Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 in Singapore: Date, Golu, Ayudha Puja & How It’s Celebrated

Quick answer: Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 in Singapore falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 — the culmination of Navaratri. It is not a public holiday (Deepavali is), and is observed at home and in temples with Golu, Saraswati and Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham.

Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 (in some Bengali calendars Bijoya Dashami is observed on 21 October). It follows the nine nights of Navaratri; the Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna window fall in the afternoon — confirm the exact local timing with a trusted panchang. In Singapore, Vijayadashami is observed largely at home and in temples as the culmination of Navaratri — not as a public holiday (Deepavali is the gazetted Indian holiday here).

Quick answer: Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 in Singapore

How Vijayadashami is observed in Singapore

For Singapore’s large Tamil and broader Indian community, Vijayadashami is the tenth day that closes Navaratri. The most visible tradition is the Golu (Bommai Kolu) — the tiered display of dolls kept through the nine nights and ceremonially concluded on Vijayadashami, when one doll is symbolically laid down to be "put to sleep" for the year. Temples in Little India — Sri Srinivasa Perumal, Sri Thendayuthapani and Sri Mariamman among them — hold Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja, and many families perform Vidyarambham, initiating children into learning, on this most auspicious day to begin anything new.

What to do on Vijayadashami

• Conclude the Navaratri Golu and offer the final sundal and thamboolam to visitors.
• Ayudha Puja — clean and honour tools, instruments, books and vehicles; students place books and instruments before Saraswati.
• Vidyarambham — begin a child’s learning, or start any new venture, during the auspicious day.
• Visit a Little India temple for Saraswati/Durga darshan; many families combine it with a family meal.

The meaning of Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami — "the tenth day of victory" — carries two great traditions that meet on the same day: Rama’s victory over Ravana (celebrated in the North as Dussehra with Ravan Dahan), and Durga’s victory over Mahishasura (the culmination of Navaratri and Durga Puja). Both are the triumph of dharma over adharma; in South-Indian and diaspora Tamil practice the Navaratri–Saraswati–Ayudha strand is the most prominent.

Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: Tuesday, 20 October. In Singapore it is a day of Golu, Saraswati and new beginnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 in Singapore?

Tuesday, 20 October 2026, following the nine nights of Navaratri. It is not a public holiday in Singapore (Deepavali is the gazetted Indian holiday).

How is Vijayadashami celebrated in Singapore?

Mainly at home and in temples as the culmination of Navaratri — concluding the Golu doll display, Saraswati and Ayudha Puja, Vidyarambham for children, and temple visits in Little India.

Is there Ravan Dahan in Singapore?

Public Ravan-effigy burning is not a Singapore tradition; some North-Indian associations may hold cultural Ramlila events. Vijayadashami here is observed mainly as the Navaratri culmination.

What is the difference between Dussehra and Vijayadashami?

They are the same festival (the tenth day). "Dussehra" emphasises Rama’s victory over Ravana; "Vijayadashami" is the common South-Indian term and the Navaratri culmination honouring Durga and Saraswati.