Dussehra 2026 in Canberra: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Temples and Navratri Celebrations

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Canberra is on Wednesday 21 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat in Canberra is 2:59 PM – 3:52 PM local time (AEDT), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. That is one day later than in India, where Vijayadashami is on Tuesday 20 October, because in the ACT the Dashami tithi only begins on Tuesday evening.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): The Canberra times on this page were calculated for the city itself using the Drik Panchang method, with the Dashami tithi (12:50 PM IST 20 Oct to 2:11 PM IST 21 Oct) shown in Canberra's local daylight time, UTC+11. We do not list 2026 event schedules, venues or ticket details, because these are set by temples and community groups each year. Please check their own websites or social pages before you go.

Canberra has one of Australia's longest-established Hindu communities outside the big state capitals. Today the national capital has several temples spread from Tuggeranong in the south to Gungahlin in the north. Navratri and Dussehra bring together Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayali, Marathi, North Indian, Nepali and Fijian Indian families, each with its own way of honouring the Goddess.

Dussehra 2026 dates and Vijay Muhurat for Canberra

Why the 21st? Vijayadashami is observed on the day when the Dashami tithi is present during the Aparahna, the afternoon period used for Aparajita and Shami puja. On Tuesday 20 October, Canberra's afternoon is over long before Dashami begins at 6:20 PM, so the festival moves to Wednesday 21 October, when Dashami covers the whole afternoon. The Vijay Muhurat, 2:59 PM – 3:52 PM, falls comfortably inside both the Aparahna and the Dashami tithi. The ACT is on daylight saving time in October, and all times above already include it.

Bengali-tradition Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 in India (Drik Panchang, Kolkata). Diaspora Durga Pujas in Canberra follow their own committee's schedule, which is often arranged around a weekend.

Hindu temples in Canberra for Navratri & Dussehra

The following temples and community organisations have been confirmed to exist in Canberra:

• Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir, Mawson: run by the Mandir Society of Australia since the 1980s, the temple is home to Lord Venkateswara and Lord Shiva and also houses a public library. It is one of the city's main venues for festivals.
• Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre (HTCC), Torrens: among the first Hindu temples in Canberra, in the Woden Valley, serving devotees with regular worship, festivals and cultural activities.
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Taylor: the striking mandir and community centre in Gungahlin, inaugurated in 2024, where the Swaminarayan community marks the major Hindu festivals.
• Canberra Hindu Mandir, Moncrieff: the community organisation developing a traditional agama-style temple and community facility in Gungahlin.
• ISKCON Canberra, Ainslie: the Hare Krishna temple in Canberra's inner north, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
• Gujarati Samaj of the ACT: the community association behind Canberra's long-running Navratri garba and dandiya celebrations.
• Bengali Association of Canberra: the cultural association that celebrates Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja and other festivals for Canberra's Bengali community.

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages. Temple timings change, so check each temple's official website before you visit.

How Canberra celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Garba and dandiya nights

Gujarati and North Indian families keep Navratri with garba and dandiya raas, the circle dances performed around an image or lamp of the Goddess. In Canberra, community garba nights are usually held in school or community halls on the weekends of the nine days, with families in festive chaniya choli and kurta and an aarti to Amba Mata before the dancing.

Durga Puja

Bengali, Odia and Assamese families celebrate Durga Puja, worshipping the Goddess with her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya. Diaspora pujas in Canberra typically include pushpanjali (flower offering), bhog, cultural programmes by children and adults, and, on the last day, Sindoor Khela and the farewell of the Goddess.

Ramlila and Ravan Dahan

For many North Indian families, Dussehra means Ram's victory over Ravana. In Australia, Ramlila is often staged as a short drama or children's play, and some temples or associations hold a Ravan Dahan, the burning of a Ravana effigy, on the nearest weekend. Effigy burning and fireworks need approval from the ACT authorities, so these events are run only by organisers with the necessary permits.

Golu, Ayudha Puja and Bathukamma

Tamil, Telugu and Kannada families arrange a Golu (Bommai Kolu or Bombe Habba) of dolls on stepped shelves, invite friends to see it and share sundal. On Navami they keep Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja, honouring books, tools and vehicles, and on Vijayadashami children begin learning with Vidyarambham, often at a temple. Telugu families celebrate Bathukamma with stacked flower arrangements and songs, and Canberra's Nepali community keeps Dashain, receiving tika and jamara from elders.

Dussehra puja at home in Canberra

Most Canberra families will mark Vijayadashami at home on Wednesday 21 October, a working day, and join a community celebration on the weekend. A simple home vidhi:

• Prepare: clean the puja space, bathe and wear fresh clothes. Keep a lamp, incense, flowers, kumkum, rice, fruit and a sweet offering ready.
• Aparajita puja: during the Aparahna (2:07 PM – 4:45 PM), ideally in the Vijay Muhurat (2:59 PM – 3:52 PM), draw a simple eight-petalled lotus with kumkum or rice and worship Goddess Aparajita, the undefeated form of Durga, asking for victory over obstacles.
• Shami puja: offer water, rice and flowers to a Shami plant or leaves if you have them. Many Maharashtrian and Karnataka families exchange Apta or Shami leaves as 'gold' with friends and elders.
• Ayudha / Shastra puja: place tools, work laptops, books, musical instruments and car keys before the deity, mark them with kumkum and offer flowers. Families who kept Ayudha Puja on Navami take the items back into use today.
• Vidyarambham: small children write their first letters, often 'Om' or the alphabet, in a plate of rice with a parent's or teacher's help.
• Close: perform aarti, share prasad and seek blessings from elders. Video-call grandparents in India, who will have celebrated a day earlier.

If you cannot finish the puja inside the Vijay Muhurat because of work or school, do it within the Aparahna or later that day while Dashami is still running (it ends at 7:41 PM on Wednesday).

Practical tips for Dussehra in Canberra

• Weekday festival: both Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October are ordinary working and school days in the ACT. Plan a short evening puja and keep bigger celebrations for the weekend.
• Getting around: Canberra's temples are spread across the city, from Mawson and Torrens in the south to Taylor and Moncrieff in Gungahlin. Allow travel time, car-pool where you can and expect car parks to fill quickly on festival weekends.
• Fireworks and effigies: fireworks and open fires are tightly regulated in the ACT. Check the current rules, and only attend Ravan Dahan events run by organisers with permits.
• Weather: Canberra evenings in October can be cold, even after a warm day. Bring warm layers to outdoor garba or Ravan Dahan events.
• Use local times: do not convert India's muhurat to Canberra time. Use the Canberra times above or your temple's panchang.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

For Hindus in Canberra, from Tuggeranong to Gungahlin, Vijayadashami is a day to honour the victory of dharma. As commonly told, Maa Durga defeated Mahishasura and Lord Rama overcame Ravana, proving that light always wins over darkness. In the national capital, far from India, a few heartfelt words can unite families across oceans. On Wednesday 21 October, send a loving Dussehra blessing to your parents, family and friends, and share the joy of this sacred day.

Shami shloka for Vijayadashami

शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी। अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी॥

Shami shamayate papam shami shatru-vinashini, arjunasya dhanurdhari ramasya priyadarshini.

Meaning: The Shami tree takes away sin and destroys enemies; it held Arjuna's bow and is dear to Lord Rama. Many families recite this while offering Shami (Jammi) leaves on Vijayadashami.

Rama mantra to chant on Dussehra

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे। रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः॥

Ramaya ramabhadraya ramachandraya vedhase, raghunathaya nathaya sitayah pataye namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Rama, to Ramabhadra, to Ramachandra the creator, to the lord of the Raghu clan, to the husband of Sita.

Vijayadashami 2026 messages to share

Happy Vijayadashami to our beloved family! 🙏 May Maa Durga bless our home with strength, unity and peace, and may goodness win in all we do. Share on WhatsApp

Dear Amma and Appa, Happy Dussehra and pranams from afar! Your blessings travel with us everywhere. May the Divine Mother keep you healthy, calm and joyful. 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

Happy Dussehra from Canberra, dear friend! May this day of victory sweep away every worry and fill your heart with courage, warmth and plenty of laughter. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

Wishing you and your family a blessed Vijayadashami. May this auspicious day inspire fresh beginnings, clear thinking and success earned through honest effort. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Maa Durga! 🌺 May the Mother who vanquished Mahishasura give you the strength to conquer every fear and the grace to walk on the path of dharma. Share on WhatsApp

From our family in the ACT to yours: may Lord Rama's victory over Ravana inspire us to live with truth, humility and compassion. Jai Shri Ram, Happy Dussehra! 🏹 Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

O Maa Durga, protector of the righteous, and Lord Rama, embodiment of dharma, I bow before you on this Vijayadashami. Give me the strength to overcome my fears, the courage to do what is right, and the wisdom to act with patience and love. Keep my family free from negativity, anger and sorrow, and let our home shine with devotion and peace. Hold us close, and guide us always towards the light.

Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Canberra?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Canberra is on Wednesday 21 October 2026, one day later than in India. The Dashami tithi runs from 6:20 PM on Tuesday 20 October to 7:41 PM on Wednesday, AEDT.

Why is Dussehra in Canberra a day after India?

Vijayadashami is kept on the day Dashami is present during the Aparahna. On Tuesday, Canberra's afternoon is over before Dashami begins at 6:20 PM, so the festival moves to Wednesday 21 October, when Dashami covers the whole afternoon.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Canberra for Dussehra 2026?

The Vijay Muhurat in Canberra is 2:59 PM – 3:52 PM AEDT on Wednesday 21 October, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. The Aparahna puja period is 2:07 PM to 4:45 PM, and sunset is at 7:22 PM.

Which Hindu temples in Canberra celebrate Navratri and Dussehra?

Sri Vishnu Shiva Mandir in Mawson, the Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre in Torrens, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Taylor and ISKCON Canberra in Ainslie are all established. Check each temple's website for 2026 timings.

Where are garba and Durga Puja held in Canberra?

The Gujarati Samaj of the ACT is behind Canberra's long-running garba and dandiya celebrations, usually in school or community halls on Navratri weekends. The Bengali Association of Canberra celebrates Durga Puja, ending with Sindoor Khela.

How can I do Dussehra puja at home in Canberra?

Worship Goddess Aparajita during the Aparahna, ideally in the Vijay Muhurat, and offer water and flowers to Shami leaves. If work gets in the way, finish the puja later that day while Dashami lasts, until 7:41 PM on Wednesday.

Related guides

• Dussehra 2026 Australia, city by city
• Dussehra 2026 in Sydney
• Dussehra 2026 in Wollongong
• Dussehra 2026 in Parramatta
• Dussehra 2026 in Newcastle
• Dussehra 2026 in Melbourne
• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRI families