Dussehra 2026: Date, Holiday and Vijayadashami
Looking for Dussehra 2025? That date was Thursday, 2 October 2025, which also coincided with Gandhi Jayanti. This page covers Dussehra 2026 and ahead.
Dussehra 2026, At a Glance
| Date | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 |
| Also known as | Vijayadashami, Dushara, Dasara, Dashehra, Bijaya Dashami |
| Day in Hindu Calendar | Dashami Tithi, Shukla Paksha, Ashwin month |
| Vijaya Muhurat | Approx. 1:59 PM – 2:45 PM (Aparahna Kaal) |
| Bank Holiday | Yes, gazetted holiday in most states |
| Navratri begins | Sunday, 11 October 2026 |
| Days until Diwali | 19 days (Diwali: 8 November 2026) |
Muhurat timings may vary by city. Refer to a local Panchang for your location.
Navratri to Bhai Dooj 2026, Full Festive Cluster Dates
The complete October–November festive window, from Sharad Navratri through Bhai Dooj.
| Date | Day | Festival | Observed In |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct | Sunday | Sharad Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana) | Pan India |
| 17 Oct | Saturday | Maha Saptami | West Bengal, Assam, Odisha |
| 18 Oct | Sunday | Durga Puja Ashtami | West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar |
| 19 Oct | Monday | Maha Navami | Pan India |
| 20 Oct | Tuesday | Dussehra / Vijayadashami | Pan India |
| 21 Oct | Wednesday | Durga idol immersion (Dashami) | West Bengal, Assam, Odisha |
| 24 Oct | Saturday | 4th Saturday (Bank Holiday) | Nationwide |
| 25 Oct | Sunday | Sharad Purnima | Pan India |
| 29 Oct | Thursday | Karva Chauth | North India |
| 31 Oct | Saturday | Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti | Pan India |
| 6 Nov | Friday | Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi) | Pan India |
| 7 Nov | Saturday | Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) | Pan India |
| 8 Nov | Sunday | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Pan India |
| 9 Nov | Monday | Govardhan Puja | Pan India |
| 11 Nov | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj | Pan India |
| 15 Nov | Sunday | Chhath Puja | Bihar, UP, Jharkhand |
Is Dussehra a Bank Holiday in Your State?
Dussehra is a gazetted public holiday in all states. Bank holiday status by state:
| State / Region | Bank Holiday Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Delhi | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Rajasthan | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Gujarat | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Maharashtra | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Madhya Pradesh | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Bihar & Jharkhand | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| West Bengal | ✅ Yes | Observed as Vijayadashami; banks typically closed |
| Odisha | ✅ Yes | Observed as Bijaya Dashami |
| Karnataka | ✅ Yes | Mysore Dasara, extended state holiday; some branches may have staggered hours in Mysuru |
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Tamil Nadu | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Kerala | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Punjab & Haryana | ✅ Yes | Full bank holiday |
| Assam | ✅ Yes | Observed alongside Durga Puja cluster |
Verify with your specific bank branch. Cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks may have additional local closure rules.
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What Is Dussehra?
Dussehra, also written as Dushara or Dasara, marks the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king Ravana, the final battle described in the Ramayana. It falls on the tenth day of Sharad Navratri, which is why it is also called Vijayadashami: Vijaya meaning victory, Dashami meaning the tenth lunar day.
The festival is also celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, completing the nine-night Navratri worship cycle. Across the country, it is a day when new ventures are considered auspicious, tools and vehicles are blessed, and communities gather for processions, performances, and fireworks.
How Dussehra Is Celebrated Across India
Mysore (Karnataka), Mysore Dasara: The most famous Dussehra celebration in India. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with over 100,000 bulbs, and a grand procession (Jamboo Savari) carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on a golden-canopied elephant through the city. Karnataka observes this as a 10-day state festival.
Delhi, Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan: Delhi hosts large-scale Ramlila performances in Ramlila Maidan and Subhash Nagar over ten days, culminating in the burning of towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran, and Meghanada on Dussehra evening. Dwarka and Red Fort grounds draw the largest crowds.
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Kullu Dussehra: While the rest of India ends its festivities on Dussehra, Kullu's celebrations begin. Dozens of local deities are brought to the Dhalpur ground for a week-long fair, a UNESCO-recognised cultural event with unique regional traditions.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Ramlila in Varanasi is among the oldest and most elaborate in the country, drawing pilgrims and visitors for ten days. The Ravan Dahan at Nati Imli and Lanka is a massive spectacle, with effigies reaching up to 75 feet.
Kolkata and West Bengal, Durga Puja: In Bengal, Dussehra is Vijayadashami, the final day of Durga Puja. Elaborate pandals are dismantled and the Durga idol is carried to the Ganga for immersion (Sindoor Khela). The farewell rituals are as significant as the festival itself.
Dussehra to Diwali: Festive Financial Planning Calendar 2026
| Action | Why It Matters | When to Act |
|---|---|---|
| Check CIBIL score | Lenders pull credit scores during festive season applications, know where you stand before they do | By 10 October |
| Check pre-approved personal loan offer | Festive loan processing times increase as applications surge post-Dussehra | By 15 October |
| Compare loan offers (30+ lenders) | Banks run festive rate offers, comparing early captures the best rate before offers change | Before 20 October |
| Finalise loan & complete KYC | Branch footfall peaks in last week of October, digital KYC avoids queues | By 25 October |
| Funds disbursed for Diwali purchase | Diwali is 8 November; allow 3–5 working days for disbursal after approval | By 1 November |
CreditMitra's 100% digital process, pre-approved offer check, comparison, and application, works without a branch visit, including on bank holidays.
Future Dussehra Dates: 2026–2031
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 October | Tuesday |
| 2027 | 9 October | Saturday |
| 2028 | 27 September | Wednesday |
| 2029 | 16 October | Tuesday |
| 2030 | 5 October | Saturday |
| 2031 | 24 October | Friday |
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