Dussehra 2026 and 2027: date, muhurat and meaning
Quick answer
Dussehra 2027 falls on Saturday, 9 October 2027 (Delhi). Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, falls on the tenth day of the bright half of Ashwin and celebrates good triumphing over evil through Ravan dahan, Shami puja, Ayudha puja and Durga visarjan.
Key takeaways
- 2026: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- 2027: Saturday, 9 October 2027
- Each year's section explains which rule gave the date and how the muhurat was cut to the tithi.
- All times are for Delhi; abroad the tithi follows local time, so the date can differ by a day.
What is Dussehra?
Two great stories meet on this day. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama defeats the demon king Ravana in Lanka and rescues Sita. In the Devi tradition, Goddess Durga ends her nine-day battle by slaying Mahishasura on the tenth day. So in much of North India the day is about Rama's victory, while in Bengal and eastern India it is the emotional farewell to Durga as she returns to her husband's home.
The Mahabharata adds a third thread. During their year in hiding, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a shami tree and retrieved them on Vijayadashami before going on to victory. That is why the shami tree and weapons are worshipped today. The day is treated as naturally auspicious, a good time to begin learning, launch a business or make an important purchase.
How Dussehra is observed
In North India, Ramlila, a folk staging of the Ramayana, runs through Navratri, and on Dussehra evening giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad are burned in open grounds to cheers and fireworks. Fairs spring up with swings and jalebis. In Maharashtra, people exchange leaves of the apta or shami tree as 'gold' and seek blessings from elders, and many homes worship the Aparajita plant in the afternoon.
In Bengal, married women play sindoor khela, smearing vermilion on each other, before Durga's idol is immersed. In Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Ayudha puja honours tools, vehicles, books and machines. Mysuru holds a royal procession with decorated elephants, and Kullu in Himachal begins a week-long fair where village deities gather. Diaspora communities in Fiji, Trinidad, the UK and North America stage Ramlilas and burn smaller effigies.
Dussehra 2026: date and muhurat (Delhi)
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
On this day Dashami (Shukla Paksha) covers more of aparahna (the fourth fifth of daylight).
- Tithi
- 20 Oct, 12:50 PM – 21 Oct, 2:12 PM
- Vijay muhurat (11th muhurta of the day, within Dashami)
- 1:59 PM – 2:44 PM
- Aparahna puja (within Dashami)
- 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:25 AM / 5:47 PM
- Rahu kaal (this day)
- 2:56 PM – 4:22 PM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 1:59 PM – 2:45 PM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM
Dussehra is kept on the day when Dashami tithi covers aparahna, the afternoon period that forms the fourth of five equal parts of daylight. Around this time falls a short span called Vijay muhurat, the 'time of victory', believed to bring success to anything begun in it. Shami puja, Aparajita puja and the ritual crossing of boundaries (seemollanghan) are ideally done then, while Ravan dahan usually takes place after sunset.
Dussehra 2027: date and muhurat (Delhi)
Saturday, 9 October 2027
On this day Dashami (Shukla Paksha) covers more of aparahna (the fourth fifth of daylight).
Central government holiday (Delhi/New Delhi, DoPT): Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Saturday 9 October 2027.
- Tithi
- 9 Oct, 9:02 AM – 10 Oct, 11:41 AM
- Vijay muhurat (11th muhurta of the day, within Dashami)
- 2:05 PM – 2:51 PM
- Aparahna puja (within Dashami)
- 1:18 PM – 3:38 PM
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:18 AM / 5:59 PM
- Rahu kaal (this day)
- 9:13 AM – 10:41 AM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 2:05 PM – 2:52 PM
Full period (before cutting to the tithi): 1:18 PM – 3:38 PM
Dussehra wishes
As the effigies burn tonight, may every fear and obstacle in your life turn to ash. Wishing you a joyful and victorious Vijayadashami.Send this on WhatsApp
More wishes will be added here soon.
Related festivals and lists
Frequently asked questions
What is Vijay muhurat on Dussehra?
Vijay muhurat is a short window in the afternoon, traditionally counted as the eleventh of the fifteen muhurtas into which daylight is divided. Anything begun in it is believed to end in success. On Dussehra people use it for Shami puja, weapon worship, signing deals, starting a journey or beginning a new venture. Its exact timing depends on local sunrise and sunset, so check your city's panchang.
What time is Ravan dahan done?
Effigies are usually burned after sunset, during the evening pradosh period, as the climax of the Ramlila. Organisers in each town fix and announce the exact time in advance. From the calendar's point of view, the main concern is that Dashami tithi should still be running. If you attend, keep a safe distance from the effigies and fireworks, especially when you have children with you.
Why is the shami tree worshipped on Dussehra?
The Pandavas hid their weapons in a shami tree during their year of hiding and recovered them on Vijayadashami. Some traditions also say Rama worshipped the shami before marching to Lanka. The tree has come to stand for victory and prosperity. In Maharashtra and Karnataka, people exchange shami or apta leaves as symbolic gold and touch the feet of elders for blessings.
What is Ayudha puja?
Ayudha puja is a day of gratitude for the tools that support our lives and work. In South India it usually falls on Navami, the day before Dussehra, and in some places on Dashami itself. People clean their tools, vehicles, books, computers and machines, mark them with turmeric and kumkum, offer flowers and pray. Work with them resumes the next day, often as a fresh start.
Is Dussehra a good day to buy a car or start a business?
Yes. In Maharashtrian tradition, Vijayadashami is one of the three and a half most auspicious days of the year, called sade teen muhurat, when no separate auspicious time needs to be chosen. Many people buy vehicles, gold or property and open new businesses. In Kerala and parts of South India, young children are introduced to writing in a ceremony called Vidyarambham.
What is sindoor khela in Durga Puja?
On Vijayadashami, the last day of Durga Puja, married women offer vermilion (sindoor) and sweets to the goddess to bid her farewell, then smear sindoor on each other's foreheads and cheeks. This is sindoor khela. The goddess is believed to be leaving her parental home to return to Kailash. The idol is then taken for immersion, with cries promising that she will come again next year.