Dussehra 2026 Date: Is Vijayadashami on October 20 or 21? Check Correct Vijayadashami Date, Dashami Tithi Timings, Vijay Muhurat, Auspicious Puja Time and More

Dussehra 2026 Date: As the final days of  Sharad Navratri approach, devotees across India are preparing to celebrate Dussehra, a festival that recalls Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and the triumph of good over evil. However, the festival calendar has raised a common question this year: should Vijayadashmi be observed on Tuesday, October 20, or Wednesday, October 21, 2026?

According to the Hindu calendar timing listed for Delhi, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 20, 2026, while the Dashami Tithi continues into the following afternoon. The tithi begins at 12:50 PM on October 20 and ends at 2:11 PM on October 21.

The timing of the tithi, the Vijay Muhurat and regional traditions help explain why different dates may appear in festival calendars.

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Dussehra 2026: October 20 or October 21?

For devotees in Delhi and many other parts of India, Dussehra falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Drik Panchang lists Vijayadashami on this date and gives the Delhi Vijay Muhurat as 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM.

The confusion arises because Dashami Tithi does not end on October 20. It begins at 12:50 PM that day and continues until 2:11 PM on October 21. However, Hindu festival dates do not always follow the calendar date on which a tithi ends. The prescribed ritual period and the rules followed for Vijayadashami also influence the observance.

Some regional calendars follow different practices. Drik Panchang, for example, lists Bengal Vijayadashami on October 21, highlighting why devotees may see both dates mentioned in connection with the festival. 

Dussehra 2026: Dashami Tithi Timings

Dashami is the tenth lunar day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Ashwin. In 2026, its timing crosses two calendar dates, which is the main reason behind the October 20 and October 21 confusion.

Here are the key timings for Delhi:

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