Guruji Journal

Dussehra 2026: What Vijayadashami Means and Why Today Needs No Muhurat

Tuesday 20 October 2026: the meaning, today's timings for India and the UK, three customs, and the 2027 date

GuruJi Jyotish TeamOctober 20, 20263 min read

dussehra 2026
vijayadashami
navratri 2026
muhurat
shravana nakshatra
hindu festivals

Dussehra 2026: What Vijayadashami Means and Why Today Needs No Muhurat

Dussehra 2026, also called Vijayadashami, is today, Tuesday 20 October, for most of India and the UK. Bengal, Kerala and Mysuru keep their main rites on Wednesday 21 October.

The name means "victory tenth". It is the tenth lunar day (Dashami) in the bright half of the month of Ashwin.

The festival stands for good over evil. Tradition holds that on this day Rama killed the demon king Ravana, who had carried off his wife Sita. Many also honour Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, and Dussehra ends the nine nights of Navratri.

Dussehra 2026 timings for Delhi and London

These are the key hours for two cities. A lunar day does not follow the clock, so it can start and end at any hour. Times shift from place to place.

India (Delhi): Dashami runs from 12:50 pm today to about 2:11 pm on Wednesday 21 October. The "victory" window (Vijay muhurat) is 1:59 to 2:45 pm. Sunset is at 5:47 pm.
UK (London, BST): Dashami runs from 8:20 am today to about 9:41 am on Wednesday 21 October. The Vijay muhurat is 2:29 to 3:10 pm. Sunset is at 5:57 pm.

In Delhi, the Moon also stays in the lunar star Shravana nakshatra until 6:02 pm. That covers the whole afternoon.

The afternoon is the usual time for the day's pujas. Ravan Dahan, the burning of Ravana figures, takes place after sunset. Local groups set their own hour, so check your temple's notice.

Why today needs no muhurat

A muhurat is a time chosen as auspicious for a new start. Many families check one before a wedding, a house move or a new venture. Almanac (panchang) custom says Vijayadashami needs none.

It is listed among the "sade teen" days, meaning "three and a half". The others are Gudi Padwa, Akshaya Tritiya and half of Bali Pratipada. This list comes from almanac custom. We know of no classical text that sets it as a rule.

People traditionally begin a business, a purchase or a course on this day, without waiting for a special hour. In Kerala, children write their first letters (Vidyarambham) on Vijayadashami, which falls on 21 October there this year. The Vijay muhurat above is a bonus, not a requirement.

A day that suits everyone can still sit awkwardly with your own chart. Before a major step, check yours with the muhurat finder.

Three customs

Leaves as "gold". In Maharashtra, people exchange apta leaves and call them gold (sona). The shami, a different tree, is worshipped too. In a well-known story, the Pandavas hid their weapons in one.

Aparajita puja. Many families worship Goddess Aparajita, whose name means "the unconquered", in the afternoon.

Honouring tools and books. Families clean and honour the tools of their work, such as books, instruments and vehicles, in Shastra puja or "weapon worship". In much of the south the same rite, Ayudha Puja, is held on Navami, the ninth day. In Kerala, Navami is today, 20 October. Check your local calendar for the date.

Around India

In the north, Ramlila (stage plays of the Ramayana) ends with Ravan Dahan. UNESCO has listed Ramlila as living heritage since 2008. In the south, many homes end their Golu doll displays on Vijayadashami.

Bengal, Kerala and Mysuru keep their main rites on Wednesday 21 October. Bengal marks Bijoya Dashami, with Durga's immersion in water (visarjan). Mysuru's grand Dasara procession, the Jamboo Savari, is the same day.

Quick questions

Why does the date change every year?

Hindu festival dates follow the Moon's phases. Twelve lunar months are about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so dates drift earlier. An extra month (Adhik Maas) is added about every three years to catch up.

Dussehra was on 2 October in 2025. This year the extra month pushed it to 20 October, and Navratri moved with it (11 to 19 October).

When is Dussehra 2027?

Saturday 9 October 2027, for most of India and the UK. That is 11 days earlier than this year. Some regional calendars may differ by a day.

Is Dussehra on 20 or 21 October 2026?

20 October for most of India and the UK, because Dashami covers the afternoon. Bengal, Kerala and Mysuru follow their own regional calendars and keep 21 October.

Wishing you a happy Vijayadashami. To see how today sits with your own chart, get your free reading at guruji.ai.