Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20, on Ashwin Shukla Dashami.
What the day marks
The day symbolises the triumph of good over evil, commemorating both Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga’s over Mahishasura. Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burned in the evening. In Bengal and eastern India, this is also the day of Durga Visarjan, when the grand Durga idols are immersed in rivers and lakes after the final Sindoor Khela ceremony.
Dussehra is one of the few festivals where virtually every region in India has its own distinct flavor. Delhi’s Ramlila grounds host some of the tallest effigies in the country, some reaching 100 feet. Mysuru turns the entire city into a lit procession route. Kullu’s week-long Dussehra begins on the day most of India’s celebration ends, with 300+ local deities carried in palanquins to the valley. If you grew up attending one of these celebrations, you know there’s nothing quite like it, and nothing quite like missing it when you’re abroad.
Timing for Vijay Muhurat
Ravana Dahan and Shastra Puja are traditionally done during Aparahna Kaal, the afternoon period, called Vijay Muhurat. The exact minute depends on your city’s sunset. In most Indian cities, Aparahna Kaal for October 20 will fall roughly between 1:15 PM and 3:30 PM local time, but the precise window shifts based on your longitude.
For those living in the US or UK, this timing gets interesting. If you’re in New York, India’s Aparahna Kaal falls in the early morning hours your time, which is why NRI communities typically hold their own Ravana Dahan events calibrated to the local sunset. The principle stays the same: perform the puja during your own city’s Aparahna Kaal window, not India’s.
Why Vijay Muhurat matters beyond the festival
Vijay Muhurat isn’t just about Ravana Dahan. Traditionally, this is considered one of the most auspicious windows in the entire Hindu calendar for starting something new. Beginning a business venture, signing an important contract, moving into a new home, or embarking on a journey during Vijay Muhurat is considered especially favorable. Many families time property registrations and vehicle purchases to coincide with this window specifically because Dashami tithi combined with the afternoon muhurat is considered self-sufficient, meaning it doesn’t need additional nakshatra or yoga support to be auspicious.
Shastra Puja for working professionals
If you’re in the armed forces, law enforcement, or any profession that involves tools of the trade, Shastra Puja on Dussehra is particularly relevant. Farmers worship their ploughs, craftspeople their instruments, and in modern practice, many people perform a small puja on their work tools, laptops, or vehicles. The idea is simple: honor what sustains your livelihood. Even a brief acknowledgment at your workspace during Vijay Muhurat counts.
Check your city’s timing
Check the muhurat page with your city selected for that day’s Aparahna Kaal and Rahu Kaal. You can also use the panchang page to confirm the exact Dashami tithi start and end times for your location.