Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is observed on the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin. The day also marks the time for Ravana Dahan.
This year, some people are confused about whether the festival falls on October 20 or October 21, 2026, as the Dashami Tithi continues across both dates. Dussehra will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, according to the Hindu calendar.
Dussehra 2026 Date And Timings
The auspicious timings for the festival are as follows: Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil. The festival is observed with religious rituals and celebrations, with Ravana Dahan being an important part of the occasion. Dussehra commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and his reunion with Sita after rescuing her from captivity. The festival’s name comes from the Sanskrit words Dasha (ten, symbolising Ravana’s ten heads) and Hara (defeat). In West Bengal, the day also marks the conclusion of the grand Durga Puja celebrations. Devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga on the final day, seeking blessings for the well-being of their families. A unique tradition followed in the region is sindoor khela, where married women apply vermilion to each other and celebrate with music and dance.
