Dussehra 2026: When Will Vijayadashami Be Celebrated In India In 2026? Check Date, Muhurat, Timing

Dussehra 2026: Dussehra is one of the most important Hindu festivals which is celebrated with huge joy and fervour across the world. As we enter the year 2026, let's find out when will Dussehra 2026 be celebrated in the year.

Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami. The festival is a symbol of victory of good over evil as it marks the defeat of Ravana and victory of Lord Ram. Devotees honour both Lord Ram and Goddess Durga on this day, which symbolises the victory of good over evil. Key observances include Ramleela stagings, Navratri's closing rites and the ceremonial burning of Ravana effigies.

When Will Dussehra 2026 Be Celebrated?

Dussehra 2026, or Vijayadashami, falls on 20 October and will be marked across India with large public celebrations, religious rituals and cultural events. The festival aligns with Dashami Tithi in the Hindu month of Ashwin, usually observed between late September and late October. Dussehra arrives immediately after the nine-day Shardiya Navaratri, which is devoted to the nine forms of Maa Durga. For many families, this date marks the end of fasting, special pujas and community gatherings.

Dussehra 2026 Date, Time, Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, Vijayadashami in 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October. The auspicious Vijay Muhurat runs from 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM. Dashami Tithi starts at 12:50 PM on 20 October 2026. It closes at 02:11 PM on 21 October 2026, guiding devotees on preferred timings for key rituals.

Event	Date / Time
Dussehra 2026 / Vijayadashami	Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Vijay Muhurat	01:59 PM to 02:45 PM, 20 October 2026
Dashami Tithi begins	12:50 PM, 20 October 2026
Dashami Tithi ends	02:11 PM, 21 October 2026

Dussehra 2026 Importance

In the Ramayana, this date recalls the day Lord Ram defeated the ten-headed king Ravana and rescued Sita. Dussehra therefore signals the defeat of adharma and the protection of dharma. Across northern India, community grounds host Ravana effigy burnings, often alongside those of Meghnad and Kumbhakaran, to depict this victory visually.

The festival also carries a strong association with Goddess Durga. Hindu mythology narrates that Durga killed the buffalo demon Mahishasur on this day. In Bengal, many believe that on Vijaya Dashami, Goddess Durga returns to her in-laws' home with Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati and Laxmi. This belief shapes emotional farewells during Durga Puja immersions.

Dussehra 2026 Rituals, And Celebration

Throughout India, Dussehra 2026 closes the Navratri cycle of nightly garba, temple visits and community feasts. Many towns host ten days of Ramleela performances, retelling Lord Ram's life and the Lanka war. These shows build towards Vijayadashami, when the final scenes portray Ravana's fall, followed by fireworks and processions.

In Bengal, the last day of Durga Puja includes a ritual known as 'Maa Durga Baran'. Married women apply sindhoor to the idol and to each other, and offer prayers before immersion. People commonly greet one another with "Subho Bijaya" and seek blessings from elders, treating the period as a time for family visits.

In many northern states, the burning of Ravana's effigy is central to the celebration. Crowds gather to watch towering structures packed with fireworks go up in flames. A popular belief says that keeping a charred wooden piece from the effigy at home can bring good luck. People often wait patiently to collect these fragments afterwards.