Dussehra 2026

When Is Dussehra in 2026?

In 2026, Dussehra falls on October 20. The observance lasts 1 day. Because Dussehra follows a 10th day (Dashami) of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month (Hindu lunar calendar); the day after Navratri ends, the exact Gregorian date shifts each year. The Ashwin Shukla Dashami tithi determines the date; it follows Navratri by 9 nights. In Nepal it is celebrated as Dashain, the country's biggest festival, over 15 days. The exact tithi can place Dussehra a day earlier or later than the Navratri count in some panchangams. Since Dussehra's date changes from year to year, here are the dates for the next five years so you can plan ahead: Year Date 2026 October 20 2027 October 10 2028 September 29 2029 October 18 2030 October 8

What Time Does Dussehra Start in Your Time Zone?

Dussehra falls on the 10th day (Dashami) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashvin, the day after the end of Navratri. In 2026, Dussehra falls on October 17. The festival is observed during the day, with the central rituals — the burning of Ravana's effigy in North India, the immersion of Durga in the East, the Mysore procession — taking place in the afternoon and evening. Because Dussehra follows Navratri, the date is calculated by the same lunisolar rules. The 10th day after the new moon of Ashvin is the astronomical anchor. Diaspora Hindu communities observe Dussehra on the same Gregorian date as India, with major celebrations in cities like Leicester (UK), Edison (New Jersey), and Toronto — though the Ram Lila performances and Ravana burnings are typically held on the nearest weekend. The table below shows the observance date for Dussehra in major time zones around the world: Location Observance Date Time Zone New York, USA October 20 EST/EDT (UTC-5/-4) London, UK October 20 GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1) New Delhi, India October 20 IST (UTC+5:30) Sydney, Australia October 20 AEST/AEDT (UTC+10/+11) Dubai, UAE October 20 GST (UTC+4)

The Story Behind Dussehra

Dussehra — also called Vijayadashami or Dasara — is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the 10th day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashvin, marking the end of Navratri and Durga Puja. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil in two of Hinduism's most beloved narratives: Lord Rama's defeat of the demon king Ravana, and the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. In the Ramayana, Ravana — the ten-headed demon king of Lanka — had abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Rama, with the help of the monkey god Hanuman and an army of vanaras (monkey-people), built a bridge to Lanka, fought a great war, and finally killed Ravana on the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashvin. This day is celebrated as Dussehra — the day of Ravana's defeat. The name "Dussehra" comes from the Sanskrit Dasha Hara, meaning "removal of ten" — referring to Ravana's ten heads. In eastern India, the same day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, marking the end of Durga Puja and the goddess's victory over Mahishasura. The day is bittersweet — the goddess's victory is celebrated, but it is also the day she leaves Earth to return to her husband Shiva's home in the Himalayas. The immersion of the Durga idols in rivers and seas on Vijayadashami is accompanied by tears and the chant "Asche bochor abar hobe" — "next year she will come again."

How Dussehra Is Celebrated

Dussehra is celebrated in dramatically different ways across India. In North India, the central tradition is the Ram Lila — a multi-day theatrical performance of the Ramayana, culminating on Dussehra night with the burning of towering effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad. The effigies, which can reach 60 feet or more, are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight to the cheers of crowds. The most famous Ram Lila is held in Delhi, but the burning of Ravana's effigy is a tradition across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. In Mysore, Karnataka, Dussehra (called Dasara locally) is the city's biggest festival, celebrated with a 10-day celebration that culminates in the Jumbo Savari — a grand procession with decorated elephants, musicians, and dancers through the city. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with 100,000 light bulbs, and the procession includes an idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari carried on the back of the lead elephant. The Mysore Dasara draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from across India and abroad. In Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Dussehra is celebrated with a week-long fair that draws deities from villages across the Kullu Valley, all converging on the town for a unique gathering of gods. In West Bengal and the eastern states, Vijayadashami is the day of Durga immersion — families carry their idols to the river in processions accompanied by music, dance, and the smearing of sindoor (vermilion) on married women. In South India, the day is observed as Ayudha Puja, when tools, vehicles, books, and implements are worshipped, and Saraswati Puja, when books are placed before the goddess of knowledge for her blessing. Why Does Dussehra Move Every Year? Dussehra is fixed on Dashami of the bright fortnight of Ashvin in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The calendar's leap-month system keeps the festival anchored in September-October. The earliest Dussehra can fall is September 22; the latest is October 22. The 10-day gap between the start of Navratri (the first day of the bright fortnight) and Dussehra (the 10th day) means the two festivals are calculated together. The full moon of Ashvin falls six days after Dussehra, marking the festival of Sharad Purnima. The 19-year Metonic cycle means Dussehra dates nearly repeat every 19 years.

Calendar Calculation

10th day (Dashami) of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month (Hindu lunar calendar); the day after Navratri ends

Traveling for Dussehra? Where to Go

Dussehra is a major travel period across India, with the most famous celebrations drawing visitors from across the country. Mysore Dasara is the largest, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists to see the illuminated palace and the Jumbo Savari procession. The Ram Lila in Delhi, especially at the Red Fort grounds, is a major attraction. The Kullu Dussehra, with its gathering of village deities, draws both pilgrims and tourists. Hotels in these cities book out weeks in advance of the festival. Top destinations for this holiday: Mysuru: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Delhi: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Kullu: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Kathmandu: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. Varanasi: — A popular destination with significant celebrations and cultural events. If you're planning to travel for dussehra, compare hotel rates and book early — accommodations in Mysuru fill up weeks before the festival. [Search hotels for Dussehra travel →]

Did You Know? Dussehra Facts & Trivia

Dussehra takes its name from the Sanskrit "Dasha Hara" — meaning "removal of ten" — referring to the ten heads of Ravana, the demon king defeated by Lord Rama. The burning of towering effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad is the iconic North Indian tradition. The Mysore Dasara — celebrated with a 10-day festival culminating in a grand procession (Jumbo Savari) with decorated elephants through the city — is one of the most elaborate Dussehra celebrations. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with 100,000 light bulbs for the occasion. The Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh is unique in that it does not celebrate Rama's victory over Ravana. Instead, it celebrates a gathering of deities from villages across the Kullu Valley, who converge on the town for a week-long fair — a tradition dating back to the 17th century. In eastern India, Dussehra (Vijayadashami) marks the immersion of the Durga idols after the 5-day Durga Puja. The immersion symbolizes the goddess's return to her celestial abode, and the chant "Asche bochor abar hobe" — "next year she will come again" — captures the bittersweet emotion of the day.