Dussehra 2026 Date — Wednesday, October 21, 2026
When is Dussehra in 2026? Dussehra 2026 falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Observance: Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Dussehra 2026 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana | Sun, 11 October 2026 | |
| Maha Ashtami | Mon, 19 October 2026 | |
| Maha Navami | Tue, 20 October 2026 | |
| Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) | Wed, 21 October 2026 | Main day |
Why we celebrate
Victory of Durga over Mahishasura and Rama over Ravana — triumph of dharma.
How it is celebrated
Durga visarjan, sindoor khela, Ravana effigy burning, Ayudha puja, Vijayadashami processions.
Puja timing
Visarjan and shami puja during Vijay muhurta on Dashami.
Foods & offerings
Feast after visarjan; sweets exchanged.
Rituals
- Final Devi puja and visarjan to water.
- Exchange leaves of shami tree for gold (symbolic).
- Begin new learning or business.
Dussehra dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thu, 2 October 2025 |
| 2026 | Wed, 21 October 2026 |
| 2027 | Sun, 10 October 2027 |
| 2028 | Thu, 28 September 2028 |
| 2029 | Tue, 16 October 2029 |
Hindu festivals around Dussehra 2026
- Durga Puja 2026 date — Mon, 19 October 2026
- Sharad Purnima 2026 date — Mon, 26 October 2026
- Karva Chauth 2026 date — Thu, 29 October 2026
- Sharad Navratri 2026 date — Sun, 11 October 2026
- Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 date — Sat, 10 October 2026
- Dhanteras 2026 date — Sat, 7 November 2026
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2026 date — Sun, 8 November 2026
- Diwali 2026 date — Mon, 9 November 2026
- Govardhan Puja 2026 date — Tue, 10 November 2026
- Bhai Dooj 2026 date — Wed, 11 November 2026
- Chhath Puja 2026 date — Sun, 15 November 2026
- Skanda Sashti 2026 date — Sun, 15 November 2026
