Dussehra 2026 in Canada: Date, Vijay Muhurat & Province-by-Province Guide to Ravan Dahan, Navratri, Durga Puja and Bathukamma

Quick answer: Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 across Canada, the same date as in India. Sharad Navratri runs from Sunday, October 11, on Thanksgiving weekend, to Maha Navami on Monday, October 19. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:50–3:33 PM in Toronto, 2:34–3:17 PM in Ottawa and 2:42–3:24 PM in Vancouver. It falls in the afternoon, not at the middle-of-the-night times some websites show after converting India's clock. Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton hosts what is widely billed as Canada's largest Dussehra festival, but its 2026 date wasn't listed in the sources we checked as of mid-September.

Dussehra 2026 in Canada spans a whole season. Ticketed garba nights began in Mississauga and Brampton in September, Bengali communities from Surrey to Toronto are preparing Durga Puja, and Telangana families are getting ready to stack flowers for Bathukamma. Vijayadashami itself falls on a Tuesday, so temples will hold the puja on October 20, while larger public celebrations such as Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan tend to move to weekends.

This guide covers Navratri and Dussehra in all 10 provinces and 3 territories. You'll find the festival calendar for Canadian time zones, Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna timings for major cities, confirmed 2026 events, and the temples and associations that anchor celebrations in each region. For the legends, rituals and meaning behind the festival, read our complete Dussehra 2026 guide.

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

Dussehra 2026 in Canada at a glance

• Main day: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Dashami), in every province and territory.
• Navratri: Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 19, with Ghatasthapana on October 11, Durga Ashtami on Sunday, October 18 and Maha Navami on Monday, October 19.
• A Thanksgiving start: Navratri begins on Thanksgiving weekend, and Thanksgiving Monday (October 12) is a holiday in most of Canada.
• The big weekend: Durga Ashtami and Saddula Bathukamma both fall on Sunday, October 18, and the Lower Mainland Bengali Cultural Society's Durga Puja in Surrey runs October 16–18.
• Garba season: The GTA's ticketed garba nights run from September to late October, including Navrang Navratri Festival nights in Brampton on October 10 and in Toronto on October 24.
• Vijay Muhurat: An afternoon window, 2:50 to 3:33 PM in Toronto, that families use for Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and new beginnings.
• Holiday status: Dussehra is not a statutory holiday anywhere in Canada.
• Ravan Dahan and fireworks: Brampton bans personal fireworks, so leave effigies and pyrotechnics to organized, permitted events.
• Diwali comes next: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) follows 19 days later, on Sunday, November 8.

Navratri and Dussehra 2026 dates in Canada

These dates follow Drik Panchang's 2026 calendars, which place Maha Navami on October 19 and Dussehra on October 20 for Toronto. The same dates apply across Canada.

• Sandhi Puja, the 48-minute window where Ashtami meets Navami, runs from 12:57 to 1:45 AM Eastern Time on Monday, October 19, from 1:57 to 2:45 AM Atlantic Time and from 2:27 to 3:15 AM in Newfoundland. Farther west it begins on Sunday night, October 18: 11:57 PM to 12:45 AM in Manitoba, 10:57 to 11:45 PM in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and 9:57 to 10:45 PM in British Columbia and Yukon.
• Bengali panjikas can differ by a day from these Drik Panchang dates, and most Canadian Durga Pujas are held on the weekend of October 16–18.
• Bathukamma ends with Saddula Bathukamma on Durgashtami, Sunday, October 18. Telugu associations usually celebrate on a nearby weekend.

Is Dussehra 2026 on October 20 everywhere in Canada?

Yes. The Dashami tithi begins at 3:20 AM Eastern Time on October 20 and ends at 4:41 AM Eastern Time on October 21. Vijayadashami is observed on the day Dashami prevails during Aparahna, the afternoon period, and the afternoon of October 20 falls inside Dashami in every Canadian time zone.

Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat in Canadian 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 begin around or after sunset.

Don't convert India's times. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45 PM IST, which reads 4:29–5:15 AM on a Toronto clock and 1:29–2:15 AM in Vancouver. Some websites print those converted times as a Canadian muhurat. In Canada, the Vijay Muhurat falls in the afternoon.

