Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, falls on the tenth day (Dashami) of the bright half of the month of Ashwina, the day after the nine nights of Navratri. It marks the victory of good over evil in more than one story: Rama over Ravana in North India, and Durga over Mahishasura in Bengal and the east. Images of Ravana are burned at sunset in many places, weapons and tools are honoured, and people begin new studies or work.
The day is fixed by the Madhyahna and Aparahna, the middle and the afternoon of the day. Dashami must be in force in the Aparahna, and the main puja is done in that window. The Vijay Muhurat, a short auspicious period within the afternoon, is listed beside it for those who want a single time. When Dashami covers the afternoon of two days, the first is taken, and in a few years the Shravana nakshatra is used as a tie-break.
Why do cities differ? Dashami begins and ends at one instant worldwide, but the afternoon is at a different clock time in each city. It can start just after the afternoon begins in one city, and be well under way in a city further east, so two cities can list different days, and the windows differ in clock time everywhere.
A calm note: if you join a public ravan dahan or a fair, follow local safety rules, especially around fire and crowds. The date and the hour are a guide, and your family or temple may keep a different day, in which case follow them.
Frequently asked questions
↳ When is Dussehra 2026 in the USA?
New York: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Aparahna puja 1:46 pm to 3:57 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:29 pm to 3:13 pm). Chicago: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Aparahna puja 1:40 pm to 3:50 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:23 pm to 3:07 pm). Los Angeles: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Aparahna puja 1:44 pm to 3:58 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:29 pm to 3:13 pm). Times are local to each city. Other US cities are in the table above.
↳ When is Dussehra 2026 in the UK, Canada and Australia?
London: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Aparahna puja 1:47 pm to 3:52 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:28 pm to 3:10 pm). Toronto: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Aparahna puja 2:06 pm to 4:16 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:49 pm to 3:33 pm). Sydney: Wednesday 21 October 2026 (Aparahna puja 1:58 pm to 4:35 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:51 pm to 3:43 pm).
↳ When is Dussehra in 2027?
New York: Saturday 9 October 2027 (Aparahna puja 1:51 pm to 4:08 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:37 pm to 3:22 pm). London: Saturday 9 October 2027 (Aparahna puja 1:54 pm to 4:07 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:38 pm to 3:23 pm). Sydney: Saturday 9 October 2027 (Aparahna puja 2:32 pm to 4:31 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:49 pm to 3:40 pm). New Delhi: Saturday 9 October 2027 (Aparahna puja 1:18 pm to 3:38 pm; Vijay Muhurat 2:05 pm to 2:51 pm).
↳ Is Dussehra on the same date in every city?
In 2026, 44 of the 49 cities list it on Tuesday 20 October, and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland and Suva, Fiji on Wednesday 21 October. In 2027 all 49 cities on this site list it on Saturday 9 October. Where cities differ it is because the rule looks at the afternoon, and Dashami can start or end around that time in some cities and not others.