Dussehra 2026 Date, Timing, Muhurat
Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king Ravana.
If you are asking "when is Dussehra in 2026?", the answer is Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
This blog covers the Dussehra 2026 date, the Vijayadashami 2026 timings, and the best muhurat for Dussehra puja 2026. Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day (Dashami) after the nine days of Sharad Navratri, and people also know it as Vijayadashami or Dasara.
In this guide, you will also see how Dussehra and Vijayadashami are connected and why the festival is held on 20 October. All timings are for Delhi (IST), so you can plan your puja with confidence.
Dussehra 2026 Date Full Details
Dussehra falls on Shukla Dashami of the Hindu month of Ashwin. This is the tenth day right after Sharad Navratri.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival Name | Dussehra (Vijayadashami / Dasara) |
| Dussehra 2026 Date | 20 October 2026 |
| Day | Tuesday |
| Hindu Month and Paksha | Ashwin, Shukla Paksha |
| Tithi | Dashami |
Dussehra follows the Aparahna rule, which means the Dashami tithi must be present in the afternoon of that day. In 2026, this happens on 20 October, so that is the festival date.
Dussehra 2026 Muhurat & Timing
The main Dussehra rituals are done in the afternoon (Aparahna). The best time inside it is called Vijay Muhurat.
| Event | Timing (Delhi, IST) |
|---|---|
| Dashami Tithi Begins | 12:50 PM, 20 October 2026 |
| Dashami Tithi Ends | 02:11 PM, 21 October 2026 |
| Vijay Muhurat | 02:00 PM to 02:46 PM, 20 October 2026 |
| Aparahna Puja Time | 01:14 PM to 03:32 PM, 20 October 2026 |
Important: Timings change slightly from city to city, and different panchang websites may show a difference of a few minutes. Please check with your local pandit or panchang for your exact city time.
VijayaDashami & Dussehra: Same Date?
Yes, Vijayadashami 2026 and Dussehra 2026 are on the same date: Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
Both names are used for the same festival, so there is no separate date for each.
Is Vijayadashami the Same as Dussehra?
Yes, Vijayadashami, Dussehra, and Dasara are different names for the same festival. It celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It also marks the triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. On this day, people perform rituals such as Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja, and Seema Avalanghan, which are done in the Aparahna time. In many places, Ayudha Puja and office puja are also done on this day.
In West Bengal, the day is also linked with Durga Puja pandals and the emotional visarjan (immersion) of the Goddess.
Why is Dussehra Also Called Vijayadashami?
"Vijaya" means victory, and "Dashami" means the tenth day. So Vijayadashami means "the tenth day of victory."
The name fits the festival well, because it celebrates Lord Ramas win over Ravana and Goddess Durgas win over Mahishasura.
FAQs
1. When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra in 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
2. When is Vijayadashami in 2026?
Vijayadashami in 2026 is also on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. It is the same day as Dussehra.
3. Is Vijayadashami the same as Dussehra?
Yes. Vijayadashami, Dussehra, and Dasara are different names for the same festival.
4. What time does Dussehra 2026 start and end?
For Delhi, the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM on 20 October 2026 and ends at 02:11 PM on 21 October 2026. The festival is observed on 20 October because Dashami is present in the afternoon of that day.
5. What time does Vijayadashami 2026 start and end?
The Dashami tithi for Vijayadashami 2026 runs from 12:50 PM on 20 October to 02:11 PM on 21 October (Delhi). The Vijay Muhurat on 20 October is 02:00 PM to 02:46 PM.
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