Dussehra 2026 date: October 20 or 21? Check Vijayadashami, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami & Ravana Dahan

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This year, Dussehra is set to be celebrated on either October 20 or 21, 2026, with the auspicious Vijay Muhurat falling between 02:00 PM and 02:46 PM.

The festival marks the end of Navratri, a nine-day celebration that commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. However, in certain parts of India, the day is also observed as a celebration of Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

In northern India, the highlight of the festival is the burning of effigies representing Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna, symbolizing the defeat of evil. Conversely, in West Bengal and eastern India, the day marks the conclusion of Durga Puja, with devotees bidding farewell to the goddess through grand processions and idol immersion.

In Mysuru, Karnataka, the grandeur of Dussehra is reflected in the Mysuru Dasara procession, featuring a meticulously decorated elephant parade, cultural performances, and a showcase of the illustrious Wadiyar dynasty traditions. In Maharashtra, people exchange apta leaves, symbolizing prosperity, and consider this day favorable for embarking on new ventures or beginning scholarly pursuits.

Regardless of regional variations, Dussehra's overarching theme remains the same: the victory of righteousness, truth, and virtue over arrogance, injustice, and evil. As the festival draws near, devotees prepare to observe sacred rituals such as Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja, and Seema Avalanghan, all of which are traditionally performed during the Aparahna period as prescribed by Vedic time divisions.