Dussehra 2026 in Malaysia: Vijayadasami Date, Muhurat & State-by-State Guide to Navarathiri, Golu, Durga Puja and Bathukamma

Quick answer: Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadasami) falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in Malaysia, the same date as in India. Navarathiri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar places Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on Monday 19 October. The Vijay Muhurat in Kuala Lumpur is 2:58–3:46pm, and because the Dashami tithi only begins at 3:20pm, the part of that window that falls in Dashami is 3:20–3:46pm. Deepavali follows on Sunday 8 November.

Dussehra 2026 in Malaysia is celebrated above all as Navarathiri and Vijayadasami. Temples from Kuala Lumpur to George Town hold nine nights of ubayam prayers, families set up Golu displays, and Ayutha Poojai sees vehicles and tools blessed at the end of the festival. Around 6% of Malaysians are Hindu, most of them Tamil, alongside Telugu, Malayalee, Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Bengali and Nepali communities who bring their own traditions to the season.

This guide covers Dussehra and Navarathiri 2026 in every Malaysian state and federal territory. You'll find the festival calendar on Malaysian time, Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna timings for 20 cities, the temples known for their Navarathiri celebrations, and the fireworks rules to know before Deepavali. For the legends, rituals and meaning behind the festival, read our complete Dussehra 2026 guide.

Editor's note: Temple and event details were checked on 16 September 2026. Most temples publish Navarathiri schedules closer to the festival, and we will update this page as they do. Please confirm timings with your temple before you go.

Dussehra 2026 in Malaysia at a glance

• Main day: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Dashami), across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
• Navarathiri: Begins on Sunday 11 October. Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar counts 10 days this year, with Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on Monday 19 October and Navami rituals and Vijayadasami on Tuesday 20 October.
• Tamil observances: Tamil calendars published in India list Saraswathi Poojai and Ayutha Poojai on Monday 19 October, while Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October, so follow your temple's schedule.
• Vijay Muhurat: 2:58 to 3:46pm in Kuala Lumpur. The Dashami tithi begins at 3:20pm, so the last 26 minutes of that window fall in Dashami.
• Time zone: Malaysia Time (UTC+8) applies nationwide with no daylight saving, so the sun sets much earlier on the clock in Sabah and Sarawak than in Penang.
• Holiday status: Navarathiri and Vijayadasami are not public holidays. Deepavali on Sunday 8 November is, with a replacement holiday on Monday 9 November in most states.
• Fireworks: Only 45 approved types, such as Pop-Pop and Happy Boom, are allowed, and even those need a police permit to sell. Other firecrackers can bring up to seven years' jail, a RM10,000 fine, or both.

Navarathiri and Vijayadasami 2026 dates in Malaysia

These key dates follow Drik Panchang's 2026 Kuala Lumpur calendars and apply across Malaysia.

• A 10-day Navarathiri: One tithi spans two sunrises on Malaysian time this year, so Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar counts 10 days, from 11 to 20 October.
• Saraswathi and Ayutha Poojai: Tamil calendars published in India list both on Monday 19 October, with Vijaya Dhasami on Tuesday 20 October. Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October. Your temple's Navarathiri schedule will confirm which day it follows.
• Bathukamma: Saddula Bathukamma is celebrated on Durgashtami, Monday 19 October, so Telugu associations usually celebrate on a nearby weekend.
• Bengali families: The Bengal calendar places Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Khela on Wednesday 21 October, a day after Vijayadasami.

Is Vijayadasami 2026 on 20 October everywhere in Malaysia?

Yes. The Dashami tithi begins at 3:20pm Malaysia Time on Tuesday 20 October and ends at 4:41pm on Wednesday 21 October. Vijayadasami is observed when Dashami prevails during Aparahna, the afternoon period, and Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar keeps the festival on Tuesday 20 October, the same day as India. Because Dashami starts in the middle of the afternoon, the Dashami part of the Aparahna window is shorter on Malaysian clocks, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where the afternoon ends earliest.

Vijayadasami 2026 Vijay Muhurat in Malaysian 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 new beginnings such as Vidyarambham. Both depend on local sunrise and sunset, so they differ across the country even though Malaysia uses one clock.

Don't convert India's times. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45pm IST, which reads 4:29–5:15pm in Malaysia. That converted window isn't a Malaysian muhurat. In Kuala Lumpur, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:58–3:46pm.

• Dashami starts at 3:20pm everywhere. In most of Peninsular Malaysia it arrives during the Vijay Muhurat. In Kota Kinabalu, Labuan and Kuching the calculated Vijay Muhurat ends before 3:20pm, so families there may prefer the Dashami part of Aparahna or follow their temple's timing.
• Nearby towns are usually within a few minutes of the listed city. Use a panchang set to your town, or check today's panchangam.

Are Navarathiri and Vijayadasami public holidays in Malaysia?

No. Navarathiri and Vijayadasami are not public holidays, and Vijayadasami falls on a Tuesday this year. A few things to plan around:

• Work and school: If you want to attend the Vijayadasami puja or Vidyarambham, ask your employer or school for leave in advance.
• Weekends differ by state: Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu rest on Friday and Saturday, while the rest of the country rests on Saturday and Sunday, so weekend Navarathiri programmes fall on different days.
• Deepavali is the big holiday: Deepavali on Sunday 8 November is a public holiday everywhere except Sarawak. Monday 9 November is a replacement holiday nationwide except in Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Terengganu.

Where to celebrate Navarathiri and Vijayadasami 2026 in Malaysia

Temples publish their 2026 Navarathiri ubayam schedules closer to the festival. These temples and groups are known for their celebrations.

Dussehra 2026 state by state: every state and federal territory

States are grouped by region. Each entry covers the temples and communities that anchor Navarathiri and Vijayadasami, and local Vijay Muhurat timings. For temple addresses and hours, use the HinduTone temple directory or the temple's own channels.

Jump to a state or territory:

• Central region: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya
• Northern region: Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak
• Southern region: Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor
• East Coast: Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan
• East Malaysia: Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan

Central region: Dussehra 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya

The Klang Valley has the country's largest Hindu population and its busiest Navarathiri calendar.

Kuala Lumpur

• Sri Maha Mariamman Temple: Completed in 1873, it is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, with a 22.9-metre gopuram, and Navaratri is one of its major festivals.
• Nightly prayers: Laxmi Narayanan Mandir in Sentul holds nightly Navarathiri prayers and bhajans, Sri Maha Durgai Amman Temple honours a different form of Durga each night, and Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple holds evening prayers and devotional songs.
• Bathukamma: The Malaysia Telangana Association holds an annual Bathukamma celebration; its 2025 edition was held at Thean Hou Temple.
• Shopping: Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur's Little India, is the go-to area for Golu dolls, flowers, puja items and festive clothes.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:58 to 3:46pm, within Aparahna from 2:10 to 4:35pm. Sunset is at 6:59pm.

Selangor

• Kuala Selangor: Sri Shakti Devasthanam in Bukit Rotan, admired for its grand design and intricate carvings, and Kuil Sri Arulmigu Melmalayanur Angala Parameswary Amman in Jeram both draw devotees during Navarathiri.
• Batu Caves: The Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple complex in Gombak, famous for Thaipusam, is also a place of worship through the festival season.
• Klang, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam: Temples and Tamil, Telugu and North Indian community groups hold Navarathiri prayers, Golu displays and cultural nights. Klang's Little India is a busy stop for festive shopping.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 3:00 to 3:48pm in Klang, 2:59 to 3:47pm in Petaling Jaya and 2:59 to 3:47pm in Shah Alam.

Putrajaya

Families in Putrajaya celebrate at home and at temples across the Klang Valley. The Vijay Muhurat in Putrajaya is 2:59 to 3:47pm.

Northern region: Dussehra 2026 in Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak

Penang's Queen Street temple hosts one of the country's best-known Navarathiri festivals.

Penang

• Queen Street, George Town: Navarathiri is the most important festival at Arulmigu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple. It opens with a lion flag-raising ceremony and closes on Vijayadasami, when the goddess's panchaloha deity is taken out on a decorated wooden chariot; the procession now stays around the Esplanade and Fort Cornwallis area. In 2025, the temple held a Vijayadashami procession with a new chariot.
• Butterworth: Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam holds nightly Navarathiri prayers.
• Temple administration: The Penang Hindu Endowments Board publishes temple festival updates.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 3:03 to 3:51pm in George Town and 3:03 to 3:51pm in Butterworth.

Kedah

Sungai Petani, Kulim and Alor Setar communities celebrate Navarathiri at local temples. Kedah's weekend is Friday and Saturday. The Vijay Muhurat is 3:03 to 3:51pm in Sungai Petani and 3:03 to 3:51pm in Alor Setar.

Perlis

Perlis has a small Hindu community centred on Kangar, which celebrates at home and at local temples. The Vijay Muhurat in Kangar is 3:04 to 3:51pm.

