Dussehra 2026
Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Date and Panchanga Basis
- Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (also observed as Vijayadashami)
- Rule: Ashwina Shukla Dashami, decided by the tithi prevailing in the aparahna (afternoon).
- Reckoning: amanta lunar months; date fixed by the tithi prevailing in the aparahna (afternoon).
This date is computed from sidereal Sun and Moon positions (Swiss-precision Meeus ephemeris, Lahiri ayanamsa), not copied from a stored calendar. Regional almanacs that apply a different local rule can occasionally differ by one day; where a festival anchors to a specific hour, such as midnight for Janmashtami or midday for Ganesh Chaturthi, the matching classical rule is used.
Significance
Vijayadashami celebrates victory: Rama over Ravana and Durga over Mahishasura. The aparahna rule fixes the date, and the Vijaya muhurta inside that afternoon window is the classical time for beginning new ventures, which is why the day doubles as an auspicious-start festival.
Timing Your Observance
A festival date names the day; a muhurta names the hour. For puja timing on October 20, consult the day's panchanga: the prevailing tithi and nakshatra, the choghadiya windows, and the Rahu Kaal period to avoid. The daily panchang, choghadiya timings, and Rahu Kaal calculator cover this for your city, and the birth chart calculator shows how the day's sky sits against your own chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Dussehra in 2026?
Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Ashwina Shukla Dashami, decided by the tithi prevailing in the aparahna (afternoon).
How is the Dussehra date decided?
The date follows the tithi prevailing in the aparahna (afternoon) in amanta lunar-month reckoning. This page computes it from sidereal Sun and Moon longitudes (Lahiri ayanamsa) rather than a stored table.
When is Dussehra in 2027?
Dussehra 2027 falls on Saturday, October 9, 2027.