Dussehra 2026 in Australia: Date, Vijay Muhurat & City-by-City Guide to Ravan Dahan, Navratri, Durga Puja and Garba

Quick answer: Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami) falls on Wednesday 21 October 2026 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin, a day after India, and on Tuesday 20 October in Perth. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:51–3:43pm in Sydney and 3:18–4:11pm in Melbourne. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and in eastern Australia Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October. Melbourne's free Dussehra Mela, with Ramlila and Ravan Dahan, is on Saturday 24 October at Epping Soccer Stadium.

Dussehra 2026 in Australia comes with a twist: for most of the country, Vijayadashami falls a day after India. The Dashami tithi begins on Tuesday evening Australian time, so panchangs for Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra place Dussehra on Wednesday 21 October, while Perth keeps Tuesday 20 October. More than 680,000 people in Australia identified as Hindu in the 2021 Census, and from Harris Park to Dandenong, Navratri garba, Durga Puja and Ramlila now fill the spring calendar.

This guide covers Dussehra and Navratri 2026 in every state and territory, city by city. You'll find the correct date for each time zone, Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna timings for 20 cities, confirmed 2026 events, and the temples and associations that anchor celebrations. For the legends, rituals and meaning behind the festival, read our complete Dussehra 2026 guide.

Editor's note: Event details were checked against organiser, temple and ticketing listings on 16 September 2026. We will update this page as more organisers confirm their plans. Please confirm details before you go.

Dussehra 2026 in Australia at a glance

• Main day: Wednesday 21 October 2026 in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and Tuesday 20 October in Western Australia.
• Why the difference: Dashami begins at 6:20pm AEDT on 20 October, after that day's afternoon puja window, so eastern panchangs move Dussehra to 21 October.
• Navratri: Begins on Sunday 11 October. In eastern Australia, Durga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja and Maha Navami fall on Monday 19 October, and Navami rituals and Navratri Parana on Tuesday 20 October.
• Durga Puja: Drik Panchang's Sydney calendar runs from Friday 16 to Wednesday 21 October, and community pujas are spread across October weekends.
• Time zones: Daylight saving began on 4 October in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia. Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia don't change their clocks. All times on this page are local.
• Vijay Muhurat: An afternoon window, 2:51 to 3:43pm in Sydney, that families use for Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and new beginnings.
• Holiday status: Dussehra is not a public holiday anywhere in Australia.
• Fireworks: Consumer fireworks are banned or tightly restricted across Australia, so enjoy them only at licensed, permitted events.
• Diwali comes next: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday 8 November across Australia.

Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra 2026 dates in Australia

These key dates follow Drik Panchang's 2026 Sydney calendars and apply to the eastern states. Perth's differences are noted below the table.

• A 10-day Navratri: In eastern Australia, one tithi spans two sunrises this year, so Drik Panchang's Sydney calendar counts 10 Navratri days, from 11 to 20 October.
• Sandhi Puja in other zones: 2:57 to 3:45pm in Queensland, 3:27 to 4:15pm in South Australia, 2:27 to 3:15pm in the Northern Territory and 12:57 to 1:45pm in Western Australia, all on Monday 19 October.
• Perth: Drik Panchang's Perth calendar lists Maha Navami on Monday 19 October and Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October.
• Bathukamma: Saddula Bathukamma is celebrated on Durgashtami, which falls on Monday 19 October in eastern Australia, so Telugu associations usually celebrate on a nearby weekend.

Why is Dussehra a day later in most of Australia?

Vijayadashami is observed on the day the Dashami tithi prevails during Aparahna, the afternoon period. In 2026, Dashami begins at 12:50pm IST on 20 October, which is Tuesday evening on eastern Australian clocks. By then the afternoon has passed, so the first full Dashami afternoon in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin is Wednesday 21 October. In Perth, Dashami begins at 3:20pm on Tuesday, inside that afternoon's window, and Drik Panchang keeps Dussehra on 20 October.

Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat in Australian cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 muhurtas of daylight. Aparahna is the wider afternoon window used for Aparajita Puja, Shami Puja and Seema Avalanghan. Both depend on local sunrise and sunset, so they differ from city to city. Ravan Dahan programs usually take place after dark.

Don't convert India's times. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45pm IST on Tuesday 20 October. On a Sydney clock that reads 7:29–8:15pm the same evening, after dark and on a different day from Sydney's Dussehra. Use the local timings below.

• Perth's special case: Dashami begins at 3:20pm on Tuesday 20 October, after the calculated Vijay Muhurat of 2:12 to 3:04pm. You may prefer the part of Aparahna after Dashami begins, from 3:20 to 3:56pm, or follow your temple's schedule.
• Suburbs are usually within a few minutes of the listed city. Use a panchang set to your suburb or town, or check today's panchangam.

Is Dussehra a holiday in Australia in 2026?

No. Dussehra is not a public holiday in any state or territory, and in 2026 it falls on a Wednesday (Tuesday in Western Australia) during the school term. A few things to plan around:

• School and work: If you want to attend the Vijayadashami puja or begin something new during the Vijay Muhurat, ask your school or employer for leave well in advance.
• Weekend celebrations: Most garba nights, Durga Pujas and Dussehra melas are held on weekends, from 10–11 October to 24–25 October.
• Check the date on flyers: Because Australian panchangs differ from India's this year, some community flyers may list 20 October. Temples will announce their own Vijayadashami timings.

The biggest Dussehra and Navratri 2026 events in Australia (confirmed dates)

These celebrations have announced 2026 dates. Many Durga Pujas and melas are free, while garba nights with touring singers are ticketed.

† Listed by third-party event sites. Confirm with the organiser before you go.

Annual celebrations to watch (2026 details still coming)

• Sri Durga Temple, Melbourne: Its annual Dussehra, with Ramleela, fireworks and Ravan Dahan, was described as Australia's biggest in 2022, when organisers expected about 18,000 people.
• Velama Association of Australia, Sydney: Has organised Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations regularly since 2018.
• Touring garba artists: Geeta Rabari has 2026 garba nights listed for Sydney and Brisbane, and Aditya Gadhavi for Brisbane.
• Bengali Association of Victoria: Lists a 2026 Mahalaya gathering ahead of Durga Puja.

Dussehra 2026 city by city: every state and territory

Cities are grouped by state and territory. Each entry covers the temples and communities that anchor Navratri and Dussehra, confirmed 2026 events and local Vijay Muhurat timings. For temple addresses and hours, use the HinduTone temple directory or the temple's own website.

Jump to a city:

• New South Wales: Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Regional New South Wales
• Victoria: Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, Regional Victoria
• Queensland: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns
• Western Australia: Perth, Regional Western Australia
• South Australia: Adelaide, Regional South Australia
• ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory: Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Darwin, Alice Springs

New South Wales: Dussehra 2026 in Sydney and beyond

New South Wales celebrates Dussehra on Wednesday 21 October, on daylight saving time (AEDT).

Sydney

• Temples: Sydney Murugan Temple in Mays Hill, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Rose Hill, Sri Mandir in Auburn and temples across western Sydney hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs.
• Durga Puja: The Vakta Mandir Sydney Trust holds its free VMS Durga Puja on Saturday 24 October from 10am at St Marys Memorial Hall, in the Bengali tradition and open to the wider community.
• Garba: The Gujarati Brahman Samaj of NSW holds its Navratri Garba on Saturday 17 October.
• Bathukamma: The Velama Association of Australia has organised Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations regularly since 2018, including in Sydney.
• Shopping: Harris Park, Sydney's "Little India," is the go-to strip for festive clothes, sweets and puja items.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:51 to 3:43pm on Wednesday 21 October, within Aparahna from 1:59 to 4:36pm. Sunset is at 7:13pm.

Newcastle and the Central Coast

Newcastle, Maitland and Central Coast families celebrate with temple visits, home pujas and University of Newcastle student events. The Vijay Muhurat in Newcastle is 2:49 to 3:41pm.

Wollongong and the Illawarra

Sri Venkateswara Temple in Helensburgh, at the northern edge of the Illawarra, draws families from across Sydney and Wollongong for Navaratri and Vijayadashami. The Vijay Muhurat in Wollongong is 2:53 to 3:45pm.

Regional New South Wales

Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange, Dubbo, Armidale and Coffs Harbour have smaller communities that celebrate with home pujas and community gatherings. The Vijay Muhurat in Wagga Wagga is 3:07 to 4:00pm. Broken Hill keeps South Australian time, so families there should use Adelaide's timings as a guide.

Victoria: Dussehra 2026 in Melbourne and regional cities

Victoria has the country's busiest confirmed Dussehra calendar for 2026, with Ramlila, Ravan Dahan and several Durga Pujas across Melbourne.

Melbourne

• Dussehra Mela: Prem Prakash Mandal Mandir's fourth Dussehra Mela is on Saturday 24 October from 2pm at Epping Soccer Stadium, with Ramlila, effigy burning and fireworks. Entry is free.
• Sri Durga Temple: The temple's annual Dussehra, with Ramleela and Ravan Dahan, is one of the largest in Australia. Watch its channels for the 2026 date.
• Durga Puja: Bongosathi's West Melbourne Durga Utsav runs on 10 and 11 October at the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing, with free entry for registered attendees. SPUVIC's Durgotsav runs 23–25 October at Epping Memorial Hall.
• Garba: Melbourne Garba Night is on Friday 16 October at Marriott Waters Reserve in Lyndhurst, and the Northern Gujarati Association of Melbourne holds its Navratri night on 25 September in Greensborough.
• Temples: Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs and Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple in The Basin hold Navaratri and Vijayadashami programs.
• Shopping: Foster Street in Dandenong, Melbourne's Little India precinct, is the place for festive shopping.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 3:18 to 4:11pm on Wednesday 21 October, within Aparahna from 2:25 to 5:04pm.

Geelong

Geelong's community celebrates with home pujas, community garba and Deakin University student events, and many families travel to Melbourne's temples. The Vijay Muhurat in Geelong is 3:20 to 4:14pm.

Ballarat and Bendigo

Ballarat and Bendigo families mark Navratri and Dussehra with community gatherings and home pujas. The Vijay Muhurat is 3:22 to 4:15pm in Ballarat and 3:20 to 4:13pm in Bendigo.

Regional Victoria

Shepparton, Mildura, Traralgon and Warrnambool have smaller communities that celebrate at home and with local associations. Use a panchang set to your town, as timings shift by up to a quarter of an hour across the state.

Queensland: Dussehra 2026 in Brisbane and beyond

Queensland stays on AEST (UTC+10) all year and celebrates Dussehra on Wednesday 21 October.

Brisbane

• Temples and community: Temples across Brisbane's suburbs hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs, and the city's Fijian Indian, Gujarati, Bengali and Telugu communities host their own celebrations.
• Garba: Touring garba nights with Geeta Rabari and Aditya Gadhavi are listed for Brisbane in 2026.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Brisbane is 1:42 to 2:33pm, within Aparahna from 12:50 to 3:25pm.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast families celebrate with home pujas, community gatherings and Griffith University student events. The Vijay Muhurat is 1:40 to 2:32pm.

Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba

Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba communities mark the festival with small gatherings and home pujas. The Vijay Muhurat in Toowoomba is 1:46 to 2:37pm.

Townsville and Cairns

North Queensland's communities in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay celebrate with home pujas and James Cook University student events. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:04 to 2:54pm in Townsville and 2:07 to 2:58pm in Cairns.

Western Australia: Dussehra 2026 in Perth and beyond

Western Australia stays on AWST (UTC+8) and, following Drik Panchang's Perth calendar, celebrates Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October.

Perth

• Temples: Bala Murugan Temple in Mandogalup, completed in 2008, and temples across Perth's suburbs hold Navaratri and Vijayadashami programs.
• Garba: The Gujarati Samaj of Western Australia's Open Air Live Garba and Mela is on Saturday 17 October, and the Brabham Gujarati Community Club's free Swan Community Garba Night is on Saturday 3 October in Beechboro.
• Muhurat: Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 October. Dashami begins at 3:20pm, and Aparahna runs from 1:20 to 3:56pm, so the Dashami part of the afternoon is 3:20 to 3:56pm. The calculated Vijay Muhurat is 2:12 to 3:04pm.

Regional Western Australia

Bunbury, Mandurah, Albany, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Karratha and Broome have smaller communities that celebrate with home pujas and community gatherings. Timings, and even the Dussehra date, can differ in the north and east of the state, so use a panchang set to your town.