• Same clock, different sky: Regina and Calgary share a clock in October, yet their Vijay Muhurat windows are more than half an hour apart because Calgary lies much farther west.
• B.C. families: British Columbia's new year-round time doesn't affect Dussehra, because the province is on UTC−7 in October either way.
• Nearby suburbs are usually within a few minutes of the listed city. Timings for more cities, including the territories, appear in the province sections below, and you can also check today's panchangam.

Is Dussehra a holiday in Canada in 2026?

No. Dussehra is not a federal, provincial or territorial statutory holiday, and in 2026 it falls on a Tuesday. A few things to plan around:

• Religious accommodation: If you want to attend the Vijayadashami puja or begin something new during the Vijay Muhurat, ask your school or employer for time off well in advance.
• Thanksgiving weekend: Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, is a holiday in most of Canada, giving many families a long weekend at the start of Navratri.
• Weekend celebrations: Most garba nights, Durga Pujas, Bathukamma programs and Ravan Dahan events are scheduled on weekends.

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

These celebrations have announced 2026 dates. Many GTA garba nights run before Navratri itself, and most are ticketed.

† Listed on third-party ticketing sites. Confirm with the organizer before you go.

Annual celebrations to watch (2026 details not yet announced)

• Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton: A Dussehra festival with Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan on the temple grounds on The Gore Road, widely described as Canada's largest. Attendees shared that the 2025 edition included a drone show, free parking at nearby schools and shuttle buses.
• Vaishno Devi Mandir, Oakville: Listed an evening aarti followed by Ravan Dahan for Dussehra 2025.
• Ottawa Dussehra Festival, Kanata: Listed in 2025 as a free community festival with Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan.
• Toronto Telugu Community: Dasara and Bathukamma Sambaralu, held in both 2024 and 2025.
• Bengali associations across Canada: Durga Puja weekends, most of them around October 16–18.

Dussehra 2026 province by province: all 10 provinces and 3 territories

Provinces and territories are grouped by region. Each entry covers the temples and communities that anchor Navratri and Dussehra, any 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 province or territory:

• Central Canada: Ontario, Quebec
• Western Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
• Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northern Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut

Central Canada: Dussehra 2026 in Ontario and Quebec

Ontario is home to most of Canada's Hindu community, and the Greater Toronto Area has the country's busiest Navratri and Dussehra calendar. Quebec's celebrations centre on Montreal.

Ontario

Navratri and Dussehra 2026 in Ontario run from convention-centre garba nights in Mississauga to Ram Leela on temple grounds in Brampton.

Toronto

• Temples: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Etobicoke and temples across the city hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs.
• Scarborough: Tamil families, many with roots in Sri Lanka, set up Golu displays and mark Navaratri and Saraswati Puja at home and in temples.
• Indo-Caribbean families celebrate Navratri at mandirs across the GTA.
• Garba: Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation's Garba Glow Up is listed for October 2, and the Navrang Navratri Festival brings Kinjal Dave to the Enercare Centre on Saturday, October 24.
• Shopping: Gerrard India Bazaar on Gerrard Street East is the city's classic stop for festive clothes and puja items.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:50 to 3:33 PM, within Aparahna from 2:07 to 4:17 PM. Sunset is at 6:26 PM.

Brampton

• Dussehra festival: Hindu Sabha Mandir's celebration on The Gore Road, with Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan, is widely billed as the largest Dussehra festival in Canada. Watch the temple's announcements for the 2026 date.
• Temples: Brampton Triveni Mandir and other temples across the city hold Navratri programs.
• Garba: Rang Rag Navratri Mahotsav is listed for Sunday, October 4, and the Navrang Navratri Festival comes to the Brampton Soccer Centre on Saturday, October 10.
• Fireworks: Brampton's bylaw bans the use, sale and possession of personal fireworks. Sparklers are allowed.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Brampton is 2:52 to 3:35 PM.

Mississauga

• Garba: The Navrang Navratri Festival, presented by the Diversity Cultural Association, holds most of its 2026 nights at The International Centre, including October 2 and 3.
• Temple: The Hindu Heritage Centre is one of the city's main places for Navratri and Vijayadashami pujas.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Mississauga is 2:51 to 3:34 PM.

