Panchangam 20 October 2026 (Tuesday): Dussehra, Vijayadashami, Aparajita Puja, Ayudha Puja, Vijay Muhurat, Tithi and Nakshatra

Quick answer: Tuesday 20 October 2026 is Dussehra (Vijayadashami). In Hyderabad, Navami ends at 12:50 PM IST and Dashami follows; Shravana nakshatra lasts until 06:02 PM. The Vijay Muhurat in Hyderabad is 1:57 to 2:44 PM IST. Drik also lists Aparajita Jayanti, Ayudha Puja, Bengal Maha Navami, Durga Visarjan, South Saraswati Puja and Daksha Savarni Manvadi today.

Victory day has come. Rama's triumph over Ravana and the Goddess's over Mahishasura are remembered across India in different ways: effigies of Ravana burn in the North, Jammi leaves are exchanged as "gold" in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Kerala prepares for Vidyarambham, and tools rest in worship in the South. This page summarises the day's panchang and practice; for the full story, rituals and state-by-state muhurat, go to our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Today's panchang (Hyderabad)

Source: Drik Panchang for Hyderabad. Dashami continues until 02:11 PM IST on Wednesday 21 October, so Drik lists Bengal Vijayadashami, Mysore Dasara and Vidyarambham Day on 21 October.

Vijay Muhurat in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Shami puja, Aparajita puja and Seemollanghan are traditionally done in this afternoon window. For all other states, see our Dussehra 2026 date and Vijay Muhurat guide, and for effigy-burning times the Ravan Dahan 2026 city-wise guide.

Religious significance

Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of good over evil: Rama over Ravana in the Ramayana tradition, and Durga over Mahishasura in the Devi tradition. Aparajita and Shami: the unconquered Goddess is worshipped in the afternoon, and the Shami tree is honoured because, as commonly told, the Pandavas hid their weapons in it during their exile. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, families exchange Jammi (Shami) leaves and many look for the Palapitta (Indian roller) bird as an auspicious sight; see the Jammi leaf exchange and Dussehra 2026 in Telangana.

Ayudha Puja and South Saraswati Puja: tools, vehicles and books are honoured today. Vidyarambham, the ceremony in which small children write their first letters, is listed by Drik on Wednesday 21 October, when Dashami prevails at sunrise; Kerala families should follow their local calendar and temple. See Ayudha Puja, Vahana Puja and Shami Puja vidhi and Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham. Bengal: Drik's Kolkata calendar keeps Maha Navami today, with Bijoya Dashami tomorrow. Daksha Savarni Manvadi is one of the fourteen Manvadi days, traditionally linked with tarpanam for ancestors. Drik also lists Buddha Jayanti here, a traditional calendar entry distinct from the Buddha Purnima of spring.

Simple puja vidhi for today

1. Morning, while Navami prevails: complete the Navratri worship, thank the Goddess with aarti, and take up the books kept for Saraswati if your family does so today.
2. Ayudha or Vahana Puja: clean your vehicle, tools or laptop, mark them with turmeric and kumkum (away from electronics), and offer a flower.
3. Afternoon, in the Vijay Muhurat: worship Aparajita with a flower and lamp, and offer water and a prayer at a Shami tree, or to a few Shami leaves at home.
4. Exchange Jammi leaves with elders, touching their feet for blessings, and share sweets.
5. If you kept the kalash and sown grain, follow your family's custom for concluding the Navratri setup.

Essentials vs optional: a lamp, a prayer and blessings from elders are the heart of the day; the Shami tree, Palapitta sighting and Ravan Dahan are cherished customs. No materials? Write one word on paper ("Om" or "Sri Rama") as a fresh start, light a lamp and bow to your parents.

Mantra for the day

Om Dum Durgayai Namah (oṃ duṃ durgāyai namaḥ): "Salutations to Goddess Durga," with "dum" as her seed syllable. Chant it 11 or 108 times in thanksgiving at the close of Navratri, offering your efforts to her rather than expecting a guaranteed result. For more, see our Vijayadashami mantras and Aparajita puja guide.

Breaking the Navratri fast

Families who did not break their fast on Navami usually do so today after the morning worship. Ease back into regular food with a light meal. Anyone elderly, pregnant or unwell should follow medical advice rather than any fasting custom.

What you can do today

• Do Shami and Aparajita puja between 1:57 and 2:44 PM if you are in Hyderabad.
• Exchange Jammi leaves and seek blessings from elders.
• Start a new book, course or skill; if a child in the family is ready for Vidyarambham, confirm the day with your temple.
• Honour your vehicle and tools of work with a simple Ayudha Puja.
• Let go of one habit you want to defeat; that is your own Ravana.
• Visit a Durga temple, such as the Kanaka Durga Temple at Vijayawada, if you are nearby.

With family and children

Read the story of Rama and Ravana together and ask the children what each of Ravana's ten heads might stand for. Let them exchange Jammi leaves with grandparents and keep one in their school bag. Our Dussehra story for kids and Dussehra activities for kids make it easy.

Hindus abroad: today's panchang in your city

These are local clock times for each city, computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang. Never add or subtract hours from the Hyderabad times to get your local time.

Dashami is at sunrise in New York, Toronto and São Paulo; elsewhere Navami is at sunrise and Dashami begins later in the day. Local Dussehra dates and Vijay Muhurat are on our USA state-by-state, UK region-by-region and Australia city-by-city pages.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dussehra on 20 October 2026?

Yes. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in India. In Hyderabad, Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST, after Navami ends, and the afternoon Vijay Muhurat falls within it.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Hyderabad on Dussehra 2026?

1:57 PM to 2:44 PM IST in Hyderabad. Other Telangana and Andhra Pradesh cities are listed in the table on this page; for every state, see our Dussehra pillar guide.

Why does Drik list Ayudha Puja on 20 October when many say 19 October?

In the South, Ayudha Puja is traditionally tied to Maha Navami. In India, Navami begins on 19 October and still prevails at sunrise on 20 October, so calendars differ: many families keep it on Monday 19 October, while Drik's Hyderabad panchang lists it on Tuesday 20 October. Vehicle and tool worship on Vijayadashami is also common. Follow your family calendar.

When is Bijoya Dashami in Bengal?

Drik's Kolkata Durga Puja calendar gives Maha Navami on Tuesday 20 October and Bijoya Dashami with Sindoor Khela on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

What is Aparajita Puja?

Aparajita, "the unconquered", is a form of the Goddess traditionally worshipped on Vijayadashami afternoon, often together with Shami puja and Seemollanghan (crossing the village boundary), before setting out on new ventures.

Is Dussehra on the same date abroad?

Not everywhere. New York, Toronto and São Paulo already have Dashami at sunrise on 20 October, while eastern Australia observes on 21 October. See our USA, UK and Australia Dussehra pages for local dates and muhurat.

A reflection for Vijayadashami

After nine nights of turning inward, the tenth day turns outward. Victory, in this tradition, is not only over others but over our own anger, pride and fear. Begin something good today, and let it carry the blessing of the Goddess.

Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.

Previous and next day

Previous day: Panchang Monday 19 October: Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami. Next day: Panchang Wednesday 21 October: Bengal Vijayadashami, Kashi Bharat Milap. Whole month: October 2026 Hindu festival calendar.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 (pillar)
• Dussehra 2026 in Andhra Pradesh
• Vijaya Dasami 2026 at Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
• Mysore Dasara 2026
• Vijayadashami pooja: step-by-step guide
• Navratri vs Durga Puja vs Dussehra explained