South Australia: Dussehra 2026 in Adelaide and beyond

South Australia is on ACDT (UTC+10:30) in October and celebrates Dussehra on Wednesday 21 October.

Adelaide

Adelaide's Hindu temples and Indian associations hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs, and Gujarati, Bengali, Nepali and Telugu groups host their own celebrations. The Vijay Muhurat in Adelaide is 3:12 to 4:05pm, within Aparahna from 2:20 to 4:57pm.

Regional South Australia

Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Murray Bridge and Port Augusta have smaller communities that celebrate at home and with local associations. Use a panchang set to your town.

ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory: Dussehra 2026 across the capital and the territories

Canberra, Hobart and Launceston are on AEDT in October, while the Northern Territory stays on ACST (UTC+9:30). All of them celebrate Dussehra on Wednesday 21 October.

Canberra

Canberra's Hindu temples hold Navaratri and Vijayadashami programs, and the Gujarati Samaj of ACT has hosted Navratri garba nights in past years. The Vijay Muhurat is 3:00 to 3:53pm, within Aparahna from 2:07 to 4:45pm.

Hobart

Hobart's growing community, including many University of Tasmania students, celebrates with home pujas and community gatherings. The Vijay Muhurat in Hobart is 3:11 to 4:05pm.

Launceston

Launceston families mark Navratri and Dussehra with small gatherings and home pujas. The Vijay Muhurat in Launceston is 3:11 to 4:05pm.

Darwin

Darwin's community celebrates with temple and community programs. The Northern Territory doesn't use daylight saving, so Dashami begins at 4:50pm on Tuesday 20 October, and the Vijay Muhurat in Darwin is 2:36 to 3:26pm on Wednesday 21 October.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs families celebrate at home and with community gatherings. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:27 to 3:18pm.

How to find Dussehra and Navratri 2026 events near you

• Start with your temple. Most temples publish Navratri, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami schedules by early October. Search the HinduTone temple directory to find one near you.
• Check community associations. Gujarati samajs run garba nights, Bengali associations organise Durga Pujas, Telugu associations host Bathukamma and Dasara, and Tamil and Kannada groups hold Golu and Saraswati Puja programs.
• Use event platforms carefully. India.com.au, Premier Tickets and Eventbrite list many events. Check the organiser's name, venue and refund policy before you pay.
• Register for free events. Some free Durga Pujas, including West Melbourne's, admit registered attendees only.
• Follow university groups. Indian and Hindu student societies host some of the liveliest garba nights.

Your Navratri and Dussehra 2026 planner for Australia

For the prayers, see our collection of pooja slokas and mantras, and for prasad and fasting dishes, browse our festival recipes.

How different communities celebrate Navratri and Dussehra in Australia

• Gujarati families dance garba and dandiya raas through Navratri, with community samajs running nights in every major city.
• Punjabi Hindu and North Indian families stage Ramleela and watch Ravan Dahan at permitted events such as Melbourne's Dussehra Mela.
• Fijian Indian families mark the festival with Ramayan recitals and temple programs, especially in Sydney and Brisbane.
• Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja with pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja and dhunuchi naach, then close with Sindoor Khela and Bijoya greetings.
• Telugu families celebrate Bathukamma with flower towers and circle songs, and on Dasara they exchange Jammi (Shami) leaves and Alai Balai embraces.
• Tamil families, including many Sri Lankan Tamils, arrange Golu and mark Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja toward the end of Navaratri.
• Malayali families mark Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami, when young children write their first letters.
• Kannada and Marathi families host Dasara programs, and Marathi families exchange apta leaves as "sona," or gold.
• Nepali and Bhutanese-Nepali families celebrate Dashain, receiving tika and jamara from elders on Bijaya Dashami.

Ravan Dahan, garba and spring safety

• Leave fireworks to the professionals. Consumer fireworks are banned or tightly restricted across Australia, so enjoy them only at licensed, permitted events.
• Respect fire danger. Spring can bring early fire danger days, and a Total Fire Ban can stop outdoor burning, so effigy burning belongs only at approved events.
• Keep your distance. Stay behind barriers during Ravan Dahan and fireworks, and keep children close.
• Stay sun-smart and hydrated. Afternoon melas can be hot, so bring water, hats and sunscreen, and pack a layer for cooler evenings.
• Pace yourself at garba. Drink water, wear comfortable footwear and take breaks during long nights.
• Use LED lamps near Golu displays. Keep open flames away from fabric, paper and dolls.