Perak

Ipoh, Taiping and Teluk Intan have long-established Hindu communities and temples that hold Navarathiri ubayam prayers and Vijayadasami programmes. The Vijay Muhurat in Ipoh is 3:01 to 3:49pm.

Southern region: Dussehra 2026 in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor

The southern states combine historic temples in Melaka with a large community in Johor Bahru.

Negeri Sembilan

Seremban, Nilai and Port Dickson communities celebrate at local temples and at home. The Vijay Muhurat in Seremban is 2:58 to 3:46pm.

Melaka

Kuil Sri Subramaniar Thuropathai Amman Alaya Paripalana Sabai holds family-centred Navarathiri celebrations, and Melaka's historic Hindu temples draw devotees through the festival. The Vijay Muhurat in Melaka is 2:57 to 3:45pm.

Johor

• Johor Bahru: Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam, one of the city's oldest temples, fills with devotees for evening Navarathiri prayers, and the city's other temples, including its well-known Glass Temple, hold festival programmes.
• Across the state: Batu Pahat, Muar, Kluang and Segamat communities celebrate at local temples.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Johor Bahru is 2:51 to 3:39pm.

East Coast: Dussehra 2026 in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan

The East Coast has smaller Hindu communities, and Terengganu and Kelantan rest on Friday and Saturday.

Pahang

Kuantan and Temerloh communities celebrate at local temples and at home. The Vijay Muhurat in Kuantan is 2:52 to 3:40pm.

Terengganu

Terengganu's small community, centred on Kuala Terengganu and Kemaman, celebrates at home and at local temples. The Vijay Muhurat in Kuala Terengganu is 2:52 to 3:40pm.

Kelantan

Kelantan's small community in Kota Bharu celebrates at home and at local temples. The Vijay Muhurat in Kota Bharu is 2:56 to 3:43pm.

East Malaysia: Dussehra 2026 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan

East Malaysia shares Malaysia Time with the peninsula, but the sun rises and sets much earlier on the clock, so the Vijay Muhurat comes before Dashami begins at 3:20pm.

Sabah

Kota Kinabalu's community celebrates at local temples and at home. The calculated Vijay Muhurat is 2:00 to 2:48pm, before Dashami begins, so the Dashami part of Aparahna runs from 3:20 to 3:36pm.

Sarawak

Kuching and Miri communities celebrate at local temples and at home. Deepavali is not a gazetted public holiday in Sarawak. The calculated Vijay Muhurat in Kuching is 2:24 to 3:13pm, and the Dashami part of Aparahna runs from 3:20 to 4:01pm.

Labuan

Labuan's small community celebrates at home and with friends. The calculated Vijay Muhurat is 2:04 to 2:52pm, and the Dashami part of Aparahna runs from 3:20 to 3:40pm.

How to find Navarathiri and Vijayadasami 2026 events near you

• Start with your temple. Most temples announce their Navarathiri ubayam schedule, Golu display and Vijayadasami programme in early October. Search the HinduTone temple directory to find one near you.
• Follow temple boards. The Penang Hindu Endowments Board and temple committees share updates on social media.
• Check community associations. The Malaysia Telangana Association runs Bathukamma, and Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi and Malayalee groups hold their own Navarathiri and Durga Puja programmes.
• Watch local media. Tamil media such as Astro Ulagam publish temple guides for the festival season.

Your Navarathiri and Vijayadasami 2026 planner for Malaysia

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 Navarathiri and Vijayadasami in Malaysia

• Tamil families set up Golu, attend nightly temple ubayam, and mark Saraswathi Poojai and Ayutha Poojai by honouring books, instruments, tools and vehicles.
• Malayalee families celebrate Vidyarambham on Vijayadasami, when young children write their first letters.
• Telugu families celebrate Bathukamma with flower towers and circle songs, and on Dasara they exchange Jammi (Shami) leaves and Alai Balai embraces.
• Punjabi, Sindhi and North Indian families perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami and mark Dussehra with Ramayana readings.
• Gujarati families dance garba and dandiya raas through the nine nights.
• Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja with pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja and dhunuchi naach, then close with Sindoor Khela and Bijoya greetings.
• Nepali families celebrate Dashain, receiving tika and jamara from elders on Bijaya Dashami.

