Dussehra 2026 in the UK: Date, Vijay Muhurat & Region-by-Region Guide to Ravan Dahan, Navratri, Durga Puja and Bathukamma

Quick answer: Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 across the UK, the same date as in India. Sharad Navratri runs from Sunday 11 October to Maha Navami on Monday 19 October. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:29–3:10pm in London and 2:32–3:14pm in Leicester (BST). It falls in the afternoon, not at the mid-morning times you get by converting India's clock. Bhaktivedanta Manor's Dussehra festival is on Sunday 25 October (free, ticket required), and London's Telangana community celebrates Bathukamma and Dasara in Heston on Saturday 17 October.

Dussehra 2026 in the UK caps a fortnight of festivities. Garba-goers fill halls around Leicester's Belgrave Road, Bengali associations from Wanstead to Harrow set up Durga Puja, and Telangana families gather in west London for Bathukamma. More than a million people in England and Wales identified as Hindu in the 2021 Census, and Navratri and Dussehra are now part of the autumn calendar in towns across Britain.

This guide covers Dussehra and Navratri 2026 across the UK, region by region. You'll find the festival calendar in British Summer Time, Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna timings for cities from London to Belfast, confirmed 2026 events, and the temples and associations that anchor celebrations in each part of the country. For the legends, rituals and meaning behind the festival, read our complete Dussehra 2026 guide.

Editor's note: Event details were checked against organiser, temple and ticketing listings on 16 September 2026. We will update this page as more organisers confirm their plans. Please confirm details before you go.

Dussehra 2026 in the UK at a glance

• Main day: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Dashami), in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Navratri: Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October, with Ghatasthapana on 11 October, Durga Ashtami on Sunday 18 October and Maha Navami on Monday 19 October. Some garba series begin on the evening of Saturday 10 October.
• Durga Puja: Drik Panchang's UK calendar runs from Shashthi on Friday 16 October to Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Utsav on Wednesday 21 October, and London's pujas fall within that window.
• Vijay Muhurat: An afternoon window, 2:29 to 3:10pm in London, that families use for Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and new beginnings.
• Clocks: All timings are in British Summer Time (UTC+1). The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, the day of Bhaktivedanta Manor's Dussehra festival.
• Holiday status: Dussehra is not a bank holiday, and it falls in term time for many schools.
• Fireworks: Adults can use consumer fireworks in England and Wales, but on Dussehra they must stop by 11pm, because the later Diwali curfew doesn't apply. Scotland and Northern Ireland have stricter rules.
• Diwali comes next: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) follows 19 days later, on Sunday 8 November.

Navratri and Dussehra 2026 dates in the UK

These dates follow Drik Panchang's 2026 calendar for London, which places Maha Navami on 19 October and Dussehra on 20 October. The same dates apply across the UK.

• Sandhi Puja, the 48-minute window where Ashtami meets Navami, falls before dawn, from 5:57 to 6:45am on Monday 19 October. Because it comes before sunrise, it still belongs to the Ashtami day in the traditional reckoning.
• Bengali Durga Puja: Drik Panchang's Durga Puja calendar for London lists Shashthi (Bilva Nimantran, Kalparambha and Akal Bodhon) on Friday 16 October, Saptami on Saturday 17 October, Ashtami with Kumari Puja on Sunday 18 October, Nabami on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 October, and Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Utsav on Wednesday 21 October. Some UK pujas follow Kolkata panjikas instead, which run a day later.
• Bathukamma ends with Saddula Bathukamma on Durgashtami, Sunday 18 October. The Telangana Association of UK's London celebration is on Saturday 17 October.

Is Dussehra 2026 on 20 October everywhere in the UK?

Yes. The Dashami tithi begins at 8:20am BST on Tuesday 20 October and ends at 9:41am on Wednesday 21 October. Vijayadashami is observed on the day Dashami prevails during Aparahna, the afternoon period, so 20 October is Dussehra in every UK city. The Bengali Durga Visarjan is different: Drik Panchang's UK calendar places it on Wednesday 21 October, the only morning when Dashami is already running at sunrise.

Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat in UK 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 Seema Avalanghan. Both depend on local sunrise and sunset, so they shift from city to city. Ravan Dahan programmes usually take place after dark.

Don't convert India's times. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45pm IST, which reads 9:29–10:15am in the UK, about an hour after Dashami begins here. That converted window isn't a UK muhurat. In Britain, the Vijay Muhurat falls in the afternoon: 2:29 to 3:10pm in London.

• West runs later: The whole UK shares one clock, but Belfast's Vijay Muhurat starts 21 minutes after London's because the city lies so much farther west.
• Nearby towns are usually within a few minutes of the listed city. Use a panchang set to your town, or check today's panchangam.

Is Dussehra a holiday in the UK in 2026?

No. Dussehra is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK, and in 2026 it falls on a Tuesday. A few things to plan around:

• School: Dussehra falls in term time for many schools, and October half-term dates vary by council. Speak to your child's school in advance about absence for religious observance.
• Work: If you want to attend the Vijayadashami puja or begin something new during the Vijay Muhurat, book leave early.
• Weekend celebrations: Most garba nights, Durga Pujas, Bathukamma programmes and Dussehra festivals are held on the weekends of 10–11, 17–18 and 24–25 October.

The biggest Dussehra and Navratri 2026 events in the UK (confirmed dates)

These celebrations have announced 2026 dates. Temple programmes are usually free, while garba nights with touring artists are ticketed.

† Listed on Eventbrite or AllEvents. Confirm with the organiser before you go.

Annual celebrations to watch (2026 details still coming)

• Sansaar's Navratri Kids Garba: Sansaar has announced a 2026 London Navratri event at JFS, with its character-led kids' garba and a new garba masterclass for older children. Its London and Leicester garbas have sold more than 2,500 tickets in past years.
• Temple programmes: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Wembley and temples across the country hold Navratri aarti and Vijayadashami pujas.
• Nepali Dashain: Nepali communities, including the large Gurkha community around Aldershot and Farnborough, gather for Dashain tika on Bijaya Dashami.
• University societies: Hindu and Indian student societies across the UK host garba nights during Navratri.

Dussehra 2026 region by region: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

England is grouped into its nine regions, followed by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each entry covers the temples and communities that anchor Navratri and Dussehra, confirmed 2026 events and local Vijay Muhurat timings. For temple addresses and hours, use the HinduTone temple directory or the temple's own website.

Jump to a region or nation:

• England: London, South East, East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, North East, South West
• Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

England: Dussehra 2026 region by region

London and Leicester have the country's busiest Navratri calendars, with strong communities across the Midlands and the North.

London

London's Navratri and Dussehra season runs from Durga Puja halls in Wanstead and Harrow to Bathukamma in Heston and garba across the suburbs. The Vijay Muhurat in London is 2:29 to 3:10pm, within Aparahna from 1:47 to 3:52pm, and sunset is at 5:57pm.

North-west London: Harrow, Brent and Barnet

• Temples: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden and Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Wembley hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programmes.
• Durga Puja: West London Durga Puja moves to a new venue in 2026, the Sindhi Centre on Kenton Road in Harrow. Shashthi is on Saturday 17 October (12 to 5pm), Saptami, Ashtami and Navami run from Sunday 18 to Tuesday 20 October (11am to 9pm), and Dashami is on Wednesday 21 October (11am to 2:30pm).
• Garba: Harrow and Wembley's Gujarati communities host some of London's largest garba nights, and Sansaar's family garba is at JFS in Kenton.
• Shopping: Ealing Road in Wembley is the go-to street for chaniya cholis, dandiya sticks and puja items.