Wherever you celebrate, from a Ramleela ground in Epping to a Golu display in Perth, may Vijayadashami bring victory, courage and new beginnings to your family. Happy Dussehra!

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Australia?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Wednesday 21 October 2026 in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. In Western Australia, Drik Panchang's Perth calendar places it on Tuesday 20 October.

Why is Dussehra on 21 October in Sydney when India celebrates on 20 October?

The Dashami tithi begins at 6:20pm AEDT on Tuesday 20 October, after that day's afternoon (Aparahna) window. Vijayadashami needs Dashami in the afternoon, so Sydney, Melbourne and the other eastern cities observe it on Wednesday 21 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2026 in Sydney and Melbourne?

On Wednesday 21 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:51 to 3:43pm in Sydney and 3:18 to 4:11pm in Melbourne, both in AEDT.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra?

On Wednesday 21 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 1:42 to 2:33pm in Brisbane (AEST), 3:12 to 4:05pm in Adelaide (ACDT) and 3:00 to 3:53pm in Canberra (AEDT).

When is Dussehra 2026 in Perth?

Drik Panchang's Perth calendar places Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Dashami begins at 3:20pm that afternoon, and the calculated Vijay Muhurat is 2:12 to 3:04pm, so you may prefer the Dashami part of Aparahna, from 3:20 to 3:56pm, or your temple's timings.

When is Navratri 2026 in Australia?

Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October 2026. In eastern Australia, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall on Monday 19 October, Navami rituals and Navratri Parana on Tuesday 20 October, and Dussehra on Wednesday 21 October.

When is Durga Puja 2026 in Sydney and Melbourne?

Drik Panchang's Sydney Durga Puja calendar runs from Bilva Nimantran on Friday 16 October to Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Utsav on Wednesday 21 October. Community pujas include West Melbourne Durga Utsav on 10–11 October, SPUVIC's Durgotsav on 23–25 October and the VMS Durga Puja in St Marys on 24 October.

Where is Ravan Dahan in Australia in 2026?

Prem Prakash Mandal Mandir's free Dussehra Mela at Epping Soccer Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday 24 October includes Ramlila, effigy burning and fireworks. Sri Durga Temple in Melbourne also holds an annual Dussehra with Ravan Dahan, and its 2026 date is still to be announced.

Is Dussehra a public holiday in Australia?

No. Dussehra is not a public holiday in any Australian state or territory. In 2026 it falls on a Wednesday (Tuesday in Western Australia), so ask your school or employer in advance if you want time off for the puja.

Can I light fireworks for Dussehra in Australia?

No. Consumer fireworks are banned or tightly restricted across Australia, and spring fire danger can bring Total Fire Bans, so enjoy fireworks and effigy burning only at licensed, permitted events.

When is Bathukamma 2026 in Australia?

Saddula Bathukamma is celebrated on Durgashtami, which falls on Monday 19 October 2026 in eastern Australia. Telugu associations usually celebrate on a nearby weekend, and the Velama Association of Australia has organised Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations regularly since 2018, including in Sydney.

Related reading on HinduTone

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the USA: state-by-state guide
• Dussehra 2026 in Canada: province-by-province guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the UK: region-by-region guide
• Hindu temple directory
• Today's panchangam

Sources and verification

• Muhurat and calendar: Drik Panchang's Vijayadashami timings for Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra; its 2026 Hindu calendars for Sydney and Perth; its Sydney Navratri calendar and Durga Puja calendar; MyPanchang's 2026 Australian festival table; and ShubhDivas for India's Vijay Muhurat. Timings for other cities were calculated by HinduTone with the same sunrise-to-sunset muhurta method and cross-checked against Drik Panchang's published Australian windows.
• Events: The Indian Sun on West Melbourne Durga Utsav; India.com.au listings for Dussehra, VMS Durga Puja, Melbourne Navratri, Perth Navratri and garba; Premier Tickets; The Australia Today on Sri Durga Temple; and Telangana Today on the Velama Association of Australia.
• Temples: Wikipedia on Bala Murugan Temple, Perth.
• Population: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census.
• Last verified: 16 September 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with organisers before attending.