Dussehra 2026 UK: Date and Vijay Muhurat by Region

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October throughout the UK. The Vijay Muhurat is an afternoon window in local time (BST): 2:29–3:10 PM in London, 2:32–3:13 PM in Leicester, 2:35–3:16 PM in Birmingham, 2:36–3:17 PM in Manchester and 2:42–3:23 PM in Glasgow. All 12 regions and nations are in the table below. India's muhurat converted to UK time is not valid here — use your own city's window.

Dussehra 2026 dates in the UK at a glance

These dates follow Drik Panchang for the UK.

Observance	Date (UK)
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya)	Sat 10 Oct
Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)	Sun 11 Oct
Saddula Bathukamma (Telangana calendar)	Sun 18 Oct
Durga Ashtami	Sun 18 Oct
Maha Navami (Ayudha Puja for some; Drik India: Tue 20 Oct)	Mon 19 Oct
Vijayadashami / Dussehra	Tue 20 Oct
Sharad Purnima	Sun 25 Oct
Karwa Chauth	Thu 29 Oct
Diwali	Sun 8 Nov

Durga Ashtami is on Sunday 18 October in the UK, a day earlier than India's Monday 19 October. Ashtami begins at 8:27am IST on 18 October — before dawn in Britain — so the tithi is already running at UK sunrise on the 18th. For the nine nights in detail, see Sharad Navratri to Dussehra 2026, and for the meaning and rituals of the day, the Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 guide.

Dussehra 2026 city guides — UK

Detailed pages for each city: local date, Vijay Muhurat, Dashami timings, temples and home puja.

A UK planner for the festival fortnight

Because Vijayadashami is midweek, most British families split the festival between weekday home rituals and weekend community events. A practical plan:

When	What to plan
Sat 10 Oct	Sarva Pitru Amavasya: tarpan for ancestors; Leicester garba season opens
Sun 11 Oct	Navratri begins: Ghatasthapana (kalash) at home in the morning
Mon 12–Fri 16 Oct	Evening aarti at home; weekday garba at local temples
Sat 17 Oct	TAUK Bathukamma and Dasara, Hounslow; weekend garba nights
Sun 18 Oct	Durga Ashtami (UK) and Saddula Bathukamma; kanya puja
Mon 19 Oct	Maha Navami: Ayudha and Saraswati Puja for some families (Drik India: Tue 20 Oct); place books and tools on the altar
Tue 20 Oct	Vijayadashami: puja in your local Vijay Muhurat; Shami exchange
Sun 25 Oct	Bhaktivedanta Manor Dussehra festival; Sharad Purnima

Bengali families should note that in Kolkata the Durga Puja runs from Maha Shashthi on 17 October to Sindoor Khela on 21 October; UK committees often fit their programme around the 17–18 October weekend, so check yours.

Vijay Muhurat 2026, region by region

All times are local (British Summer Time) on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat is the eleventh of the fifteen daytime muhurtas, so it follows each city's sunrise and sunset, shown for reference. Values were calculated with the sunrise-to-sunset method and match Drik Panchang to within a minute; London is Drik's own published window.

Region / nation	Reference city	Sunrise	Sunset	Vijay Muhurat (BST)	Date
London	London	7:32 AM	5:57 PM	2:29–3:10 PM	Tue 20 Oct
South East	Reading	7:35 AM	6:00 PM	2:32–3:14 PM	Tue 20 Oct
East of England	Luton	7:34 AM	5:57 PM	2:30–3:11 PM	Tue 20 Oct
South West	Bristol	7:42 AM	6:07 PM	2:38–3:20 PM	Tue 20 Oct
West Midlands	Birmingham	7:41 AM	6:02 PM	2:35–3:16 PM	Tue 20 Oct
East Midlands	Leicester	7:38 AM	5:59 PM	2:32–3:13 PM	Tue 20 Oct
Yorkshire and the Humber	Leeds	7:42 AM	5:58 PM	2:33–3:14 PM	Tue 20 Oct
North West	Manchester	7:44 AM	6:02 PM	2:36–3:17 PM	Tue 20 Oct
North East	Newcastle	7:44 AM	5:56 PM	2:32–3:13 PM	Tue 20 Oct
Wales	Cardiff	7:44 AM	6:09 PM	2:41–3:23 PM	Tue 20 Oct
Scotland	Glasgow	7:57 AM	6:05 PM	2:42–3:23 PM	Tue 20 Oct
Scotland	Edinburgh	7:53 AM	6:00 PM	2:38–3:18 PM	Tue 20 Oct
Northern Ireland	Belfast	8:01 AM	6:14 PM	2:50–3:31 PM	Tue 20 Oct

Across Great Britain the window barely moves: London and Luton begin around 2:30 PM, and the furthest west and north (Cardiff, Glasgow) about twelve minutes later. Belfast is the latest at 2:50–3:31 PM. If your town is not listed, use the nearest city; you will be within a few minutes.

