Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami): Date, Vijay Muhurat, Ravan Dahan and Durga Visarjan
Dussehra — Vijayadashami — is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Dashami begins at 12:51 PM that day and covers the whole afternoon window that decides the festival. Vijay muhurat in Delhi is from 1:59 to 2:45 PM. In Bengal, Bijoya Dashami and Durga visarjan fall the next day, Wednesday, 21 October.
- Date: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- Dashami tithi: 12:51 PM on 20 October to 2:13 PM on 21 October
- Aparahna (Delhi): 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM
- Vijay muhurat (Delhi): 1:59 PM – 2:45 PM
- Nakshatra in the Aparahna: Shravana
- Sunset (Delhi), for Ravan dahan: 5:47 PM
- Bengal: Bijoya Dashami and Durga visarjan on Wednesday, 21 October
Why Dussehra is Tuesday and not Wednesday
Dashami holds the sunrise only on Wednesday, 21 October, and some calendars print Dussehra there. But Vijayadashami is not decided by the sunrise. It belongs to the Dashami that holds the Aparahna, the fourth fifth of the day. On Tuesday, 20 October Dashami begins at 12:51 PM and covers the whole Delhi Aparahna, from 1:14 to 3:30 PM. On Wednesday it ends at 2:13 PM, covering only 59 of the 136 minutes. When Dashami covers the Aparahna on both days, the rule takes the first — and here the first day also has Shravana nakshatra in its Aparahna, which the tradition treats as confirming it. Tuesday is Dussehra.
Vijay muhurat
The Vijay muhurat is the eleventh of the fifteen muhurtas of the day, and it falls within the Aparahna: 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM in Delhi. It is held to favour beginnings — a journey, a new undertaking, the first lesson of a student — and it is the preferred window for the day's pujas. The whole Aparahna, 1:14 to 3:30 PM, is also suitable.
Shami puja, Aparajita puja and Seema Ullanghan
In the afternoon many families worship the Shami tree, in whose branches the Pandavas are said to have hidden their weapons during their year in disguise. Shami leaves are exchanged as "gold" in Maharashtra and parts of the South. Aparajita, "the unconquered", is worshipped as the Goddess of victory, often by drawing her yantra and offering the aparajita flower. The old custom of Seema Ullanghan — crossing the village boundary — marks the day as the start of journeys and campaigns.
Ravan dahan
Dussehra remembers two victories: Rama's over Ravana, and the Goddess's over Mahishasura. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada are burnt after sunset, which in Delhi is at 5:47 PM on Tuesday; most Ramlila committees light them in the early evening that follows.
Bijoya Dashami in Bengal — and the Navratri parana
Bengal keeps its own reckoning for Durga Puja, and there Bijoya Dashami, with the Sindoor Khela and the immersion of the idols, falls on Wednesday, 21 October, while Dashami still runs until 2:13 PM — see Durga Puja Maha Navami and Bijoya Dashami. For North Indian households, the Navratri parana comes after Navami ends at 12:51 PM on Tuesday — the same afternoon Dashami begins. The whole festival, day by day, is in the Navratri 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra in 2026?
On Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Dashami begins at 12:51 PM that day and covers the whole afternoon (Aparahna), which is what decides Vijayadashami.
Why do some calendars show Dussehra on 21 October?
Because Dashami holds the sunrise on Wednesday. But Vijayadashami follows the Aparahna, not the sunrise; on Wednesday Dashami ends at 2:13 PM and covers only part of it. Wednesday is, however, Bengal's Bijoya Dashami.
What is the Vijay muhurat on Dussehra 2026?
In Delhi, 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM on Tuesday, 20 October, within the Aparahna of 1:14 to 3:30 PM.
What time is Ravan dahan on Dussehra 2026?
After sunset, which in Delhi is at 5:47 PM on Tuesday, 20 October. Local Ramlila committees set their own time in the early evening.
When is Durga visarjan in 2026?
In Bengal, on Bijoya Dashami, Wednesday, 21 October. In North India the Navratri kalash is taken down after the Navami havan, and the fast is broken after Navami ends at 12:51 PM on Tuesday.
