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

Quick answer: Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in every US state, the same date as in India. Sharad Navratri runs from Sunday, October 11 to Maha Navami on Monday, October 19. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:29–3:13 PM in New York, 2:24–3:07 PM in Chicago and 2:43–3:27 PM in the Bay Area. It falls in the afternoon, not at the pre-dawn times some websites show after converting India's clock. New Jersey's largest Dussehra festival, with Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan, is on Saturday, October 10 in Edison.

Dussehra 2026 in the USA is less a single day than a two-week season. Garba circles fill school gyms and banquet halls through Navratri, Bengali communities raise Durga Puja pandals, Telugu families stack flowers for Bathukamma, and Ram Leela ends with Ravan Dahan on weekend evenings. Vijayadashami itself falls on a Tuesday this year, so temples hold the puja on October 20 while many public celebrations move to nearby weekends.

This guide covers Dussehra across the country state by state, for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. You'll find the Navratri and Dussehra calendar for American time zones, Vijay Muhurat and Aparahna timings for major cities, confirmed 2026 events, and the temples and communities that anchor celebrations in each state. For the legends, rituals and meaning behind the festival, read our complete Dussehra 2026 guide.

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

Dussehra 2026 in the USA at a glance

• Main day: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Dashami), in all 50 states.
• Navratri: Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 19, with Ghatasthapana on October 11, Durga Ashtami on Sunday, October 18 and Maha Navami on Monday, October 19.
• The big weekend: Durga Ashtami and Saddula Bathukamma both fall on Sunday, October 18, so the weekend of October 17–18 is packed with Durga Puja and Bathukamma celebrations.
• A long weekend to start: Monday, October 12 is Columbus Day, a federal holiday also observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day in many places, giving some families a long weekend at the start of Navratri.
• Vijay Muhurat: An afternoon window, 2:29 to 3:13 PM in New York, that families use for Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and new beginnings.
• Holiday status: Dussehra is not a federal or state holiday in the United States.
• Ravan Dahan: Effigy burning is governed by local fire rules, so watch it at organized events such as Edison's Dushahra festival on October 10.
• Diwali comes next: Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) follows 19 days later, on Sunday, November 8.

Navratri and Dussehra 2026 dates in the USA

These dates follow Drik Panchang's 2026 calendar for New York and apply across the continental United States.

• Sandhi Puja, the 48-minute window where Ashtami meets Navami, runs from 12:57 to 1:45 AM Eastern Time on Monday, October 19. In other zones it begins on Sunday night, October 18: 11:57 PM to 12:45 AM Central, 10:57 to 11:45 PM Mountain and 9:57 to 10:45 PM Pacific.
• Bengali panjikas can differ by a day from these Drik Panchang dates, and most US Durga Pujas are held on the weekend of October 17–18.
• Bathukamma ends with Saddula Bathukamma on Durgashtami, Sunday, October 18. Telugu associations usually celebrate on the nearest weekend.

Is Dussehra 2026 on October 20 in every US time zone?

Yes. The Dashami tithi begins at 3:20 AM Eastern Time on October 20 and ends at 4:41 AM Eastern Time on October 21. Vijayadashami is observed on the day Dashami prevails during Aparahna, the afternoon period, and the afternoon of October 20 falls inside Dashami from Maine to Hawaii.

Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat in US 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 differ from city to city. Ravan Dahan events usually begin around or after sunset.

Don't convert India's times. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45 PM IST, which reads 4:29–5:15 AM on a New York clock and 3:29–4:15 AM in Central Time. Some websites print those converted times as a US muhurat. In the United States, the Vijay Muhurat falls in the afternoon.

• Central Time varies widely: Dallas and Chicago share a clock, but their Vijay Muhurat windows are about 40 minutes apart because the sun rises and sets later farther west.
• Nearby suburbs 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 USA?

No. Dussehra is not a federal or state holiday in the United States, and in 2026 it falls on a Tuesday. A few things to plan around:

• Religious accommodation: If you want to attend the Vijayadashami puja or begin something new during the Vijay Muhurat, ask your school or employer for time off well in advance.
• Weekend celebrations: Most Ram Leela, Durga Puja, Bathukamma and garba events are scheduled on weekends, including October 10 and October 17–18.
• Columbus Day: Monday, October 12 is a federal holiday, although many schools and businesses stay open.

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

These celebrations have announced 2026 dates. Temple programs are usually free; Durga Puja concerts and garba nights are often ticketed.

† Listed by third-party event sites. Confirm with the organizer or temple before you go.

Annual celebrations to watch (2026 details not yet announced)

• ISKCON of New Jersey, Towaco: A Vijayadashami celebration with Ravana Dahan; the 2024 edition was held on a Saturday evening.
• Austin Hindu Temple & Community Center: An annual Dussehra Mela with Ravan Dahan; the 2018 edition was its 16th.
• Radha Govind Dham, Dallas: Has marked Dussehra with Ravan Dahan, Ram aarti and bhajans.
• Bengali associations nationwide: Durga Puja weekends, most of them on October 17–18.
• Telugu associations nationwide: Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations around Saddula Bathukamma on October 18.
• Gujarati samajs and garba organizers: Garba and dandiya raas nights on the weekends of Navratri.

Dussehra 2026 state by state: all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

States are grouped by region. Each entry covers the temples and communities that anchor Navratri and Dussehra, any 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 state:

• Northeast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine
• Capital region: Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia
• South: Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas
• Midwest: Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
• Mountain West: Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
• West Coast and Pacific: California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii

Northeast: Dussehra 2026 in New York, New Jersey and New England

The Northeast has the country's densest Dussehra calendar, led by Central New Jersey's Ram Leela and Durga Puja weekends.

New York

• New York City: The Hindu Temple Society of North America's Ganesh Temple in Flushing, Queens, one of the oldest traditional Hindu temples in the United States, is a focal point for Navratri and Vijayadashami pujas. Richmond Hill's Indo-Caribbean mandirs also mark Navratri, and Jackson Heights is the place to shop for chaniya cholis and puja supplies.
• Durga Puja and garba: Bengali associations across the city and suburbs hold Durga Puja, mostly on October 17–18, and garba nights run on Navratri weekends.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:29 to 3:13 PM, within Aparahna from 1:46 to 3:57 PM. Sunset is at 6:08 PM.
• Upstate: Albany, Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse celebrate through temples, India associations and campus groups.

New Jersey

New Jersey has one of the busiest Dussehra calendars in the country.

• Dushahra 2026: The 28th annual festival, billed as New Jersey's largest Dussehra celebration, is on Saturday, October 10 at Lake Papaianni Park in Edison, with Ram Leela, Ravan Dahan, cultural programs and food stalls.
• Durga Puja: Trinayani USA's Durga Puja runs October 17–18 at Community Middle School in Plainsboro, with concerts by Chandrabindoo and Neeraj Shridhar of Bombay Vikings. UTSOV's Durga Puja is on the same weekend at the Jo Ann Magistro Performing Arts Center in East Brunswick, featuring Iman Chakraborty and Sourendro–Soumyojit.
• Temples: BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville and Sri Venkateswara Temple in Bridgewater hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs. ISKCON of New Jersey in Towaco has celebrated Vijayadashami with Ravana Dahan in past years.
• Shopping: Oak Tree Road in Edison and Iselin is the go-to strip for garba outfits, dandiya sticks and puja items.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:30 to 3:14 PM in Jersey City and 2:32 to 3:15 PM in Edison.

Pennsylvania

• Pittsburgh: Sri Venkateswara Temple in Penn Hills, among the first traditional Hindu temples built in the United States, and the Hindu-Jain Temple in Monroeville hold Navratri and Vijayadashami pujas.
• Philadelphia region: Temples and community groups across the suburbs host garba nights and Durga Pujas. The Vijay Muhurat in Philadelphia is 2:35 to 3:19 PM.
• Across the state: Harrisburg, the Lehigh Valley, State College and Erie celebrate through temples, India associations and Penn State student groups.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society in Middletown and other temples across the state hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs, while communities in Stamford, Hartford and New Haven host weekend garba nights and Durga Pujas.

Massachusetts

• Temple: Sri Lakshmi Temple in Ashland holds Navratri pujas for Greater Boston families.
• Community: Boston-area Bengali associations host Durga Pujas, and university South Asian student groups host garba nights.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Boston is 2:17 to 3:01 PM, the earliest of any major Eastern Time city because Boston sits so far east in the zone.

Rhode Island

Families in Providence, Warwick and Cranston celebrate with home pujas and community garba, and Sri Lakshmi Temple in Ashland, Massachusetts is about an hour's drive away.

New Hampshire

Communities in Nashua, Manchester and Concord host Navratri and Dussehra gatherings, and Boston-area temples are an easy day trip.

Vermont

Vermont's small community in Burlington and around the University of Vermont celebrates with home pujas, garba evenings and potlucks.

Maine

In Portland, Bangor and Orono, families mark Navratri and Dussehra with home pujas and University of Maine student events.

Capital region: Dussehra 2026 in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia

The capital region combines large suburban temples with some of the country's most active Durga Puja and Telugu associations.