Region-by-region notes

London: Window 2:29–3:10 PM. The capital has the UK's largest concentration of Hindu temples, from BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden to small local mandirs across north-west, west and east London. TAUK's Bathukamma and Dasara is in Hounslow on Saturday 17 October (see events below).

South East: Window 2:32–3:14 PM (Reading). Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford, just outside London, holds its Dussehra festival on Sunday 25 October. Towns such as Slough, Crawley and Reading have active temple communities; check your local mandir for times.

East of England: Window 2:30–3:11 PM (Luton). Communities in Luton, Milton Keynes and Peterborough usually celebrate through their local temples and Gujarati or Punjabi associations.

South West: Window 2:38–3:20 PM (Bristol). Smaller communities often hold a shared Navratri and Dussehra event at a hired hall; a home puja is common on the Tuesday itself.

West Midlands: Window 2:35–3:16 PM (Birmingham). Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry have large, long-established Hindu communities with garba nights throughout Navratri.

East Midlands: Window 2:32–3:13 PM (Leicester). Leicester's garba season runs from Saturday 10 to Saturday 24 October and is the region's highlight.

Yorkshire and the Humber: Window 2:33–3:14 PM (Leeds). Temples in Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield usually publish their Navratri programmes in early October.

North West: Window 2:36–3:17 PM (Manchester). Manchester, Bolton and Preston have strong Gujarati communities and busy garba calendars.

North East: Window 2:32–3:13 PM (Newcastle). Expect a temple-centred celebration; check with your local Hindu association.

Wales: Window 2:41–3:23 PM (Cardiff). Cardiff and Swansea communities usually mark the day at their temples or a community hall.

Scotland: Windows 2:42–3:23 PM (Glasgow) and 2:38–3:18 PM (Edinburgh). Scotland has an active Telugu community, but the Scotland Bathukamma Community's 2026 venue and date had not been announced when we checked.

Northern Ireland: Window 2:50–3:31 PM (Belfast), the latest in the UK.

Confirmed Dussehra and Navratri events in the UK, October 2026

These are the UK events we have been able to confirm with organisers or reputable listings. For anything else, check your local temple or association.

Date	Event	Place
Sat 10–Sat 24 Oct	Leicester garba season	Leicester
Sat 17 Oct	TAUK Chenetha Bathukamma and Dasara, from 1pm, free	Lampton School, Hounslow, London
Sun 18 Oct	Saddula Bathukamma (Telangana calendar)	Worldwide
Sun 25 Oct	Dussehra festival, free with timed ticket	Bhaktivedanta Manor, near Watford

For more on Telangana community celebrations around the country, see our Bathukamma 2026 UK guide.

The caution every family should know

India's Vijay Muhurat on 20 October is 1:59–2:45 PM IST. Converted to UK time that is mid-morning, which is not the right window in Britain. The muhurat is calculated from your local sunrise and sunset, so it has to be your city's own afternoon window. If you see a morning Dussehra time "in UK time", it is India's window converted and should be ignored.

How to observe Dussehra at home

Prepare a clean altar with an image of Durga, Rama or your family deity, a diya and fresh flowers.
On Monday 19 October (Maha Navami) or Tuesday 20 October (the date Drik Panchang gives for Ayudha Puja in India), place books, laptops, tools, instruments or car keys before the deity for Ayudha or Saraswati Puja.
On Tuesday 20 October, within your city's Vijay Muhurat, offer flowers, kumkum and akshata and pray to Goddess Aparajita.
Offer and exchange Shami leaves if you can find them; otherwise flowers or rice are entirely acceptable.
Lift the books and tools after the puja. Vijayadashami is a traditional day for a child's Vidyarambham, writing the first letters in rice.
Finish with aarti and prasad. India is four and a half hours ahead, so call family there in your morning.

Practical tips for British Hindu families

Vijayadashami is a school and working day. The window falls between roughly 2:30 and 3:30 PM, so a late lunch break or an hour's leave is usually enough.
Schools in many areas accept a request for authorised absence for religious observance; ask in advance.
The big gatherings are on weekends — Hounslow on 17 October and Bhaktivedanta Manor on 25 October — so book timed tickets early.
UK clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, so times quoted for later festivals (Karwa Chauth, Diwali) will be in GMT.
If your family follows the Mysuru panchanga, India's Karnataka calendar marks Vijayadashami on Wednesday 21 October; UK panchangs give Tuesday 20 October. Follow your temple if it differs.

For the full season see the October 2026 Hindu festival calendar and our Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 guide. Families from Karnataka can follow the Mysore Dasara 2026 day-by-day guide.

Looking ahead: Karwa Chauth and Diwali

Sharad Purnima is on Sunday 25 October (Sharad Purnima 2026 guide) and Karwa Chauth on Thursday 29 October in the UK (Karwa Chauth 2026 moonrise times). Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Our Diwali 2026 UK guide covers London and Leicester celebrations.

Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of dharma and the triumph of light over darkness. As commonly told, Maa Durga defeated Mahishasura and Lord Rama overcame Ravana, showing that truth and courage prevail. For Hindus across the UK, from London to Leicester and Glasgow, this day is kept with a home puja, Shami leaves and prayers in the afternoon window. Sharing a blessing carries that light to loved ones. Send a heartfelt Dussehra wish to your family and elders 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.

🙏 Happy Vijayadashami to our whole family! May Maa Durga bless our home with peace, good health and togetherness, and may goodness win every day. Share on WhatsApp

Dear parents and elders in India, sending love and pranams from our home in the UK this Dussehra. May the Goddess keep you healthy, happy and at peace. 🌼 Share on WhatsApp

Happy Dussehra, my friend! May this Vijayadashami chase away every worry and bring you courage, joy and bright new beginnings. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

Wishing you and your family a blessed Vijayadashami. May this festival bring clarity to our work, warmth to our team and success earned honestly. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Maa Durga! 🌺 May the Divine Mother fill your heart with strength and fearlessness, and protect your family from every negativity this Dussehra. Share on WhatsApp

From London with love: may Lord Rama's light guide your family this Vijayadashami 🏹 May truth, patience and kindness always lead the way. Happy Dussehra! Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Durga, Divine Mother, and Lord Rama, guardian of dharma, I bow to you on this Vijayadashami. Wherever life has taken me, keep me close to you. Grant me strength to face my challenges, courage to do what is right, and wisdom to act with compassion. Cleanse my heart of anger and fear, and keep my family free from negativity. Bless our home with unity, faith and lasting peace.

Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in the UK?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October throughout the UK. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Maha Navami falls on Monday 19 October; in India, Drik Panchang lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October, though some families perform it on Maha Navami.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in London on Dussehra 2026?

The Vijay Muhurat is 2:29–3:10 PM BST in London. It is 2:32–3:13 PM in Leicester, 2:35–3:16 PM in Birmingham, 2:36–3:17 PM in Manchester, 2:42–3:23 PM in Glasgow and 2:50–3:31 PM in Belfast.

Why is Durga Ashtami on 18 October in the UK?

Ashtami begins at 8:27am IST on 18 October, before dawn in Britain, so the tithi is already running at UK sunrise. UK panchangs therefore list Durga Ashtami on Sunday 18 October, a day earlier than India.

Can I use India's Vijay Muhurat converted to UK time?

No. India's window converted to UK time falls mid-morning, which is not valid in Britain. The muhurat follows local sunrise and sunset, so use your own city's afternoon window.

Where can I celebrate Dussehra in the UK in 2026?

Confirmed events include the Leicester garba season from Saturday 10 to Saturday 24 October, the TAUK Bathukamma and Dasara at Lampton School, Hounslow on Saturday 17 October, and the Dussehra festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford on Sunday 25 October. Otherwise, check your local temple or association.

How can British Hindu families observe Dussehra on a working day?

The window falls roughly between 2:30 and 3:30 PM, so a late lunch break or an hour's leave is usually enough for a home puja. Many schools accept a request for authorised absence for religious observance if asked in advance.

Dussehra 2026 UK, Region by Region: Date and Vijay Muhurat for All 12 Regions and Nations