil Nadu the Navratri golu is closed with an aarti.
How to observe
Tick the steps as you go. The ticks are saved on this device only.
Customs differ by family and region. Follow your family tradition and temple where they differ from these steps.
What you will need
Texts to recite
- Shri Ramchandra Kripalu Bhaju ManShri Ramchandra Kripalu Bhaju Man is a five-stanza hymn to Lord Ram by Goswami Tulsidas, pada 45 of his Vinaya Patrika. It asks the mind to worship compassionate Ram, who removes the dread of worldly life, and describes his lotus eyes, cloud-dark body and yellow robe. It is sung on Ram Navami and Diwali, in bhajan sandhyas, at the close of Sundarkand and Ramayana recitals, and in daily evening prayer.
- Hanuman ChalisaThe Hanuman Chalisa is a devotional hymn to Lord Hanuman written in Awadhi by the 16th-century poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas. Its 43 verses (two opening dohas, 40 chaupais and a closing doha) praise Hanuman and retell his service to Shri Ram. Many devotees recite it daily, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Questions
When is Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in India?
Tuesday, October 20, 2026. In New Delhi the Vijay Muhurat is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM, and the aparahna puja window is 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM. Bengal keeps Bijoya Dashami the next day, Wednesday, October 21.
What is the Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 date in the USA?
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in New Jersey and California alike. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:31 PM to 3:15 PM in New Jersey and 2:43 PM to 3:27 PM in San Jose.
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 date in the UK, Canada and Australia?
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in London and Toronto. Sydney keeps it a day later, on Wednesday, October 21.
Why is Dussehra a day later in Sydney?
Vijayadashami is kept on the day Dashami tithi is running in the local afternoon. A tithi begins at the same moment everywhere, but Sydney's afternoon comes hours before India's. In 2026, by the Sydney panchang, the afternoon that falls in Dashami is on October 21, so that is the day there.
When is Ravana Dahan done?
After sunset, while it is still Dashami. Abroad, go by the time the local organisers announce.
Dussehra 2026 is on a Tuesday. Can we celebrate on the weekend?
Many temples and community groups abroad hold Ram Lila or Ravana Dahan on the nearest weekend, and joining that is fine. If you can, do a simple puja at home on Tuesday itself, and start any new thing in that day's Vijay Muhurat.
Other years
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2027
| India | Saturday, October 9, 2027 | Vijay Muhurat 2:05 PM–2:52 PM · Aparahna puja 1:18 PM–3:38 PM · Bengal Vijayadashami Oct 10 (New Delhi) |
|---|---|---|
| USA East | Saturday, October 9, 2027 | Vijay Muhurat 2:39 PM–3:24 PM · Aparahna puja 1:53 PM–4:10 PM (Edison NJ) |
| USA West | Saturday, October 9, 2027 | Vijay Muhurat 2:49 PM–3:35 PM · Aparahna puja 2:04 PM–4:21 PM (San Jose CA) |
| United Kingdom | Saturday, October 9, 2027 | Vijay Muhurat 2:39 PM–3:23 PM · Aparahna puja 1:54 PM–4:08 PM (London) |
| Canada | Saturday, October 9, 2027 | Vijay Muhurat 2:58 PM–3:43 PM · Aparahna puja 2:13 PM–4:29 PM (Toronto) |
| Australia | Saturday, October 9, 2027 | Vijay Muhurat 2:50 PM–3:40 PM · Aparahna puja 1:59 PM–4:31 PM · Bengal Vijayadashami Oct 10 (Sydney) |
Date source: drikpanchang.com