Hindu festival · computed for New Delhi
Dussehra 2026 Date and Aparahna Puja Time
In 2026, Dussehra in New Delhi falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Vijayadashami — the victory of Rama, and of Durga, on the tenth day.
Aparahna Puja Time: Aparāhṇa: the fourth fifth of the daytime, while the tithi lasts.
How the date is decided
Ashvin Shukla Dashami, on the day the Dashami covers the afternoon (aparāhṇa), when the Vijaya muhūrta falls. If it touches the afternoon on two days, the first of them (the Dharmasindhu rule most almanacs follow).
This year the tithi touches the required time on two days; the tie-break in the rule above picks this one.
Dates for the next few years (New Delhi)
| Year | Date | Aparahna Puja Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, 20 October Shukla Dashami: 12:51 PM, 20 Oct → 2:12 PM, 21 Oct | 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM |
| 2027 | Saturday, 9 October Shukla Dashami: 9:02 AM, 9 Oct → 11:41 AM, 10 Oct | 1:18 PM – 3:38 PM |
| 2028 | Wednesday, 27 September Shukla Dashami: 8:09 AM, 27 Sep → 9:56 AM, 28 Sep | 1:24 PM – 3:48 PM |
See the day's full panchang for New Delhi →
In your city
The tithi changes at the same instant everywhere, but sunrise, sunset, midnight and moonrise are local — so the day a festival falls on can differ between cities, especially abroad.
| Date | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Aparahna Puja Time | 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM |
Cities with a different date in 2026
- Sydney: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
About the festival
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, falls on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashvin, the day after Navratri ends. In the north it celebrates Rama's victory over Ravana: Ramlila performances end and towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are burned at dusk. In Bengal and the east it is Bijoya Dashami, when Durga images are immersed and families exchange sweets and greetings.
It is considered one of the most auspicious days of the year for beginnings. Tools, books, vehicles and instruments are worshipped (Ayudha Puja falls the day before in the south); children begin learning in Vidyarambham ceremonies in Kerala; people exchange leaves of the shami or apta tree as "gold" in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Mysuru's Dasara procession and Kullu's week-long gathering of village deities are among the best known regional celebrations.
The rites are done in the afternoon (aparāhṇa), when the Vijaya muhūrta falls; the date is the day on which Dashami covers it.
Common questions
When is Dussehra 2026?
In New Delhi, Dussehra 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Shukla Dashami: 12:51 PM, 20 Oct → 2:12 PM, 21 Oct.
What is the Aparahna Puja Time for Dussehra 2026?
For New Delhi: 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM. It is computed from the city's own sunrise and sunset, so other cities differ by a few minutes or more.
Is Dussehra on the same date in every city?
Mostly, but not everywhere: in 2026 the date differs in Sydney, because local sunrise, sunset or moonrise falls on the other side of the tithi change there.
Why is Dussehra sometimes listed on two different days?
Dashami can run from one afternoon into the next. The traditional rule takes the day on which Dashami covers the afternoon (aparāhṇa); when it touches both afternoons, the one it covers more fully. Some calendars instead use the Dashami at sunrise, which can give the following day.