West London: Ealing, Southall and Hounslow

• Bathukamma: The Telangana Association of UK's London Bathukamma and Dasara celebration is on Saturday 17 October from 1pm at Lampton School in Heston, with free entry.
• Garba: A Navratri Gala with garba and dandiya raas is listed for Saturday 17 October at Kingsley Academy in Hounslow.
• Shopping: Southall Broadway is west London's classic stop for festive clothes and sweets.

East London: Redbridge, Newham and Havering

• Durga Puja: The Bengali Cultural & Social Club's London Durga Puja runs from Friday 16 to Tuesday 20 October at Swaminarayan Sports World on Blake Hall Road, Wanstead.
• Mahalaya: The Sanaton Association marks Mahalaya on Saturday 10 October at Hornchurch North Street Halls.
• Tamil traditions: London Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in East Ham and other Tamil temples hold Navaratri programmes, and many families set up Golu at home.
• Shopping: Green Street in Upton Park is east London's festival-shopping hub.

South London

Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon and temples in Croydon and Tooting hold Navaratri and Vijayadashami programmes for south London's Tamil and Gujarati families.

South East

• Slough: Britain Ka Garba Dandiya is listed for Friday 16 October at Slough & Langley College. The Vijay Muhurat in Slough is 2:31 to 3:13pm.
• Surrey: Prayash UK's Durga Pujo is listed for Friday 16 October at Chertsey Hall.
• Aldershot and Farnborough: The area's large Nepali community, with many Gurkha families, celebrates Dashain, with tika from elders on Bijaya Dashami.
• Across the region: Reading, Crawley, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Southampton celebrate through temples, community associations and university societies. The Vijay Muhurat in Reading is 2:32 to 3:14pm.

East of England

• Bhaktivedanta Manor: ISKCON's temple near Watford holds its Dussehra festival on Sunday 25 October, celebrating Lord Ramachandra's victory over Ravana. Entry is free, but you need a timed ticket.
• Potters Bar: The Sanatan Association (North London & Herts) holds its Durga Puja on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.
• Across the region: Luton, Peterborough, Cambridge and Ipswich communities celebrate through temples and associations.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Watford is 2:30 to 3:11pm.

East Midlands

Leicester

Leicester is one of Britain's great Navratri cities, centred on the Belgrave Road "Golden Mile" and its surrounding halls.

• Garba: Rajendra Pala and his group from Mumbai bring their UK Navratri Tour to The Jungle Club on Checketts Road from 10 to 24 October, and 4 Seasons Navratri opens at The Platinum Suite on Saturday 10 October.
• After Navratri: Kirtidan Gadhvi plays a post-Navratri garba night at the Ramgarhia Community Centre on Friday 23 October.
• Temples: Leicester's mandirs hold Navratri aarti and Vijayadashami pujas throughout the festival.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Leicester is 2:32 to 3:14pm, within Aparahna from 1:51 to 3:55pm.

Nottingham and Derby

Nottingham and Derby communities, including Derby's Geeta Bhawan temple, celebrate with Navratri aarti and garba. The Vijay Muhurat in Nottingham is 2:32 to 3:13pm.

West Midlands

• Birmingham: Temples and associations across the city host Navratri garba, Durga Pujas and Dussehra programmes, and Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple in Tividale holds South Indian festival rituals. The Vijay Muhurat in Birmingham is 2:35 to 3:17pm.
• Wolverhampton: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:36 to 3:17pm, and local mandirs mark Navratri and Dussehra.
• Coventry: Community groups host garba and temple programmes. The Vijay Muhurat in Coventry is 2:34 to 3:15pm.

North West

• Manchester: Temples and associations across Greater Manchester hold Navratri and Dussehra programmes. The Vijay Muhurat in Manchester is 2:36 to 3:17pm.
• Preston and Bolton: Both towns have large Gujarati communities that host busy garba nights.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Preston is 2:38 to 3:19pm.

Yorkshire and the Humber

Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Hull celebrate through temples, community associations and university societies. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:33 to 3:14pm in Leeds and 2:34 to 3:15pm in Bradford.

