Dussehra 2026 in Hobart: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Temples and Navratri in Tasmania

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Hobart is on Wednesday 21 October 2026, one day after India. The Vijay Muhurat for Hobart is 3:10 PM – 4:04 PM local time (AEDT, UTC+11), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and the Dashami tithi runs in Hobart from 6:20 PM on Tuesday 20 October to 7:41 PM on Wednesday 21 October.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): The Hobart times on this page were calculated for Hobart's own sunrise and sunset in the Australia/Hobart time zone, which is on daylight saving time (UTC+11) in October. The Dashami tithi (12:50 PM IST 20 Oct to 2:11 PM IST 21 Oct, per Drik Panchang) has been shown in Hobart time, and the Vijay Muhurat follows the Drik Panchang method. We do not list 2026 event schedules, venues or ticket details, because temples and community groups announce these themselves each year.

Hobart's Hindu community is small but close-knit and growing fast, with families from across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji and beyond, and many students at the University of Tasmania. Navratri and Dussehra here are celebrated at the Shree Ganesha Temple in Bridgewater, in community halls and in homes across greater Hobart, with each language community bringing its own traditions.

Dussehra 2026 dates and times for Hobart

Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026, with Ashtami and Navami falling together on Monday 19 October in India. In India, Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 October because Dashami begins at 12:50 PM IST, in time for the afternoon. Hobart is five and a half hours ahead of India in October, so Dashami does not begin until 6:20 PM on Tuesday, after Hobart's afternoon has passed. On Wednesday 21 October the whole Aparahna (2:16 PM – 4:58 PM) falls within Dashami, which is why Vijayadashami is observed on Wednesday in Hobart, as it is across eastern Australia.

Bengal-tradition families should note that Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela are on Wednesday 21 October in India (Drik Panchang, Kolkata). Durga Pujas in the diaspora follow their own committee's schedule, so check with your puja committee.

Hindu temples in Hobart for Navratri & Dussehra

These temples and organisations are active in Hobart and southern Tasmania. We have listed names and areas only; check each group's website or social pages for current details.

• Shree Ganesha Temple (Hindu Society of Tasmania) – Bridgewater, in Hobart's northern suburbs. The Hindu Society of Tasmania runs this temple and cultural centre and organises traditional Hindu festivals for the Tasmanian community.
• Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania (Bharat Bhavan) – Glenorchy. An umbrella body for the Indian community in Hobart that celebrates festivals, cultural events and community gatherings through the year.
• Royal Bengal Club Tasmania – statewide, with members in Hobart. Brings Bengali families together and hosts Durga Pujo.
• Tamil Association of Tasmania – Hobart. One of the regional language groups working with the wider Indian community, alongside Malayali, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi groups.
• Nepali Society of Tasmania and NRNA Tasmania – Hobart. Nepali community organisations that bring families together for cultural celebrations, including Dashain.

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages.

How Hobart celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Garba and dandiya

Gujarati and other North Indian families in Hobart often come together during Navratri for garba and dandiya raas, circling an image or lamp of the Goddess in colourful chaniya choli and kurtas. In a smaller city like Hobart, these nights are typically held in community halls, often on weekends.

Durga Puja and Bijoya

For Bengali families, the heart of the season is Durga Pujo: the idol of Durga with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, pushpanjali, the rhythm of the dhak, cultural evenings and bhog shared after the puja. The festival closes with Bijoya, when married women play Sindoor Khela and everyone exchanges greetings and sweets.

Dashain in the Nepali community

Hobart has one of Australia's fastest-growing Nepali communities, and for them this is Dashain, the biggest festival of the year. Jamara (barley shoots) is sown on the first day of Navratri, and on Vijaya Dashami elders give tika and jamara to younger family members with their blessings. Families often visit one another over several days.

Golu, Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja

Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayali families may set up a Golu (Bommai Kolu or Bombe Habba) display of dolls on odd-numbered steps and invite friends over to sing and share sundal. Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja are kept near the end of Navratri, and on Vijayadashami Kerala and South Indian families mark Vidyarambham, when small children write their first letters. Telangana families may also celebrate Bathukamma with flower stacks and songs.

Ramlila and Ravan Dahan

Large North Indian-style Ravan Dahan events are rare in Hobart. Where groups stage Ramlila scenes or a symbolic effigy, any burning or fireworks need permission from the authorities.

Dussehra puja at home in Hobart

Do the main Vijayadashami worship on Wednesday 21 October, in the afternoon. The ideal time is the Vijay Muhurat, 3:10 PM – 4:04 PM, and the wider Aparahna runs from 2:16 PM – 4:58 PM. Both fall well inside the Dashami tithi.

