Dussehra 2026 Europe: Country-by-Country Dates, Vijay Muhurat and Events

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October across all of Europe. Navratri starts on Sunday 11 October and Maha Navami is on Monday 19 October; Durga Ashtami is Sunday 18 October in the UK and Western Europe, and may be listed as the 18th or the 19th further east. The Vijay Muhurat is a local afternoon window: 2:29–3:10 PM in London, 2:34–3:15 PM in Berlin, 3:20–4:03 PM in Paris and 3:08–3:50 PM in Amsterdam. India's window (1:59–2:45 PM IST) is never the right time in Europe, so do not convert it.

Navratri and Dussehra 2026 dates in Europe

Why the Ashtami split? The Ashtami tithi begins at 8:27am IST on Sunday 18 October. In the UK and Western Europe that moment falls in the small hours of Sunday, before sunrise, so Drik Panchang for the UK and Germany lists Durga Ashtami on Sunday 18 October. Panchangs used in Eastern Europe, the Baltics and the Balkans are less uniform, and some place it on Monday 19 October, as the panchangs for the UAE, Singapore and Malaysia do. If your community is Bengali, follow your puja committee's schedule; if you follow the Telangana calendar, Saddula Bathukamma is on Sunday 18 October.

Bengali Durga Puja committees often run their own sequence. For reference, the Kolkata schedule this year is Maha Shashthi on 17 October, Saptami on 18 October, Ashtami on 19 October, Navami on 19–20 October and Sindoor Khela on 21 October. European pujas frequently move rituals to the nearest weekend, so the committee's own programme is what counts.

How the Vijay Muhurat works, and why India's time does not apply

The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 muhurtas between sunrise and sunset, so it depends entirely on where you are. All windows below are for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time, calculated with the same sunrise-to-sunset method used across this guide series. London, Berlin and Paris match Drik Panchang's published windows, and the rest agree with Drik to within about a minute.

Three things stand out in Europe this year:

• Time zones distort the clock. Spain and France sit on Central European time despite being far to the west, so Madrid (3:48–4:32 PM) and Paris (3:20–4:03 PM) have the latest windows on the continent, while Warsaw (2:04–2:45 PM) and Moscow (1:55–2:35 PM) are among the earliest.
• Short days in the north. In Reykjavik, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki the day is shorter, so each muhurta is shorter too and the window is around 37 to 41 minutes rather than the 44 or so further south.
• No Dashami caution in Europe. Dashami begins at 12:50pm IST, which is morning everywhere in Europe, so the whole afternoon window falls inside Dashami. (That is different from Singapore and Malaysia, where Dashami only starts at 3:20 PM.)

Do not use India's window. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45 PM IST. Converted to European time it lands in the morning, when the sun is in a completely different position. It is not the right window anywhere in Europe.

United Kingdom and Ireland

The UK has Europe's largest Hindu community, and the region-by-region detail (Leicester, the Midlands, the North, Scotland, Wales) is in our UK Dussehra guide. Well-known temples such as BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden and Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford hold large Navratri and Dussehra programmes. In Ireland, Dublin has the largest Indian community, with Durga Puja and Telugu events growing every year.

Western and Central Europe

Germany: Berlin's window suits the north and east; Frankfurt's is closer for Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne and the Rhine-Main area (western cities run a few minutes later still). Germany has a large Tamil Hindu community, centred on temples such as the Sri Kamadchi Ampal temple in Hamm, alongside fast-growing Telugu, Bengali and Gujarati communities around Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.

Netherlands: the Netherlands has one of Europe's oldest Hindu communities through its Surinamese Hindustani population, plus many recent Indian arrivals around Amsterdam, Amstelveen, The Hague and Eindhoven. Two confirmed Bengali Durga Puja clusters fall on 17–21 October (see Events below).

France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and the small states: Paris has Tamil temples around La Chapelle, and Brussels, Zurich, Geneva and Vienna have active Indian associations. In Monaco, Andorra, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, most families travel to a nearby city for temple events and mark the day at home.

Southern Europe and the Mediterranean

Spain has the latest Vijay Muhurat in Europe: Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid families can comfortably fit it after lunch. Portugal, despite being further west, runs on Western European time, so Lisbon's window is earlier than Madrid's. Italy has sizeable Punjabi and Sikh communities in the north and growing Hindu communities in Rome and Milan. In Malta, Greece and Cyprus, Indian communities are smaller and most observance is at home or through community associations.

Nordic countries and Iceland

The Nordic capitals have fast-growing Indian professional communities, many from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Celebrations are often organised by Indian associations or temple societies in rented halls, typically on the weekend of 17–18 October. Note how short the windows are this far north: 39 minutes in Stockholm and Oslo, 37 in Reykjavik.

Baltic states

Indian students and IT professionals make up most of the Hindu community in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Check with your university Indian society or the local Indian association for Navratri and Dussehra gatherings, and confirm which date your group uses for Durga Ashtami.

Central and Eastern Europe

Poland, Czechia and Hungary have growing Indian tech communities in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Prague and Budapest, and ISKCON centres are present in several capitals. Many groups hold Navratri garba on the weekend of 17–18 October. If you are outside the reference city, your window will usually be within a few minutes; cities well to the west of their capital run a little later.

