Dussehra 2026

Dussehra, also known as Vijay Dashami or Dasara, will be observed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, according to India's national holiday calendar. The festival is associated with the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated in different ways across the country's regions.

The meaning of Dussehra

Dussehra is traditionally associated with Rama's victory over Ravana in the Ramayana tradition. The celebration symbolizes the triumph of righteousness and good over evil, although its religious and cultural expressions vary among India's different communities and regions.

Regional traditions

There is no single way to celebrate Dussehra throughout India. Many regions hold performances and ceremonies connected with the Ramayana and the victory of Rama over Ravana. In West Bengal, Vijay Dashami marks the conclusion of Durga Puja and may be observed on a different date according to local traditions.

The 2026 celebration

India's national holiday calendar lists Dussehra (Vijay Dashmi) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Because the festival is celebrated throughout the country, specific activities, timings and ceremonies depend on local traditions and programs.