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Dussehra 2026: Why It's Celebrated & How India Marks It
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the 10th day of the Navaratri festival, marking the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. In 2026, Dussehra falls on October 20th. This festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with vibrant processions, the burning of effigies of Ravana, and various cultural performances across India.
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Table of Content
When is Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra in 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20th. This Hindu festival marks the victory of good over evil, symbolized by Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana.
Dussehra 2026 Important Date and Muhurat
| Event | Date | Muhurat |
|---|---|---|
| Dussehra (Vijayadashami) | October 20, 2026 | 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM |
(Note: Muhurat timings may vary based on local traditions and astrologers’ calculations.)
Story of Dussehra Vijayadashami Celebrations
Dussehra has numerous stories highlighting the reason behind the festival. North India celebrates Dussehra as per the story of Rama from Ramayana. Rama was the prince of the Ayodhya kingdom who had been banished. He and his brother Lakshmana resided in the forest as exiles, together with Rama’s wife, Sita. The evil ruler of Lanka, Ravana, kidnapped Sita one day. To rescue her, Rama stormed Lanka with the help of Lakshmana and an army of monkeys.
The two armies engaged in a furious conflict for several days. It was incredibly challenging for Rama to defeat the mighty Ravana. He, therefore, prayed for nine days to nine different facets of the goddess Durga and grew strong enough to overcome Ravana.
Rama’s triumph over Ravana is commemorated during the ten-day festival of Dussehra. A traditional art form known as Ramlila involves reenacting the life tale of Rama. Millions of performers perform the Ramlila in every nook and cranny on Dussehra. Traditionally, only men participated in the Ramlila, but now women also act in them.
The tenth day marks the play’s last act on stage and ends with firecrackers illuminating the night sky and burning the enormous paper effigies of Ravana, his son and brother. An artist portraying Rama shoots a burning arrow to the navel of the effigy with which the good burn the evil, and the day comes to an end.
Significance of Dussehra
- Good Over Evil: Dussehra celebrates Lord Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana and Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura two parallel legends unified by the same underlying triumph.
- Timing: It falls on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashvina, immediately following the nine nights of Navratri.
- Name Origin: The word Dussehra comes from Sanskrit terms meaning “ten” and “defeat,” referring to Ravana’s ten heads.
How is Dussehra Celebrated?
- Northern & Western India: People watch Ramlila plays and burn huge paper effigies of Ravana.
- Southern India: Homes display doll arrangements called Golu, and people pray to their tools and books during Ayudha Puja.
- Eastern India: It marks the final day of Durga Puja, when idols of the goddess are immersed in water.
- Mysore, Karnataka: Celebrated with a grand royal procession (Mysore Dasara) featuring decorated elephant
Top Destinations to Visit During Dussehra 2026
Dussehra is a major Hindu festival that is celebrated all over India. It is a time of joy and celebration, and people often travel to different parts of the country to participate in the festivities. There are many places to celebrate Dussehra in India, but some top destinations include Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Each of these cities has its unique way of celebrating the festival, and you can expect to see various activities taking place.
| City | Signature Celebration | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | Durga Puja | Elaborately decorated pandals across the city, the Dhunuchi dance, and immersion of Durga idols marking the festival’s close. |
| Varanasi | Ramlila at Ramnagar Fort | A centuries-old, large-scale reenactment of Rama’s story, staged across sets representing locations like Ayodhya and Lanka. |
| Mysore | Jamboo Savari Procession | Goddess Chamundeshwari’s idol is carried through the city on a 750-kg Golden Howdah mounted on a decorated lead elephant. |
| Ahmedabad | Navratri Garba & Dandiya | Nine nights of traditional folk dance leading up to Dussehra, culminating in worship of the garbo, a symbol of Shakti. |
| Hyderabad | Bathukamma | A nine-day floral festival honouring Goddess Gauri, running from Mahalaya Amavasya to Durgashtami, marked by flower arrangements and dance. |
Dussehra 2026 – Do’s and Don’ts
Dussehra 2026 is on its way to providing us with the strength to demolish our inner negativity. There are certain dos and don’ts that an individual must adhere to in order to enjoy the day to the fullest.
Do’s:
- Walk on the path of truthfulness
- Perform Puja and Yajna
- Follow the path of Dharma
- Cooperate with the police
- Minimise the pollution caused
Don’ts:
- Don’t humiliate or insult anyone
- Stay away from bad things
- Do not cut trees
- Do not harm animals
- Maintain distance from Ravana effigies
Written By
Reviewed ByLast Updated: 22nd September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Dussehra celebrated for ten days?
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated on the tenth day of the Navratri festival to commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
Is Dussehra and Diwali the same?
No, The festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman to Ayodhya after they killed Ravana twenty days after Dussehra.
Which day of Navratri is Vijayadashami?
The tenth day of Navratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
Is Navratri and Vijayadashami the same?
No, Navratri and Vijayadashami are not the same. Navratri is a 9-day festival where Goddess Durga will be worshipped in her avatars. At the same time, Vijayadashami is the tenth day when Goddess Durga wins the nine-day long battle and kills Mahishasura.
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Why is Dussehra celebrated?
Dussehra marks the victory of good over evil, commemorated through two parallel traditions: Lord Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana in North India, and Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura in eastern and southern India.
What happens on Dussehra?
Celebrations include the burning of Ravana’s effigy (along with those of his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkarna), Ramlila performances reenacting Rama’s story, and in Bengal, Sindoor Khela and the immersion of Durga idols.
Which are the best places to celebrate Dussehra in India?
Kolkata is known for its Durga Puja pandals, Varanasi for its centuries-old Ramlila at Ramnagar Fort, Mysore for the Jamboo Savari elephant procession carrying Goddess Chamundeshwari, and Ahmedabad for Garba and Dandiya during the preceding Navratri nights.
Is Dussehra the same across India?
No. While the underlying theme of good triumphing over evil is shared, the specific tradition varies by region North India centers on the Rama-Ravana legend, while eastern and southern India emphasize Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