York Region, Durham and Halton

• Richmond Hill: Vishnu Mandir and the Richmond Hill Hindu Temple hold Navratri and Dussehra programs.
• Durham Region: Devi Mandir in Pickering is a gathering place for families in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby.
• Halton: Vaishno Devi Mandir in Oakville was listed with an evening Ravan Dahan for Dussehra 2025, and a Raas Garba Night is listed for October 17 at the OE Banquet Hall and Conference Centre.

Ottawa

• Temple: The Hindu Temple of Ottawa-Carleton holds Navratri and Vijayadashami programs.
• Dussehra festival: A free community Dussehra festival with Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan was listed in Kanata in 2025.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Ottawa is 2:34 to 3:17 PM, within Aparahna from 1:52 to 4:00 PM.

Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London and Windsor

• Kitchener-Waterloo: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:55 to 3:38 PM, and university student groups host garba nights.
• Hamilton and London: Local temples and associations hold Navratri programs. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:52 to 3:35 PM in Hamilton and 2:58 to 3:41 PM in London.
• Windsor and Guelph: Community associations and campus groups host garba and Dussehra evenings.

Northern and Eastern Ontario

Kingston, Peterborough, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay have smaller communities that celebrate with home pujas and student garba nights. The Kenora and Rainy River areas use Central time, so use a panchang set to your own town.

Quebec

Montreal (Montréal)

• Where families gather: Parc-Extension is the go-to neighbourhood for festive shopping, and communities in the West Island and Laval host Navratri gatherings.
• Durga Puja and garba: Bengali associations hold Durga Puja, and student groups at McGill and Concordia host garba nights.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Montreal is 2:26 to 3:09 PM.
• En français : Dussehra (Vijayadashami) tombe le mardi 20 octobre 2026, et la Navratri se déroule du 11 au 19 octobre.

Quebec City, Gatineau and Sherbrooke

Smaller communities in Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières celebrate with home pujas and student events, and Gatineau families often join Ottawa's temple programs.

Western Canada: Dussehra 2026 in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Western Canada's celebrations centre on Surrey's Durga Puja weekend, Calgary and Edmonton's temples, and Winnipeg's Hindu Society of Manitoba.

British Columbia

British Columbia has one of Canada's largest South Asian communities, centred on Surrey. Unlike Diwali, Dussehra timings aren't affected by the province's new year-round clock, since B.C. is on UTC−7 in October either way.

Surrey, Delta and the Fraser Valley

• Durga Puja: The Lower Mainland Bengali Cultural Society of BC holds its Sharad Utsav and Durga Puja from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 at Westfield Banquet Hall, 7778 152 Street. The society has used the same venue in recent years and held its 2025 celebration on October 3–5.
• Temples: Lakshmi Narayan Mandir and other Surrey temples hold Navratri and Dussehra programs.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Surrey is 2:41 to 3:23 PM.

Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond

• Temples and campus events: Temples across Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond hold Navratri pujas, and UBC and SFU student groups host garba nights.
• Shopping: The Punjabi Market on Main Street near 49th Avenue is Vancouver's classic stop for festive clothes.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:42 to 3:24 PM in Vancouver and 2:42 to 3:24 PM in North Vancouver.

Victoria, Kelowna and the rest of B.C.

Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George have smaller communities that celebrate with home pujas, India association events and campus garba. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:43 to 3:26 PM in Victoria and 2:27 to 3:09 PM in Kelowna.

Alberta

Calgary

• Where families gather: Northeast Calgary, including Saddle Ridge and Taradale, is the heart of the city's South Asian community.
• Temples and garba: Calgary's Hindu temples and cultural societies hold Navratri pujas, and community associations host garba nights.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Calgary is 3:05 to 3:47 PM, with sunset at 6:33 PM.

Edmonton

• Where families gather: Mill Woods and southeast Edmonton have large South Asian communities, with temples and banquet halls hosting Navratri and Dussehra programs.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Edmonton is 3:01 to 3:42 PM.

Elsewhere in Alberta

Red Deer, Lethbridge and Fort McMurray celebrate through temples, India associations and student groups. Nepali and Bhutanese-Nepali families mark Dashain, with tika from elders on Vijayadashami.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan stays on Central Standard Time (UTC−6) all year, which matches Alberta's clock in October.