• Aparajita puja: draw an eight-petalled lotus with rice or kumkum, invoke Goddess Aparajita, the undefeated form of the Devi, and offer flowers, akshat and a lamp, praying for victory over obstacles.
• Shami puja: if you can find a Shami plant, or keep a few leaves, worship it and exchange the leaves as 'gold' with family and friends, a custom loved in Maharashtra and Karnataka. In Nepali and some North Indian homes, jamara takes its place.
• Ayudha / Shastra puja: clean and decorate tools, cars, bikes, laptops and books, apply a tilak and offer flowers. Many South Indian families keep books and instruments for Saraswati Puja and take them back on Vijayadashami.
• Vidyarambham: a child traces 'Om' or the first letters of the alphabet in a plate of rice with a parent or elder guiding the finger.
• Simple vidhi: bathe, light a diya, offer Ganesha a short prayer, then worship Durga or Aparajita, recite the Ram Raksha Stotra or Durga stotras, offer sweets, and finish with aarti. Begin any new venture or purchase during the Vijay Muhurat if you can.

For the full story of Rama's victory and Durga's triumph over Mahishasura, and a detailed puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Practical tips for Dussehra in Hobart

• Weekday festival: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October 2026 are ordinary working and school days in Tasmania. Most community programmes are likely to be held on the nearest weekend, so plan your home puja for Wednesday and the celebrations around the announcements.
• Fireworks and effigies: rules on fireworks and open fires are set by Tasmanian authorities and local councils, and spring can bring fire restrictions. Never burn an effigy or set off fireworks without checking the current rules.
• Getting there: Bridgewater is around half an hour's drive north of the Hobart CBD. Car-pooling helps on busy festival days, and Metro Tasmania buses serve the northern suburbs.
• Spring weather: Hobart evenings in late October can be cool and windy, so bring a warm layer to outdoor or hall events, even with sunset at 7:40 PM.
• Calling India: India celebrates on Tuesday 20 October, a day ahead of Hobart, so a video call lets you share the festival with family there.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

Vijayadashami is the festival of the victory of dharma, of light over darkness. As commonly told, Maa Durga triumphed over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana, showing that goodness always prevails. For Hindus in Hobart, a small but close-knit community across Tasmania, the day is a time for puja, blessings and coming together. Keep that light alive by sending a heartfelt blessing to your family, elders and 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 dear family! 🪔 May this blessed day bring peace to our home, love to our hearts and the courage to walk the path of dharma together. Share on WhatsApp

To my respected parents and elders, your blessings are my shelter. This Dussehra, may Maa Durga keep you healthy, joyful and surrounded by love. 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

Dussehra wishes from our home in Hobart, dear friend! May every darkness in your life fade away and may your days ahead be bright, brave and full of joy. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

Wishing you a blessed Vijayadashami. May this festival bring fresh focus, good harmony and steady success to the work we do together. Warm wishes to your family. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Maa Durga! 🌺 May the Mother who overcame Mahishasura fill you with fearless strength and guard your home from all negativity this Vijayadashami. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Shri Ram! 🏹 Sending love from Tasmania: may Lord Rama's truth, patience and courage guide your steps, and may goodness win in every part of your life. Happy Dussehra! Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

O Maa Durga, O Lord Rama, on this sacred day of victory I bow before you. Give me the strength to meet my challenges, the courage to stand for truth and the wisdom to act with kindness. Remove fear, anger and negativity from my heart and from my family. Though we live far from India, keep us close to dharma, and let your light shine in our home 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 Hobart?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Hobart is on Wednesday 21 October 2026, one day after India. On that day the whole afternoon puja window falls within the Dashami tithi.

What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2026 in Hobart?

The Vijay Muhurat for Hobart is 3:10 PM – 4:04 PM AEDT on Wednesday 21 October, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. The wider Aparahna runs from 2:16 PM to 4:58 PM.

Why is Dussehra a day later in Hobart than in India?

The Dashami tithi begins in Hobart at 6:20 PM on Tuesday 20 October, after the afternoon has passed. Vijayadashami is kept on the day whose Aparahna falls in Dashami, which in Hobart is Wednesday.

Where is Navratri and Dussehra celebrated in Hobart?

The main temple is the Shree Ganesha Temple in Bridgewater, run by the Hindu Society of Tasmania. Groups such as the Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania, Royal Bengal Club Tasmania and the Tamil Association of Tasmania also celebrate.

How do Nepali families in Hobart celebrate Dashain?

For Hobart's Nepali community this is Dashain, the biggest festival of the year. Jamara is sown on the first day of Navratri, and on Vijaya Dashami elders give tika and jamara to younger family members with blessings.

How can I do Dussehra puja at home in Hobart?

On Wednesday afternoon, ideally in the Vijay Muhurat, do Aparajita puja, Shami puja and Ayudha puja for tools and books. Light a diya, offer sweets and finish with aarti.

Related guides

• Dussehra 2026 Australia, city by city
• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRI families
• Dussehra 2026 in Launceston
• Dussehra 2026 in Melbourne
• Dussehra 2026 in Sydney
• Dussehra 2026 in Canberra
• Dussehra 2026 in Adelaide
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar