दशहरा (Dussehra)
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and the Government of India's holiday list. Prokerala gives 21 October, and Drik Panchang lists Bengal Vijayadashami on 21 October. It celebrates Rama's victory over Ravana and Durga's victory over Mahishasura. In 2027, Dussehra is on 9 October.
दशहरा, जिसे विजयादशमी भी कहते हैं, नई दिल्ली के लिए मंगलवार, 20 अक्टूबर 2026 को है, Drik Panchang और भारत सरकार की अवकाश सूची के अनुसार। Prokerala 21 अक्टूबर बताता है, और Drik Panchang बंगाल विजयादशमी 21 अक्टूबर को देता है। यह रावण पर श्रीराम और महिषासुर पर माँ दुर्गा की विजय का पर्व है। 2027 में दशहरा 9 अक्टूबर को है।
Dussehra, jise Vijayadashami bhi kehte hain, New Delhi ke liye Mangalvar, 20 October 2026 ko hai, Drik Panchang aur Bharat Sarkar ki holiday list ke anusaar. Prokerala 21 October batata hai, aur Drik Panchang Bengal Vijayadashami 21 October ko deta hai. Yeh Ravan par Shri Ram aur Mahishasur par Maa Durga ki vijay ka parv hai. 2027 mein Dussehra 9 October ko hai.
When is Dussehra?
Ashwin Shukla Dashami, the tenth day after Sharad Navratri begins. Its rituals are traditionally done in the afternoon (aparahna).
आश्विन शुक्ल दशमी, शारदीय नवरात्रि शुरू होने के बाद दसवाँ दिन। इसके अनुष्ठान परंपरा से दोपहर बाद (अपराह्न) में होते हैं।
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026 (New Delhi reference · North Indian (Ashwin Shukla Dashami) tradition)
Other date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 — As listed by Prokerala.
Drik Panchang lists Bengal Vijayadashami on 21 October.
Checked 2026-09-29 against: Drik Panchang — Vijayadashami 2026, New Delhi · Government of India, DoPT — Holidays in Central Government Offices, 2026 (gazetted holiday)
Dates can differ by a day in other places and traditions. For your city, check a local panchang or your temple calendar.
What to read
Puja outline
- Complete the Navratri puja and, if your family does, the Durga visarjan and Navratri parana.
नवरात्रि पूजा पूर्ण करें और परिवार में परंपरा हो तो दुर्गा विसर्जन और नवरात्रि पारण करें। - Worship Rama, and Durga as Aparajita, with flowers, a lit diya and a food offering.
फूल, जलते दीपक और नैवेद्य से श्रीराम की, और अपराजिता रूप में माँ दुर्गा की पूजा करें। - Many families do Shami Puja and Aparajita Puja in the afternoon (aparahna), as Drik Panchang describes.
Drik Panchang के अनुसार कई परिवार दोपहर बाद (अपराह्न) शमी पूजा और अपराजिता पूजा करते हैं। - Read the Ram Raksha Stotra, Sundarkand or Shri Ramchandra Kripalu.
राम रक्षा स्तोत्र, सुंदरकांड या श्री रामचंद्र कृपालु का पाठ करें। - In the evening, join your community's Ravana dahan or Ramlila, keeping a safe distance from fire and crowds.
शाम को अपने समुदाय के रावण दहन या रामलीला में शामिल हों, और आग व भीड़ से सुरक्षित दूरी रखें। - Share sweets and greet elders, a common Vijayadashami custom.
मिठाई बाँटें और बड़ों का आशीर्वाद लें; विजयादशमी की यह आम परंपरा है।
A simple household outline. Customs differ by family, region and tradition; follow your own tradition or priest where it differs.
Samagri for this puja
Practical items for the puja, linked to Valkala product guides.
Chhariya Crafts Metal Pooja Thali With Diya for Home and Office Temple Puja Item (1 Pieces, Gold)
A compact metal thali for arranging the essentials used during everyday home Aarti.
Who it may suit: Daily home Aarti, Home mandir, Festival gifting
Key facts: Metal construction, Approximately 22 cm wide, Diya included
100% Pure Brass Spoon Aarti Diya with Wooden Handle | Medium Size Pooja Diya | Traditional Oil Lamp for Temple, Prayer & Festivals | Housewarming & Indian Ceremonial Gifting
A diya or aarti lamp made with brass and wood and listed in a medium size.
Who it may suit: Daily aarti, Festive lighting, Home mandir
Key facts: Material: Brass, Material: Wood, Medium Size
BEHOMA Golden Metal Lotus Pooja Thali with Tea-Light Holder, 25.5cm
A pooja thali set made with metal, listed at 25.5 cm, in golden, and featuring a lotus design.
Who it may suit: Daily pooja, Festive rituals, Home mandir
Key facts: Material: Metal, Size: 25.5 cm, Includes: Tea-light holder
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Detailed guides
What is Dussehra?
Drik Panchang describes Vijayadashami as the celebration of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and of Goddess Durga's triumph over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, the victory of dharma over adharma. It is also called Dussehra or Dasara, and in Nepal it is celebrated as Dashain. It comes on the tenth day, after the nine nights of Sharad Navratri.
Rituals of the day
Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and Seema Avalanghan (crossing the boundary) are the traditional rituals of Vijayadashami, and Drik Panchang notes they should be done in aparahna, the afternoon part of the day. In much of North India the day ends with Ravana dahan after the Ramlila, and Drik Panchang's Navratri calendar lists Durga Visarjan on the same day.
Why 20 or 21 October
For 2026, Drik Panchang and the Government of India's holiday list give Tuesday, 20 October for New Delhi, while Prokerala gives 21 October. Drik Panchang also lists Bengal Vijayadashami on 21 October. Both dates are shown above. Follow your local panchang, temple or community for the day you observe.
How these dates were checked
The dates are for New Delhi and were checked on 29 September 2026. Dussehra 2026 is from Drik Panchang and the Government of India's 2026 holiday list, and Dussehra 2027 (9 October) from Drik Panchang, Prokerala and the 2027 list. No clock times are shown.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Tuesday, 20 October 2026 for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and the Government of India's holiday list. Prokerala gives 21 October.
When is Dussehra in 2027?
Saturday, 9 October 2027 for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang, Prokerala and the Government of India's 2027 holiday list.
Why is Dussehra celebrated?
It celebrates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura: the victory of dharma over adharma.
What is Shami Puja?
The worship of the Shami tree on Vijayadashami, one of the day's traditional rituals along with Aparajita Puja and Seema Avalanghan. Drik Panchang advises doing them in the afternoon (aparahna).
What should I read on Dussehra?
The Ram Raksha Stotra, Shri Ramchandra Kripalu, Sundarkand, Hanuman Chalisa and the Navdurga Stuti are complete options on Valkala. Valkala's Dussehra guide covers the puja in more detail.