Major Festival · Select a year for the Gregorian date
Dussehra: Vijayadashami Date, Muhurat and Ravana Dahan Guide
Ashwin Shukla Dashami is the day of Rama’s victory over Ravana and Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Select a year for the Dashami date.
दशहरा / विजयादशमी · · Shukla Dashami
- Muhurat (2026)
- 02:21 PM to 03:21 PM
- Hindu month
- Ashwin
- Regions
- Pan-India, Mysuru
- Deity
- Lord Rama; Goddess Durga / Chamundeshwari
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, closes Sharad Navratri. North Indian cities burn effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhakarna after Ramlila. Bengal performs sindoor khela and immerses Durga. Karnataka’s Mysuru Dasara is a royal procession with the goddess Chamundeshwari. Tamil and Kannada homes perform Ayudha / Ayudha-Saraswati Puja on the preceding days, worshipping tools, vehicles and books. Vijay Muhurat is a short aparahna window used to begin education, weapons worship, or new work. It is a gazetted public holiday in India.
When is Dussehra?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Monday, 21 September, 2026, Ashwin Shukla Dashami. Ramlila grounds usually schedule Ravana dahan after sunset that day, once Dashami is in effect and local police have cleared the pyre. The auspicious Vijay Muhurat for starting vidya or shastra puja in 2026 is 02:21 PM to 03:21 PM IST (indicative aparahna). Use the year selector to see any other calendar.
- Date: Monday, 21 September, 2026.
- Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Dashami.
- Vijay Muhurat: 02:21 PM to 03:21 PM IST.
Ravana dahan, Ayudha Puja and Mysuru Dasara
Attend only authorised grounds; fireworks and tall effigies require municipal permits. Keep distance from the fire. In South India, the emphasis is often on Saraswati Puja (books) and Ayudha Puja (instruments and vehicles) rather than Ravana. Mysuru’s jumboo savari on Vijayadashami is a major tourist event — book seating officially. Many families exchange shami / apta leaves (gold-leaf symbolism) in Maharashtra (simollanghan traditions). Teachers may be honoured; children often begin a new notebook as a vidyarambham gesture, especially in Kerala where Vijayadashami is a classical day to start letters.
| Region | Public form | Typical day |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi belt / Delhi | Ramlila + Ravana dahan | 20 October evening |
| West Bengal | Sindoor khela, visarjan | 20 October |
| Mysuru | Dasara procession | 20 October |
| Tamil Nadu / Karnataka homes | Ayudha & Saraswati Puja | Navami–Dashami |
Significance
Dashami means the tenth lunar day; vijaya means victory. Theologically it is the triumph of dharma — Rama over Ravana, Durga over Mahishasura. Socially it is a day to return to ordinary work after Navratri with a blessing on one’s tools. Starting a journey or a lawsuit during Vijay Muhurat is a classical recommendation in muhurta texts; treat it as cultural guidance, not a guarantee of outcomes.
Key sacred rituals
- Burning effigies of Ravana, Meghnada, and Kumbhakarna
- Worship of weapons, tools, and vehicles (Aypudha Puja)
- Grand Mysuru Dasara Royal Procession
Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is on Tuesday, 20 October.
What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra?
The indicative Vijay Muhurat is 02:05 PM to 02:51 PM IST on 20 October. It is a short aparahna window — be ready in advance.
Is Dussehra the same as Vijayadashami?
Yes. Dussehra is the Hindi popular name; Vijayadashami is the Sanskrit tithi name for the same Dashami.
Is Dussehra a national holiday?
Yes. Vijayadashami / Dussehra is a gazetted public holiday in India on 20 October.
When should Ravana dahan be done?
After sunset on Dashami, at the time announced by the local Ramlila committee and fire authorities — not during the afternoon Vijay Muhurat.
Muhurat times are indicative for IST and may vary by city sunrise and tithi. Confirm with Today's Panchang.