Vijayadashami 2026
Vijayadashami (Dussehra) 2026: date, Vijay Muhurat and puja time
Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Here is what the day means, the muhurat for New Delhi and how it is celebrated.
What Vijayadashami means
Vijayadashami means "the tenth day of victory". It comes right after the nine nights of Navratri, on Dashami tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha. In North India it is known as Dussehra, from "dasha-hara", the defeat of the ten-headed Ravana.
Why Dussehra is celebrated
Two victories are remembered on this day. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama killed Ravana in Lanka and rescued Sita. In the Devi Mahatmya, Maa Durga killed Mahishasura after nine days of battle. Both stand for the same idea: good wins over evil, however strong evil looks.
Vijayadashami 2026 muhurat (New Delhi)
Timings are calculated for New Delhi in Indian Standard Time. Tithi start and end times are the same moment across India, but sunrise, sunset, moonrise, Rahu Kaal and muhurats change with your city. Other panchangs may differ by a minute or two.
The Vijay Muhurat, the eleventh muhurat of the day, is considered the best time to begin new work, buy something important, or set out on a journey. The Aparahna period is the traditional time for Aparajita puja and Shami puja. Rahu Kaal is a daily period that many families avoid for starting a puja or new work. On 20 October it starts at 2:56 PM, so finish the puja inside the Vijay Muhurat if you prefer to avoid it.
How it is celebrated
- Ravan Dahan: after the Ramlila ends, giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burnt after sunset, often with fireworks.
- Shami and Aparajita puja: the Shami tree and Goddess Aparajita are worshipped in the afternoon. In Maharashtra and Karnataka, apta or shami leaves are exchanged as "gold".
- Shastra puja: weapons, tools and vehicles are worshipped, continuing the Ayudha Puja of Navami.
- Vidyarambham: in Kerala and parts of South India, young children write their first letters on this day.
- Durga Visarjan: the household kalash and idols are given farewell. In Bengal, Bijoya Dashami and immersion fall on 21 October. See Durga Puja.
- Khetri: the barley sprouts grown since Ghatasthapana are offered and shared.