• Regina: The India Canada Association of Saskatchewan and local temples host cultural and festival programs. The Vijay Muhurat in Regina is 2:27 to 3:09 PM.
• Saskatoon: The India Canada Cultural Association and University of Saskatchewan student groups host celebrations. The Vijay Muhurat in Saskatoon is 2:34 to 3:16 PM.

Manitoba

The Hindu Society of Manitoba's temple in Winnipeg holds Navratri and Vijayadashami programs, and community associations host garba nights. The Vijay Muhurat in Winnipeg is 2:58 to 3:40 PM, with sunset at 6:28 PM.

Atlantic Canada: Dussehra 2026 in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador

Atlantic Canada's growing Indo-Canadian communities, including many international students, celebrate in community halls and on campuses. Despite the extra hour or more on the clock, the Vijay Muhurat here lands between about 2:30 and 2:55 PM, close to Toronto's window.

Nova Scotia

Halifax families and Dalhousie and Saint Mary's student groups host garba nights and Navratri gatherings, and Sydney's large Cape Breton University student community holds its own celebrations. The Vijay Muhurat in Halifax is 2:46 to 3:29 PM Atlantic Time.

New Brunswick

Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John communities celebrate with India association events and university student gatherings. The Vijay Muhurat in Moncton is 2:51 to 3:33 PM Atlantic Time.

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown's community, including many University of Prince Edward Island students, marks Navratri and Dussehra with garba evenings and home pujas. The Vijay Muhurat in Charlottetown is 2:44 to 3:27 PM Atlantic Time.

Newfoundland and Labrador

In St. John's, families and Memorial University students celebrate with community gatherings and home pujas. On Newfoundland Time (UTC−2:30), Dashami runs from 4:50 AM on October 20 to 6:11 AM on October 21, and the Vijay Muhurat in St. John's is 2:31 to 3:14 PM.

Northern Canada: Dussehra 2026 in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

The North's Indo-Canadian communities are small and celebrate mostly at home. Days are already short in late October, so each muhurta is shorter than in the south.

Yukon

In Whitehorse, families celebrate with home pujas and community potlucks. On Yukon's year-round UTC−7 clock, the Vijay Muhurat is 3:21 to 4:00 PM.

Northwest Territories

Yellowknife's small community marks Navratri and Dussehra with home pujas and shared dinners. The Vijay Muhurat in Yellowknife is 2:56 to 3:34 PM, and the sun sets around 6:06 PM.

Nunavut

In Iqaluit, which is on Eastern Time, the Vijay Muhurat is 1:52 to 2:29 PM, and the sun sets around 4:59 PM. Nunavut spans three time zones, so families in Rankin Inlet or Cambridge Bay should use a panchang set to their own community.

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 and garba organizers run dandiya nights, Bengali associations organize Durga Pujas, Telugu associations host Bathukamma and Dasara, and Tamil and Kannada groups hold Golu and Saraswati Puja programs.
• Buy tickets carefully. Sulekha, AllEvents and Eventbrite list many garba nights and concerts. Check the organizer's name, venue and refund policy before you pay.
• Ask about Ravan Dahan. Effigy burning and any pyrotechnics depend on municipal permits and weather, so confirm the program before you travel.
• Follow campus groups. University Indian and South Asian student associations host some of the liveliest garba nights.

Your Navratri and Dussehra 2026 planner for Canada

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

How different communities celebrate Navratri and Dussehra in Canada

• Gujarati families dance garba and dandiya raas, and the Navrang Navratri Festival, which bills itself as North America's largest garba celebration, brings touring singers from Gujarat to GTA convention centres.
• Punjabi Hindu and North Indian families stage Ram Leela, burn Ravana effigies where permitted and perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami.
• Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja with pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja and dhunuchi naach, then end 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, many from Sri Lanka, arrange Golu and mark Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja toward the end of Navaratri.
• Indo-Caribbean families from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname hold Navratri programs at their mandirs.
• Malayali families mark Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami, when young children write their first letters.
• Kannada associations host programs inspired by Mysuru Dasara.
• Marathi families observe Seemollanghan and 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 autumn safety

• Leave effigy burning to organized events. Open-air burning and pyrotechnics need municipal permission, and Brampton bans personal fireworks outright.
• Dress for the weather. Late-October evenings can be cold, especially on the Prairies, so bring layers to outdoor Ravan Dahan programs.
• 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.
• Plan your ride home. Garba nights at the International Centre and Enercare Centre run late, so arrange transport or parking in advance.

