Mayur Pankh — cosmic peacock featherAdhyatmas

🪔 Hindu Festival · Ashwin Maas

Dussehra 2026

दशहरा

Also known as: Vijayadashami · Dasara · Dashain

Date 2026

Sunday, 11 October 2026

Tithi

Ashwin Shukla Dashami (10th day of bright fortnight)

Duration

1 Day

What is Dussehra?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana after the 9-day battle — and also Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura on the tenth day. 'Dasha-hara' means the remover of ten evils (the ten heads of Ravana represent ten vices). It is also the day Pandavas retrieved their weapons after 13 years of exile.

📖 Source: Valmiki Ramayana — Lord Rama's victory over Ravana; Devi Mahatmyam — Durga's victory over Mahishasura

How to Celebrate Dussehra — Rituals

  • 🪔Burning of Ravana's effigy — symbolising the destruction of the ten evils (dasha + hara = remover of ten)
  • 🪔Watching or performing Ramlila — theatrical enactment of Rama's life ending in Ravana's defeat
  • 🪔Shami tree puja and exchange of shami leaves as gold (symbol of victory)
  • 🪔Astra puja — worship of weapons, vehicles, and tools of one's profession
  • 🪔Visiting Devi temples for Vijayadashami blessings
  • 🪔Beginning new ventures, travel, and education — the day is considered auspicious for new starts

Regional Variations

north india

Burning of massive effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada (Ramlila culmination)

mysore

Dasara — grand royal procession with caparisoned elephants; Mysore palace lit with 100,000 lights

himachal

Kullu Dussehra — a 7-day fair with Raghunath ji's chariot procession begins on this day

west bengal

Vijayadashami — Durga Puja concludes; sindoor khela and immersion of Durga idols

Associated Deities

🏹 rama🕉️ durga🕉️ saraswati

Sacred Places

🏰 ayodhya🕯️ varanasi

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ When is Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Sunday, October 11, 2026. It is the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin month, immediately after Navratri.
❓ Why are Ravana's effigies burnt on Dussehra?
Ravana's ten heads represent ten vices — lust, ego, anger, greed, pride, jealousy, selfishness, cruelty, injustice, and attachment. Burning his effigy on Dussehra symbolises the destruction of these evils within us.
❓ What is Astra Puja on Dussehra?
Astra Puja is the worship of weapons, tools, vehicles, and instruments of one's profession on Dussehra. Soldiers worship their weapons, farmers their ploughs, and professionals their tools — seeking divine blessings for excellence in their work.
❓ Is Dussehra a good day to start new things?
Yes. Vijayadashami is considered extremely auspicious for starting new ventures, education, travel, and purchases. The word 'Vijaya' means victory, making it ideal for initiating any new endeavour.

🕉️

Seek divine wisdom for Dussehra

Get AI-powered answers from the Bhagavad Gita, Puranas and Vedas

Ask a Question 🙏