Dussehra 2026

Rama and Ravana. In most of North and Central India, Dussehra marks the day Lord Rama defeated the ten-headed Ravana, who had abducted Sita, and ended the war in Lanka. The word Dussehra comes from Dasha (ten) and Hara (defeat), the defeat of the ten-headed king.

Maa Durga and Mahishasura. In Bengal, Odisha, Assam and much of the East, Vijayadashami is the tenth day of Durga Puja, when the Goddess is said to have won her battle against the buffalo demon Mahishasura after nine nights of fighting. The nine nights are the festival of Navratri.

The Pandavas and the Shami tree. The Mahabharata tells how the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree before their year of living in disguise, and took them back on Vijayadashami. This is why many families worship the Shami tree and their own tools and weapons on this day.

• North India: Ramlila performances of the Ramayana end on Dussehra, and giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burnt at dusk.
• Maharashtra and Gujarat: families worship the Shami tree and exchange its leaves (apta leaves in Maharashtra) as symbols of gold, greeting one another with blessings of prosperity.
• Karnataka: Mysuru's Dasara is a royal ten-day festival that ends on Vijayadashami with a grand procession.
• South India: Ayudha Puja, around Navami, honours books, tools and vehicles, and on Vijayadashami many parents begin a child's first lessons (Vidyarambham), considering it an auspicious day to start learning.
• Bengal and the East: the idols of Durga are immersed, and married women play Sindoor Khela, applying vermilion to one another.
• Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and continues for a week.

Customs differ by region and family. This is a simple home version. Ask your family priest if your tradition follows a fuller method.

1. Bathe in the morning, wear clean clothes and clean the house and the puja space.
2. Do the main puja in the Aparahna window (1:14 PM to 3:30 PM in Delhi), while Dashami is in effect.
3. Set up a clean spot with pictures of Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, or of Maa Durga. Light a lamp and offer flowers, akshat (unbroken rice), kumkum, fruits and sweets.
4. Shastra puja: place your tools, books, instruments, vehicle keys or, if your family has them, weapons on a cloth and worship them with flowers and tilak. Business owners often worship their ledgers and equipment.
5. Shami puja: worship a Shami tree, or a few Shami leaves, with water, flowers and akshat. Take the leaves home and place them with your valuables, or give them to elders as a blessing.
6. Read a Durga or Rama stuti, the Hanuman Chalisa, or sing the aarti, then offer prasad to the family.
7. In the evening, visit a Ramlila ground or a temple, and meet and greet family and friends.

The Vijay Muhurat is a short window on Vijayadashami considered especially auspicious for starting a new venture, signing an agreement or beginning a journey, because the day itself stands for victory. In 2026 it is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM in New Delhi.

The wider Aparahna period is the best time for the puja itself, and Dashami runs for most of 20 October and into the afternoon of 21 October. Because of that, Dussehra is observed on 20 October, when the Dashami tithi is present in the afternoon.