Wherever you celebrate, from a Ram Leela ground in Brampton to a Golu display in Surrey, may Vijayadashami bring victory, courage and new beginnings to your family. Happy Dussehra!

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Canada?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 across Canada, the same date as in India. It follows Sharad Navratri, which runs from Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 19.

What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2026 in Toronto and Brampton?

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:50 to 3:33 PM in Toronto and 2:52 to 3:35 PM in Brampton. In Mississauga, it is 2:51 to 3:34 PM.

What is the Dussehra 2026 muhurat in Vancouver and Surrey?

On October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:42 to 3:24 PM in Vancouver, 2:41 to 3:23 PM in Surrey and 2:42 to 3:24 PM in North Vancouver.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg?

On October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 3:05 to 3:47 PM in Calgary, 3:01 to 3:42 PM in Edmonton and 2:58 to 3:40 PM in Winnipeg, in local time.

What is the Dussehra 2026 muhurat in Ottawa and Montreal?

On October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:34 to 3:17 PM in Ottawa and 2:26 to 3:09 PM in Montreal.

Why do some websites show the Dussehra muhurat in the middle of the night in Canada?

Those times are India's Vijay Muhurat (1:59 to 2:45 PM IST) converted to Canadian clocks. The muhurat depends on local sunrise and sunset, so in Canada it falls in the afternoon, such as 2:50 to 3:33 PM in Toronto.

When is Navratri 2026 in Canada?

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, October 11 and ends with Maha Navami on Monday, October 19. Durga Ashtami falls on Sunday, October 18, and Dussehra follows on Tuesday, October 20.

Where is Ravan Dahan in Canada in 2026?

Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton hosts a large annual Dussehra festival with Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan; its 2026 date wasn't listed in the sources we checked as of mid-September. Vaishno Devi Mandir in Oakville and a community festival in Kanata, Ottawa were also listed with Ravan Dahan programs in 2025.

Is Dussehra a statutory holiday in Canada?

No. Dussehra is not a statutory holiday anywhere in Canada. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, while Navratri begins on Thanksgiving weekend, with Thanksgiving Monday on October 12.

When is Durga Puja 2026 in Canada?

Drik Panchang places Mahashtami on Sunday, October 18 and Maha Navami on Monday, October 19. Most Canadian Durga Pujas are held on the weekend of October 16–18, including the Lower Mainland Bengali Cultural Society's Sharad Utsav in Surrey.

When are Bathukamma and garba nights in the GTA in 2026?

The Telangana Canada Association lists its Bathukamma Sambaralu for Saturday, October 10, and Saddula Bathukamma falls on Sunday, October 18. Ticketed garba nights include Navrang Navratri Festival dates on October 2 and 3 in Mississauga, October 10 in Brampton and October 24 in Toronto.

Related reading on HinduTone

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the USA: state-by-state guide
• Diwali 2026 in Canada: province-by-province guide
• Hindu temple directory
• Today's panchangam
• Pooja slokas and mantras

Sources and verification

• Muhurat and calendar: Drik Panchang's Vijayadashami timings for Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener and North Vancouver; its 2026 Toronto Hindu calendar; its Shardiya Navratri calendar and Mahashtami pages for the Eastern time zone; 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 Canadian windows.
• Events: Ontario Festivals and Sulekha on GTA garba nights, AllEvents Toronto, Telangana Canada Association, Toronto Telugu Community, Travel And Tour World on Surrey's Durga Puja, Parvasi TV and TikTok posts on Hindu Sabha Mandir's 2025 festival, and Desi Dines on 2025 Oakville and Ottawa listings.
• Fireworks: NOW Toronto on Brampton's bylaw.
• Last verified: September 16, 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with organizers before attending.