Festivals · 2026
Dussehra 2026: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Dussehra in 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Computed for Delhi (IST) from the drik-ganit panchang, by the rule: shukla dashami tithi prevailing at sunset. Abhijit Muhurat runs 11:43 AM – 12:28 PM IST.
The date
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Abhijit Muhurat (shubh for all works) 11:43 AM – 12:28 PM IST
Rule: Shukla Dashami tithi prevailing at sunset
Reference city: Delhi (IST)
Shubh muhurat windows
Like Akshaya Tritiya, Vijayadashami is a sarva-siddha muhurat — the whole day is classically clean for new undertakings. The Abhijit Muhurat above is the peak; the evening vijaya kaal (around sunset) is the traditional hour for victory rites.
| Window | Time (IST) | City |
|---|---|---|
| Abhijit Muhurat (shubh for all works) | 11:43 AM – 12:28 PM | Delhi |
The Abhijit Muhurat is the midday window most digests treat as universally auspicious — Wednesdays excepted (what it is and why). Windows are computed for Delhi; your city's exact span shifts with local sunrise — check the city panchang or the Bela app.
What does Dussehra celebrate?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami), the tenth tithi of Ashwin's bright half, celebrates two victories: Rama's over Ravana and Durga's over Mahishasura. Ramlila effigies burn at dusk, Shami trees are worshipped, and weapons, tools and vehicles receive the Ayudha puja of victory.
The story and significance of Dussehra
Vijayadashami means 'the victorious tenth'. The Mahabharata's Pandavas retrieved their weapons from the Shami tree on this day; Rama's war ended on it; and the classics count it among the sade-teen muhurats — dates auspicious without further election.
Effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna burn at sunset across the North; in Bengal the day is Bijoya Dashami, the immersion and farewell of Durga. New learning (Vidyarambham in the South) and new ventures are traditionally begun today.
Dussehra dates by year
| Year | Date | Day | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | This page |
| 2027 | 9 October 2027 | Saturday | Dussehra 2027 → |
Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra in 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. The date is computed for Delhi from the rule: shukla dashami tithi prevailing at sunset.
What does Dussehra celebrate?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami), the tenth tithi of Ashwin's bright half, celebrates two victories: Rama's over Ravana and Durga's over Mahishasura. Ramlila effigies burn at dusk, Shami trees are worshipped, and weapons, tools and vehicles receive the Ayudha puja of victory.
What is the shubh muhurat on Dussehra 2026?
The computed windows for 20 October 2026 (Delhi): Abhijit Muhurat — 11:43 AM to 12:28 PM IST. Like Akshaya Tritiya, Vijayadashami is a sarva-siddha muhurat — the whole day is classically clean for new undertakings. The Abhijit Muhurat above is the peak; the evening vijaya kaal (around sunset) is the traditional hour for victory rites.
Does the Dussehra date change from city to city?
Yes, it can. Dussehra is fixed by a tithi prevailing at a specific moment — sunrise, noon, sunset or midnight — and that moment is local. Moving west or east across longitudes can push the prevailing tithi across a civil-date boundary, so Mumbai, Kolkata or New York can observe a day apart from Delhi. Smarta and Vaishnava traditions also differ on some fasting days. The date above follows the popular North-Indian convention for Delhi; the Bela app recomputes for your exact location.
When is Dussehra in 2027?
Dussehra in 2027 falls on Saturday, 9 October 2027. Full windows and notes are on the Dussehra 2027 page, linked below.
Related
Every festival, computed the same honest way.
Exact dates, muhurat windows and the classical rule behind each one — for your own city, not just Delhi.
