Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, falls in the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin (October). This day marks the victory of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga over the evils of Ravana and Mahishasura.
This article provides you with the correct Dussehra 2026 date, muhurat, and tithi timings observed across India.
When Is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra will be celebrated on Tuesday, 20 October, 2026, as Ravan Dahan takes place in the evening across India.
Dussehra 2026: Dashami Tithi Start and End Time
Below are the tithi timings for the Dussehra festival this year:
| DETAIL | TIMING AND DATE |
|---|---|
| Dashami Tithi Begins | 12:50 PM on 20 October, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Dashami Tithi Ends | 02:11 PM on 21 October, 2026 (Wednesday) |
Note: The tithi lasts for about 25 hours and 21 minutes (approx.). All timings are in IST and are based on the Hindu panchang.
Vijayadashami 2026: Vijaya Muhurat and Aparahna Puja Time
Below are the auspicious muhurat and puja timings for this year’s Vijayadashami on 20, October 2026, as per New Delhi:
| DETAIL | TIMING AND DATE |
|---|---|
| Dussehra 2026 Vijaya Muhurat Timings | 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM (Duration: 46 minutes) |
| Dussehra 2026 Aparahna Puja Time | 01:14 PM to 03:30 PM (2 hours and 16 minutes) |
| Dussehra 2026 Shravana Nakshatra | 03:38 PM on October 19 to 06:02 PM on October 20. |
Vijaya Muhurat: This special window falls within the Aparahna Kaal. During this time, devotees perform their worship and invite victory, righteousness, and a new beginning into their lives.
Aparahna Puja Time: Aparahna is the sacred afternoon window when devotees perform specific Hindu rituals and prayers. On Vijayadashami 2026, devotees are believed to perform Aparajita Puja, Shami Puja, and Shastra Puja.
Shravana Nakshatra: This nakshatra is considered auspicious. When Dashami spans two days, the panchang looks at Shravana Nakshatra to help settle the day of Vijayadashami.
Dussehra 2026 Muhurat: City-Wise Vijay Muhurat
Here are the timings for other major cities on 20 October 2026 (IST). New Delhi timings are given above:
| City | Time |
|---|---|
| Jaipur | 2:05 PM - 2:51 PM |
| Mumbai | 2:19 PM - 3:06 PM |
| Pune | 2:15 PM - 3:02 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 2:19 PM - 3:05 PM |
| Bengaluru | 2:02 PM - 2:49 PM |
| Hyderabad | 1:57 PM - 2:44 PM |
| Chennai | 1:51 PM - 2:38 PM |
| Kolkata | 1:16 PM - 2:02 PM |
| Chandigarh | 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM |
Dussehra Dates for Upcoming Years
Planning ahead? The following table lists Dussehra holiday dates in India for the coming years.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 9 October | Saturday |
| 2028 | 27 September | Wednesday |
| 2029 | 16 October | Tuesday |
| 2030 | 6 October | Sunday |
FAQs
Conclusion
Dussehra holds deeper significance across regions in India. Some celebrate Lord Rama's victory, and some celebrate Goddess Durga’s, but both signify the same thing. Good always wins and evil always loses.
Whether you celebrate Dussehra 2026 on 20 October or 21 October, perform the rituals during an auspicious muhurt and tithi according to your region.
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