Every year, the festival of Vijayadashami popularly known as Dussehra arrives as a culminating moment of triumph, hope and renewal. Marking the victory of righteousness over injustice, this festival has deep mythological roots and broad cultural resonance. Homes are adorned, effigies are burnt, processions are held, and the air hums with collective cheer and spiritual reflection. In 2026, with the calendar and timing clearly set, devotees across India can prepare to observe the day with devotion, clarity and meaning.
Date & Shubh Muhurat
According to the panchāng published on DrikPanchang for the New Delhi / NCT region in India:
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami) will be observed on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
- The auspicious “Vijay Muhurat” — the prime time for worship and ritual — is from 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM on that day.
- Additional auspicious time for “Aparahna Puja” (afternoon worship) is from 01:14 PM to 03:30 PM.
- The Dashami (10th) tithi begins at 12:50 PM on 20 October 2026 and ends at around 14:11 PM on 21 October 2026.
Thus, for 2026, planning to perform the puja, conduct the rituals and participate in the celebrations during the afternoon window is advisable for maximum alignment with the auspicious moment. Do note that local city timings may vary slightly; consulting your local panchāng is still recommended.
Significance of Dussehra
Triumph of Good Over Evil
Dussehra has dual mythological dimensions: in many northern and western regions, it commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana — symbolizing the restoration of dharma (righteousness) in the epic Ramayana. In eastern and some southern traditions, it marks the culmination of Durga Puja — the goddess Durga’s triumph over the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. Either way, the festival’s essence is the same: light dispels darkness, virtue overtakes vice, hope overrides despair.
Cultural & Social Renewal
Dussehra is not just a one-day event; it sits at the climax of a broader festival cycle (such as Navratri and Durga Puja). The date also aligns with seasonal transitions — the end of monsoon and the arrival of autumn harvest in many regions. It becomes a moment of communal rejoicing, ritual cleansing, and new beginnings.
Rituals, Symbolism & Practice
Some of the hallmark practices on Dussehra include:
- Effigy-burning of Ravana: In many parts of India, towering effigies of Ravana (and sometimes his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad) are set ablaze, symbolising the destruction of arrogance, evil and ignorance.
- Shami Puja / Apta Puja / Seema Avalanghan: Certain regional customs involve worshipping the Shami tree, offering apta leaves (symbolising gold) and performing a boundary-crossing ritual (seemollanghan) to mark courage and renewal.
- Worship of Tools/Weapons/Books: On this day, many people perform Ayudha Puja—worshipping instruments of work, tools, books and vehicles—inviting their safe and fruitful usage in the coming year.
- Festive Social Engagement: People wear new clothes, exchange sweets, attend processions, visit family and friends, and carry forward the spirit of togetherness.
How to Observe on 20 October 2026
- Clean and decorate your home or place of worship early in the day.
- Identify the Vijay Muhurat window (14:19–15:05) and plan your ritual within or near that period. You can also use the broader Aparahna window (13:33–15:52) for flexibility.
- In the afternoon, set up the puja: light lamps, offer incense, chant mantras such as “Om Vijaya Vishnave Namah” or “Om Raya Ramabhaye Namah” (depending on regional tradition), offer flowers and sweets, and invoke the victory of the divine over fear and ignorance.
- If your region practices it, witness or participate in the effigy-burning event later in the evening, using it as symbolic release and renewal.
- Visit friends or family, give greetings, share sweets, and reflect on what “victory” means for you personally — perhaps victory over habit, fear, procrastination or negative tendencies.
- Take the spirit of Dussehra beyond one day: begin a new project, start a spiritual routine, mend a relationship, or give back to the community—vowing to live more in alignment with dharma.
Why This Festival Matters
In today’s world of constant change and myriad challenges, Dussehra offers a universal message of hope: that no matter how powerful darkness may seem, light persists; no matter how entrenched the problem, transformation is possible. The clear date and muhurat for 2026 give us a practical anchor: Tuesday, 20 October, afternoon window from ~2:19 PM. But the deeper invitation is to use this day symbolically—to affirm our pledge to live wisely, kindly, courageously.
May Dussehra 2026 bring you renewed strength, clarity of purpose, and joy in the triumph of your better self. Happy Vijayadashami!