{
  "id": 14867221,
  "title": "Dussehra 2026 date: October 20 or 21? Check Vijayadashami, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami & Ravana Dahan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/dussehra-2026-date-october-20-or-21-check-vijayadashami-durga-ashtami",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T04:30:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/dussehra-2026-date-october-20-or-21-check-vijayadashami-durga-ashtami-maha-navami-ravana-dahan-10921469/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nRegardless 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.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Dussehra 2026 set for October 20 or 21",
    "Vijayadashami marks end of Navratri festival",
    "Ravana effigies burned in northern India"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The regional diversity in observing Dussehra highlights how a single spiritual victory over evil manifests through distinct cultural traditions and localized rituals across the Indian subcontinent.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - Lifestyle",
        "title": "Dussehra 2026 date: October 20 or 21? Check Vijayadashami, Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami & Ravana Dahan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/dussehra-2026-date-october-20-or-21-check-vijayadashami-durga-ashtami-14870043",
        "published": "2026-10-16T04:30:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}