when is dussehra
Dussehra in 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 in most Hindu festival calendars, though some educational and regional calendars mention 2 October 2026 based on differing local calculations and observances.
Quick Scoop
- The festival of Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami, Dasara) falls on the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright half of the Hindu month Ashvin, usually in September or October.
- For 2026, several major Hindu calendar and panchang sources list Dussehra/Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 , including detailed puja and muhurat timings.
- Some school and teaching resources list 2 October 2026 as Dussehra, reflecting alternative regional or pedagogical calendars rather than the muhurat-based panchang used for religious observance.
Why the dates differ
- Hindu festival dates are calculated from the lunar calendar (tithi, nakshatra, and local sunrise), so a festival can sometimes appear on different dates in different regional or simplified calendars.
- Panchang and astrology-based sites specify Dashami tithi and auspicious Vijay Muhurat for 20 October 2026, showing Dashami beginning early on 20 October and ending on 21 October, which is why that date is widely treated as the main observance.
If you are planning in practice
- For religious rituals, temple visits, or observing fasts, follow a trusted local panchang or priest, who will almost certainly guide you to 20 October 2026 as the main Dussehra/Vijayadashami date.
- For school events, children’s activities, or teaching-related planning, you may see 2 October 2026 in some educational calendars, so check the specific institution’s holiday list.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.