When is Dussehra?
Dussehra 2026 is on Tuesday
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
The 10th day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashvin, in September or October (the date shown is the Government of India's holiday). That's in 16 days.
until Dussehra begins, in your time zone
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, is the Hindu festival that closes the nine nights of Navratri and celebrates the victory of good over evil, above all Rama's defeat of the demon king Ravana.
About Dussehra
Dussehra falls on the 10th day of the bright half of Ashvin, straight after the nine nights of Navratri. In northern and western India it celebrates Prince Rama's victory over Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, as told in the Ramayana. In the days before, towns and neighborhoods stage Ramlila, a folk retelling of the epic in song, narration and dialogue. On the evening of Dussehra, giant effigies of Ravana, often flanked by his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghanada, are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight in open grounds.
UNESCO added Ramlila to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008, highlighting long-running productions in places such as Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Varanasi. In eastern India the same day, as Vijayadashami, closes the worship of the goddess Durga, who defeated the buffalo demon Mahishasura after a ten-day battle. In Kolkata, whose Durga Puja UNESCO inscribed in 2021, clay images of the goddess are carried to the river and immersed. Mysuru in Karnataka holds a royal Dasara procession, and in Nepal the day is the high point of Dashain.
Dussehra is a closed holiday for Indian central government offices and a public holiday in most states. Diwali, which many Hindus connect with Rama's return to Ayodhya, follows about three weeks later. The date shown is the Government of India's holiday for its offices in Delhi; some states set the holiday a day later in certain years according to their regional calendars.
Sources: Britannica: Vijayadashami, UNESCO: Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana, Government of India, Department of Personnel and Training: holidays for central government offices in 2027 (O.M. 12/2/2023-JCA, 16 July 2026). How we check dates.
How to mark Dussehra
- Watch a local Ramlila performance or a Ravana effigy burning, keeping a safe distance from the fireworks.
- Read or retell the final chapters of the Ramayana with children.
- Visit a Durga Puja pandal before the immersion if your city hosts Bengali celebrations.
- Start something new: many families treat Vijayadashami as an auspicious day to begin lessons or projects.
- Pick one bad habit to drop, a personal take on the day's theme of good over evil.
Dussehra dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday, October 2, 2025 |
| 2026 | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, October 9, 2027 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, September 27, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, October 16, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, October 6, 2030 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Dussehra 2026?
Dussehra 2026 is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. It falls on the 10th day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashvin, in September or October (the date shown is the Government of India's holiday). In 2027, it is on Saturday, October 9, 2027.
What is the difference between Navratri and Dussehra?
Navratri is the nine nights of worship of the goddess Durga in her various forms. Dussehra is the tenth day that follows, celebrating victory, whether Rama's over Ravana or Durga's over Mahishasura.
Why are Ravana effigies burned on Dussehra?
Burning Ravana re-enacts Rama's victory in the Ramayana and symbolizes the destruction of arrogance and evil.
Is Dussehra a public holiday?
No. Dussehra is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.