Quick answer: Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami) in Sikkim is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 (Navratri 11–19 October; Durga Ashtami 18, Maha Navami 19). In Sikkim, the festival is celebrated by the Nepali Hindu community as Dashain, the biggest festival of the year, culminating in tika and jamara on Vijaya Dashami. Perform the Vijayadashami puja in the Aparahna (early-afternoon) window — confirm the exact Vijay Muhurat for Gangtok with a local panchang.

In Sikkim, the festival is celebrated by the Nepali Hindu community as Dashain, the biggest festival of the year, culminating in tika and jamara on Vijaya Dashami.

How Sikkim celebrates Dussehra & Navratri 2026

Homes plant jamara (barley shoots) at Ghatasthapana and, on Vijaya Dashami, elders place the red tika and jamara on younger relatives with blessings for the year ahead. Temples and community grounds in Gangtok and across the state hold pujas and gatherings through the ten days.

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Where to celebrate in Sikkim

  • Gangtok temples and community celebrations
  • Devi shrines across Sikkim

Dussehra 2026 dates in Sikkim

Date

Observance

Sunday, 11 October

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Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)

Sunday, 18 October

Durga Ashtami

Monday, 19 October

Maha Navami / Ayudha Puja

Tuesday, 20 October

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Dussehra / Vijayadashami

Sunday, 8 November

Diwali

The Vijay Muhurat falls in the early afternoon and varies by city; use a panchang set to your town or check today's panchangam for Gangtok and other cities in Sikkim. Neighbouring Karnataka observes Vijayadashami on 21 October under the Mysuru panchanga.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dashain / Vijaya Dashami 2026 in Sikkim?

Vijaya Dashami is on Tuesday 20 October 2026, when tika and jamara are given; Dashain observances run through the preceding days.

What is tika and jamara?

On Vijaya Dashami, elders bless younger family members with a red rice-and-vermilion tika on the forehead and jamara (barley shoots), the central ritual of Dashain.

Dussehra & Navratri 2026 — India state guides

Explore Dussehra, Navratri and Dasara 2026 across India and the wider guides: