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2026 festival dates

Vijaya Dashami 2026: Date, Meaning and Regional Traditions

Vijaya Dashami, Dussehra and Dasara refer to a regionally varied autumn festival. In 2026, the general calendar listing is 20 October, with Bengal and Kerala listed separately on 21 October.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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Vijaya Dashami—also called Vijayadashami, Dussehra or Dasara—is an autumn festival associated with the victory of good over evil. In 2026, India’s Rashtriya Panchanga lists Dussehara/Vijaya Dasami on 20 October, while its separate Bengal and Kerala listing gives 21 October. The name and customs vary by region, so the relevant date and observance depend on which tradition you mean.

When is Vijaya Dashami in 2026?

The India Meteorological Department’s Rashtriya Panchanga lists “Vijaya Dasami (Dussehara or Dasahara)” on 20 October 2026. It gives a separate entry, “Vijaya Dashami (Bengal & Kerala),” for 21 October 2026. Incredible India also gives 20 October 2026 for Dussehra. These are regional calendar listings, not a single date that should be applied without qualification to every observance.

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The festival falls in the autumn Hindu calendar period. Maharashtra Tourism describes it as the tenth day of Ashvin, a lunar month that generally falls in September or October; Delhi Tourism likewise places Dussehra in September–October. Dates change from year to year, so check a current calendar for years after 2026.

What does Vijaya Dashami celebrate?

The festival is linked to victory over evil, but there is more than one central story. In the Rama-centered tradition, Rama defeats Ravana. In the Durga-centered tradition, Goddess Durga defeats the demon Mahishasura. Official tourism accounts describe both narratives; neither one alone represents the meaning of the festival everywhere.

Maharashtra Tourism describes Dussehra as marking the end of Navratri. In Bengal, Vijayadashami concludes Durga Puja. The relationship to the preceding festival period and the story emphasized differ across regional observances.

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How do regional observances differ?

Region or example Story or emphasis Connection to the festival period Public observance described 2026 date in cited calendar
Delhi Rama’s victory over Ravana Dussehra falls in the autumn festival period Ramlila performances culminate in Ravana Dahan 20 October, per Incredible India’s Dussehra listing
Bengal Durga’s victory over Mahishasura Concludes Durga Puja Durga idol immersion 21 October, per the India Meteorological Department’s Bengal listing
Kerala The cited calendar identifies a regional Vijaya Dashami observance; the calendar entry does not specify a story or ritual Not stated in the calendar entry Not stated in the calendar entry 21 October, per the India Meteorological Department’s Kerala listing
Mysuru Presented as a regional Dasara celebration; the overview does not specify one exclusive story Not stated in the cited overview Not stated in the cited overview Not stated in the cited overview

These examples are not an all-India checklist. Incredible India also highlights Mysuru Dasara among regional celebrations. Telangana Tourism uses Vijayadashami, Dussehra and Navaratri in its overview, showing that regional sources may use different names for related parts of the festival season.

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Why do the names differ?

Vijaya Dashami and Vijayadashami are spelling variants of a name used for the tenth-day observance. Dussehra or Dasara are also common names, and official tourism pages apply them in regional accounts. The names overlap, but local usage and the practices emphasized are not identical. When planning around a particular event, use the region’s calendar and local description rather than assuming that every name signals the same ritual.

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