Festivals
Dussehra 2026: Date, Vijayadashami Muhurat, Significance & Puja Vidhi
Dussehra 2026: Date, Vijayadashami Muhurat, Significance & Puja Vidhi
According to the Hindu Lunar Calendar, Vijayadashami—popularly known as Dussehra—marks the glorious victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. Celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashvina month, this festival coincides with the culmination of the magnificent nine-night festival, Sharad Navratri. It reinforces the eternal truth that righteousness (Dharma) always triumphs over evil. From burning the effigies of Ravana to performing Ayudha Puja and Shami Puja, the rituals usher in a new era of positivity and success.
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Perform Ayudha Puja, Vehicle Puja, or Office Puja with strict Vedic rituals. SmartPuja provides experienced Pandits in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more.
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When is Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026?
Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. It marks the end of Sharad Navratri and the beginning of the Diwali festive season (occurring 20 days later).
🗓️ Dussehra 2026 Puja Muhurat & Tithi
| Event | Date & Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Vijayadashami Date | October 20, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| Vijay Muhurat | 02:00 PM to 02:46 PM |
| Aparahna Puja Time | 01:14 PM to 03:32 PM |
| Dashami Tithi Begins | 12:50 PM on Oct 20, 2026 |
| Dashami Tithi Ends | 02:11 PM on Oct 21, 2026 |
*Note: Muhurat timings may vary slightly based on your city (Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.). Consult our Pandits for the exact local time.
Significance: Victory of Good Over Evil
1. The Legend of Lord Rama: The most famous legend comes from the epic Ramayana. Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana on this day after a fierce battle to rescue Goddess Sita. This victory is celebrated by burning colossal effigies of Ravana (Ravana Dahan).
2. The Legend of Goddess Durga: Another powerful legend is the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. After a ten-day battle, the Goddess defeated the demon, restoring peace to the universe. This is celebrated as Bijoya Dashami in Bengal.
How to Perform Dussehra Puja at Home?
Step 1: Ayudha Puja (Worship of Tools)
Clean your tools, books, laptops, and vehicles. Apply sandal paste (Chandan) and Kumkum dots. Offer flowers and pray for success in your profession and studies for the coming year.
Step 2: Shami Puja
Worship the Shami Tree (Prosopis cineraria). It is believed that the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their exile. Lighting a diya under this tree on Dussehra is considered highly auspicious.
Step 3: Aparajita Puja
Worship Goddess Aparajita (the Invincible One) during the Aparahna muhurat to seek victory in all your ventures. Offer blue flowers (Aparajita flowers) if available.
Dussehra Do’s and Don’ts
- DO: Perform Ayudha Puja for your vehicles and work tools.
- DO: Eat traditional sweets like Jalebi, Fafda, or Paal Payasam.
- DON’T: Engage in negative thoughts or anger; it is a day of victory and positivity.
- DON’T: Keep your house dirty; clean and decorate the entrance with Rangoli.
Why Book a Pandit from SmartPuja?
Dussehra rituals like Ayudha Puja and Office Puja require specific Vedic procedures to ensure prosperity for the coming year. SmartPuja provides:
- ✅ Verified Vedic Pandits with 15+ years of experience.
- ✅ Language Preference: Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, etc.
- ✅ Complete Samagri: We bring everything; you just arrange the Prasad.
- ✅ Corporate Puja: Specialized packages for Office Ayudha Puja.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The Dashami Tithi begins at 12:50 PM on Oct 20.
The best time for Ayudha Puja is during the Vijay Muhurat (02:00 PM to 02:46 PM) or the Aparahna Time (01:14 PM to 03:32 PM) on October 20, 2026.
It is a tradition, especially in Gujarat, to break the Navratri fast with Jalebi (sweet) and Fafda (salty). Mythologically, it is believed Lord Rama loved a sweet called ‘Shashkuli’ (similar to Jalebi).