North East

Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough communities mark Navratri and Dussehra with temple gatherings and student garba nights. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:33 to 3:13pm in Newcastle and 2:32 to 3:13pm in Gateshead (Felling).

South West

Bristol, Swindon, Gloucester, Exeter and Plymouth communities celebrate through temples, associations and university societies. The Vijay Muhurat in Bristol is 2:39 to 3:21pm.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Dussehra 2026 across the nations

Smaller but active communities in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast celebrate with temple programmes, community garba and student events.

Scotland

• Where families gather: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee celebrate through temples, Indian associations and university societies.
• Fireworks: Scotland's rules are stricter than England's. The public can use fireworks only between 6pm and 11pm on most nights, and councils can designate firework control zones.
• School holidays: October break dates vary by council, so check whether Dussehra falls in your holiday.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:43 to 3:23pm in Glasgow and 2:38 to 3:19pm in Edinburgh.

Wales

Cardiff, Swansea and Newport communities mark Navratri and Dussehra with temple programmes and community garba. The Vijay Muhurat in Cardiff is 2:41 to 3:23pm.

Northern Ireland

Belfast's community, including families who gather at the city's Indian Community Centre, celebrates with aarti, garba and shared meals. Anyone who wants to buy, possess or use fireworks in Northern Ireland, other than indoor fireworks and sparklers, needs a fireworks licence. The Vijay Muhurat in Belfast is 2:50 to 3:31pm, the latest of any major UK city.

How to find Dussehra and Navratri 2026 events near you

• Start with your temple. Most mandirs publish Navratri, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami timetables by early October. Search the HinduTone temple directory to find one near you.
• Check community associations. Gujarati samajs run garba nights, Bengali associations organise Durga Pujas, the Telangana Association of UK hosts Bathukamma, and Tamil and Kannada groups hold Golu and Saraswati Puja programmes.
• Buy tickets carefully. Eventbrite, AllEvents and organisers' social media list many garba nights. Check the organiser's name, venue and refund policy before you pay.
• Book temple festivals early. Some large festivals, including Bhaktivedanta Manor's, need a free timed ticket.
• Follow university societies. Hindu and Indian student societies host some of the liveliest garba nights.

Your Navratri and Dussehra 2026 planner for the UK

For the prayers, see our collection of pooja slokas and mantras, and for prasad and fasting dishes, browse our festival recipes.

How different communities celebrate Navratri and Dussehra in the UK

• Gujarati families, many of whom came to Britain via East Africa, dance garba and dandiya raas through the nine nights, especially in Leicester, Harrow, Wembley, Preston and Bolton.
• Punjabi Hindu and North Indian families perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami and mark Dussehra with Ramayana programmes and, where organised, Ravana effigies.
• Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja with pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja and dhunuchi naach, then close with Sindoor Khela and Bijoya greetings.
• Telugu families celebrate Bathukamma with flower towers and circle songs, and on Dasara they exchange Jammi (Shami) leaves and Alai Balai embraces.
• Tamil families, many with roots in Sri Lanka, arrange Golu and mark Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja toward the end of Navaratri.
• Malayali families mark Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami, when young children write their first letters.
• Kannada and Marathi families host Dasara programmes, and Marathi families exchange apta leaves as "sona," or gold.
• Nepali families celebrate Dashain, receiving tika and jamara from elders on Bijaya Dashami.
• ISKCON devotees celebrate Lord Rama's victory at festivals such as Bhaktivedanta Manor's.

Fireworks, Ravan Dahan and festival safety

• Know the curfew. In England and Wales, fireworks can't be used between 11pm and 7am, and the extended 1am Diwali curfew doesn't cover Dussehra.
• Stay off the street. Fireworks can't be set off in the street or other public places unless it's an organised display.
• Leave effigy burning to organised events. Organisers work with venues and local authorities on Ravana effigies and pyrotechnics.
• Check the rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Scotland limits public use to 6pm–11pm on most nights, and Northern Ireland requires a licence for most fireworks.
• Dress for October. Evenings are chilly and often wet, so bring layers to outdoor programmes.
• Pace yourself at garba. Drink water, wear comfortable footwear and take breaks during long nights.
• Use LED lamps near Golu displays. Keep open flames away from fabric, paper and dolls.

Wherever you celebrate, from a garba hall on Leicester's Golden Mile to a Golu display in Glasgow, may Vijayadashami bring victory, courage and new beginnings to your family. Happy Dussehra!

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in the UK?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 across the UK, the same date as in India. It follows Sharad Navratri, which runs from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2026 in London?

On Tuesday 20 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat in London is 2:29 to 3:10pm BST, within the Aparahna puja time of 1:47 to 3:52pm. The Dashami tithi runs from 8:20am on 20 October to 9:41am on 21 October.

What is the Dussehra 2026 muhurat in Leicester and Birmingham?

On 20 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:32 to 3:14pm in Leicester and 2:35 to 3:17pm in Birmingham, both in British Summer Time.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast?

On 20 October 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:36 to 3:17pm in Manchester, 2:43 to 3:23pm in Glasgow and 2:50 to 3:31pm in Belfast, in British Summer Time.

Can I use India's Dussehra muhurat in the UK?

No. India's Vijay Muhurat (1:59 to 2:45pm IST) converts to 9:29 to 10:15am in the UK, but the muhurat depends on local sunrise and sunset. In the UK it falls in the afternoon, such as 2:29 to 3:10pm in London.

When is Navratri 2026 in the UK?

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October and ends with Maha Navami on Monday 19 October. Durga Ashtami falls on Sunday 18 October, and Dussehra follows on Tuesday 20 October.

When is Durga Puja 2026 in London?

Drik Panchang's UK Durga Puja calendar runs from Shashthi on Friday 16 October to Durga Visarjan and Sindoor Utsav on Wednesday 21 October. The Bengali Cultural & Social Club's puja in Wanstead runs 16–20 October, and West London Durga Puja in Harrow runs 17–21 October.

Is Dussehra a bank holiday in the UK?

No. Dussehra is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, so speak to your school or employer in advance if you want time off for the Vijayadashami puja.

Can I set off fireworks on Dussehra in the UK?

In England and Wales, adults can use consumer fireworks until 11pm on Dussehra, because the later 1am curfew applies only to Diwali, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year. Scotland limits public use to 6pm–11pm on most nights, and Northern Ireland requires a fireworks licence for most fireworks.

Where can I celebrate Dussehra in the UK in 2026?

Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford holds its Dussehra festival on Sunday 25 October, with free timed tickets. Temples across the UK hold Vijayadashami pujas on 20 October, Leicester hosts garba nights through Navratri, and London has several Durga Pujas between 16 and 21 October.

When is Bathukamma 2026 in London?

The Telangana Association of UK holds its London Bathukamma and Dasara celebration on Saturday 17 October 2026 at Lampton School in Heston, with free entry. Saddula Bathukamma itself falls on Durgashtami, Sunday 18 October.

Related reading on HinduTone

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the USA: state-by-state guide
• Dussehra 2026 in Canada: province-by-province guide
• Hindu temple directory
• Today's panchangam
• Pooja slokas and mantras

Sources and verification

• Muhurat and calendar: Drik Panchang's Vijayadashami timings for London, Watford, Wolverhampton and Felling; its 2026 London Hindu calendar; its Durga Puja calendars for London and Camden Town; 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 UK windows.
• Events: Bhaktivedanta Manor, West London Durga Puja, Sanatan Association, Sansaar, Eventbrite London, Eventbrite Leicester, Eventbrite Midlands and South East listings and AllEvents London.
• Fireworks law: House of Commons Library briefing and the Metropolitan Police.
• Population: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021.
• Last verified: 16 September 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with organisers before attending.