Fireworks, lamps and festival safety

• Buy only approved fireworks. Under the 2025 Explosives (Prohibition) Notification, only 45 types of fireworks, including Pop-Pop and Happy Boom, are permitted, and even these need a permit from the district police chief to sell.
• Know the penalties. Possessing, selling, buying or using other firecrackers can lead to action under the Explosives Act 1957, with up to seven years' jail, a RM10,000 fine, or both.
• Stop by midnight. Police warn that playing fireworks after midnight can lead to action under the Minor Offences Act 1955.
• Leave big displays to licensed operators. In October 2025, unauthorised pyrotechnics at a Deepavali celebration in Kulim injured 22 people.
• Use lamps safely. Keep oil lamps away from Golu fabrics and paper decorations, and never leave them unattended.
• Plan for the weather and crowds. October evenings often bring thunderstorms, and roads near popular temples get congested on the final nights.

Wherever you celebrate, from the Queen Street chariot in George Town to a Golu display in Kuching, may Vijayadasami bring victory, knowledge and new beginnings to your family. Happy Navarathiri and Vijayadasami!

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra (Vijayadasami) 2026 in Malaysia?

Dussehra (Vijayadasami) 2026 falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in Malaysia, the same date as in India. Navarathiri begins on Sunday 11 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat for Vijayadasami 2026 in Kuala Lumpur?

On Tuesday 20 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat in Kuala Lumpur is 2:58 to 3:46pm. The Dashami tithi begins at 3:20pm, so the part of the window that falls in Dashami is 3:20 to 3:46pm.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Penang, Johor Bahru and Ipoh?

On 20 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 3:03 to 3:51pm in George Town, 2:51 to 3:39pm in Johor Bahru and 3:01 to 3:49pm in Ipoh, all in Malaysia Time.

What are the Vijayadasami timings in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching?

The calculated Vijay Muhurat is 2:00 to 2:48pm in Kota Kinabalu and 2:24 to 3:13pm in Kuching, both before Dashami begins at 3:20pm. The Dashami part of the afternoon window runs from 3:20 to 3:36pm in Kota Kinabalu and from 3:20 to 4:01pm in Kuching.

Can I follow India's muhurat in Malaysia?

No. India's Vijay Muhurat (1:59 to 2:45pm IST) converts to 4:29 to 5:15pm in Malaysia, but the muhurat depends on local sunrise and sunset. In Kuala Lumpur it is 2:58 to 3:46pm.

When is Navarathiri 2026 in Malaysia?

Navarathiri 2026 begins on Sunday 11 October. Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar places Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on Monday 19 October, Navami rituals on Tuesday 20 October and Vijayadasami the same day.

When are Saraswathi Poojai and Ayutha Poojai 2026 in Malaysia?

Tamil calendars published in India list Saraswathi Poojai and Ayutha Poojai on Monday 19 October 2026, while Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur calendar lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October. Check your temple's Navarathiri schedule for the day it follows.

Is Navarathiri or Vijayadasami a public holiday in Malaysia?

No. Navarathiri and Vijayadasami are not public holidays in Malaysia. Deepavali, on Sunday 8 November 2026, is a public holiday everywhere except Sarawak.

Where can I celebrate Navarathiri in Malaysia?

Temples known for Navarathiri include Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Laxmi Narayanan Mandir and Sri Maha Durgai Amman Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Arulmigu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Queen Street in George Town, Sree Maha Mariamman Devasthanam in Butterworth and Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam in Johor Bahru.

Can I play fireworks during Navarathiri or Deepavali in Malaysia?

Only the 45 approved types, such as Pop-Pop and Happy Boom, are allowed, and sellers need a police permit. Other firecrackers can bring up to seven years' jail, a RM10,000 fine, or both, and police warn against playing fireworks after midnight.

When is Deepavali 2026 in Malaysia?

Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November and is a public holiday everywhere except Sarawak. Monday 9 November is a replacement holiday in all states except Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Terengganu.

Related reading on HinduTone

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

Sources and verification

• Muhurat and calendar: Drik Panchang's Kuala Lumpur pages for Vijayadashami, the 2026 Hindu calendar, Shardiya Navratri and Durga Puja; Daily Calendar Tamil for Tamil observances in India; 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 windows.
• Temples: Wikipedia on Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, the Penang Hindu Endowments Board on Queen Street Sri Maha Mariamman and its festival updates, Astro Ulagam on Navarathiri temples, and the Malaysia Telangana Association.
• Holidays: timeanddate.com and PublicHolidays.com.my.
• Fireworks: Malay Mail and SAYS on the 2026 police reminders, and Malay Mail on the 2025 Kulim incident.
• Population: Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2020 Census.
• Last verified: 16 September 2026. Temple schedules can change, so confirm with your temple before attending.