The Balkans

Hindu communities across the Balkans are small, so most families observe Navratri and Dussehra at home: a kalash or lamp on Sunday 11 October, Saraswati and Ayudha Puja on Monday 19 October (Maha Navami) or Tuesday 20 October (the date Drik Panchang gives in India), and a short Vijayadashami puja within the local window on Tuesday 20 October.

Confirmed Durga Puja and Dussehra events in Europe, 2026

These are the only European events we have verified so far. Entries marked † are listed by third-party sites — confirm with the organiser before you travel.

Several organisations usually announce later: NLTC in the Netherlands and Telanganites of Ireland have no 2026 date yet. For Telugu and Bathukamma events, see our Bathukamma and Dasara 2026 Europe guide.

Not on the list? That does not mean nothing is happening. Check your local temple, ISKCON centre, Indian association or Bengali puja committee; most publish their 2026 programme in early October.

Marking Dussehra on a working Tuesday in Europe

• Weekend before (17–18 October): the main community events, garba nights and Durga Puja days.
• Monday 19 or Tuesday 20 October, evening: Saraswati and Ayudha Puja at home (Drik lists 20 October in India); place books, instruments and tools before the deity.
• Tuesday 20 October, afternoon: if you can, take a short break within your local window for a lamp, a prayer or the Shami-leaf exchange.
• Tuesday 20 October, evening: temple visit or family puja; take back the books from the Saraswati Puja.
• Look ahead: Diwali is on Sunday 8 November 2026.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

From Reykjavik to Nicosia, Hindus across Europe will pause on Tuesday 20 October to remember that dharma always prevails. As commonly told, Maa Durga triumphed over Mahishasura and Lord Rama defeated Ravana, and Vijayadashami celebrates that victory of light over darkness and truth over pride. Far from India, a few warm words can carry the blessing of the day across borders and time zones. Choose a message below and send it to your family, your elders and your friends today.

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 whole family! 🪔 May the light of this sacred day fill our home with peace, courage and love, and may goodness always guide our steps. Share on WhatsApp

Pranam to our beloved parents and elders on Dussehra. 🙏 Your blessings are our greatest strength. May Maa Durga keep you healthy, peaceful and always smiling. Share on WhatsApp

Sending Dussehra love from our home in Europe to all our dear friends! 🌼 May this day of victory bring you fresh courage, joyful hearts and new beginnings. Share on WhatsApp

Warm Vijayadashami wishes to my colleagues. May this auspicious day bring clarity to our work, kindness to our teamwork and success in every honest effort. Share on WhatsApp

May Maa Durga, who triumphed over Mahishasura, give you the strength to overcome every fear and the shakti to stand firm for what is right. Happy Vijayadashami! 🔱 Share on WhatsApp

Though we celebrate far away in Europe, may Lord Rama's blessings reach you across every mile. 🏹 May truth, patience and dharma light your path this Dussehra. Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Durga, Lord Rama, on this day of victory I bow before you with a humble heart. Grant me the strength to face my struggles, the courage to choose what is right, and the wisdom to act with patience and kindness. Wherever we live, keep my family united and free from negativity, anger and fear. Let your light guide our home today and always.

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

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Europe?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October in every European country. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October and Maha Navami falls on Monday 19 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in London, Berlin and Paris in 2026?

On Tuesday 20 October the Vijay Muhurat is 2:29–3:10 PM in London, 2:34–3:15 PM in Berlin and 3:20–4:03 PM in Paris, all in local time. Other countries have their own local afternoon window.

Can I convert India's Vijay Muhurat to European time?

No. India's window of 1:59–2:45 PM IST lands in the European morning, when the sun is in a completely different position. Always use the afternoon window calculated for your own city.

When is Durga Ashtami 2026 in Europe?

In the UK and Western Europe, Durga Ashtami is on Sunday 18 October. Panchangs used in Eastern Europe, the Baltics and the Balkans vary between Sunday 18 or Monday 19 October, so check your local panchang or puja committee.

Why is the Vijay Muhurat shorter in the Nordic countries?

The October day is shorter in the far north, so each muhurta is shorter too. The window lasts about 39 minutes in Stockholm and Oslo and 37 minutes in Reykjavik, compared with around 44 minutes further south.

Where do Hindus in Europe celebrate Dussehra?

In the UK, temples such as BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden and Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford hold large programmes. Germany's Tamil community gathers at temples such as the Sri Kamadchi Ampal temple in Hamm, and many Indian associations across Europe celebrate on the weekend of 17–18 October.

Editor's note

Editor's note (4 October 2026): dates follow Drik Panchang (UK and Germany) and the content pack's date map; Vijay Muhurat windows are calculated from local sunrise and sunset and agree with Drik's published values. Only the events listed above are confirmed. Temples and associations across Europe are still announcing programmes, and organisers are still publishing 2026 flyers; we will update this guide.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: the complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 UK, region by region
• Bathukamma and Dasara 2026 Europe, city by city
• Bathukamma 2026 UK, region by region
• Dussehra 2026 USA, state by state
• Dussehra 2026 Singapore, area by area
• Navratri 2026: the NRI and diaspora guide
• Diwali 2026 UK: London and Leicester