Washington, D.C.

Most D.C. families attend Navratri and Vijayadashami pujas at temples in suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. The Vijay Muhurat in Washington is 2:43 to 3:27 PM, and sunset is at 6:23 PM.

Virginia

• Temples: Durga Temple in Fairfax Station, dedicated to the goddess worshipped through Navratri, is a natural focus for the festival. Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple in Fairfax and Rajdhani Mandir in Chantilly also hold Navratri and Dussehra programs.
• Richmond: The Hindu Center of Virginia in Glen Allen is the main gathering place.
• Northern Virginia: The large Indian American community in Ashburn, Chantilly and Herndon celebrates with garba nights and Durga Pujas.

Maryland

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple and the Murugan Temple of North America, both in Lanham, hold Navratri pujas, and many South Indian families set up Golu displays at home. Montgomery and Howard County communities host garba nights and Durga Pujas.

Delaware

The Hindu Temple Association of Delaware in Hockessin holds Navratri programs for families in Wilmington, Newark and Bear.

West Virginia

Communities in Morgantown, Charleston and Huntington celebrate through India associations and West Virginia University student groups. ISKCON temples, including the New Vrindaban community near Moundsville, typically mark Dussehra as Rama Vijayotsava.

South: Dussehra 2026 in Texas, Georgia, Florida and the Southeast

The South's biggest celebrations are in Texas and metro Atlanta, with busy temple calendars across the Carolinas and Tennessee.

Texas

Texas has some of the largest Navratri and Dussehra celebrations in the South.

• Houston: ISKCON of Houston lists Dussehra, celebrated as Shri Ramachandra Vijayotsava, on Tuesday, October 20. Communities in Sugar Land, Katy and Pearland host garba nights, Durga Pujas and Bathukamma celebrations.
• Dallas–Fort Worth: Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco, DFW Hindu Temple in Irving, Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas in Allen and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Irving hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs. Radha Govind Dham in Dallas has marked Dussehra with Ravan Dahan in past years.
• Austin: Austin Hindu Temple & Community Center has hosted an annual Dussehra Mela with Ravan Dahan.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 3:04 to 3:49 PM in Dallas and 2:59 to 3:45 PM in Houston.

Georgia

• Temples: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn and the Hindu Temple of Atlanta in Riverdale hold Navratri and Dussehra programs.
• Community: Metro Atlanta's suburbs, including Alpharetta, Cumming, Duluth and Johns Creek, host garba nights, Durga Pujas and Bathukamma celebrations.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Atlanta is 3:14 to 3:59 PM.

Florida

• Tampa Bay: The Hindu Temple of Florida in Tampa holds Navratri pujas. The Vijay Muhurat in Tampa is 3:08 to 3:54 PM.
• Across the state: Orlando, Jacksonville and South Florida communities host garba nights and Durga Pujas.

North Carolina

The Hindu Society of North Carolina in Morrisville, Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina in Cary and the Hindu Center of Charlotte hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs, and Triangle and Charlotte associations host garba nights and Bathukamma. The Vijay Muhurat in Raleigh is 2:50 to 3:35 PM.

South Carolina

Communities in Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia and Charleston celebrate with India association garba nights, and families in Fort Mill and Rock Hill often join Charlotte's temple programs.

Tennessee

Sri Ganesha Temple in Nashville holds Navratri pujas for families from Franklin, Brentwood and Murfreesboro, while Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga celebrate through temples and associations.

Alabama

The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Birmingham is a main gathering place for Navratri and Dussehra, and Huntsville and Montgomery communities celebrate through their own temples and associations.

Kentucky

The Hindu Temple of Kentucky in Louisville holds Navratri and Vijayadashami programs, and Lexington's community celebrates through temple and University of Kentucky events.

Mississippi

Families in Jackson, Oxford, Starkville and Hattiesburg celebrate with home pujas, community garba and university student events, and DeSoto County families can join programs in nearby Memphis.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman and Stillwater communities celebrate through local temples, India associations and university student groups.

Louisiana

Families in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport mark Navratri and Dussehra with temple gatherings and LSU and Tulane student events.

Arkansas

Families in Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville and Little Rock celebrate with temple pujas, community garba nights and University of Arkansas student events.

Midwest: Dussehra 2026 in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and the Heartland

Chicagoland leads the Midwest, with large temples in Detroit, Columbus, Minneapolis and St. Louis drawing families from across their regions.

Illinois

• Ravan Dahan: Shree Radhey Shyam Temple in the Chicago area is listed as holding a Vijayadashami celebration with Ravan Dahan on Tuesday, October 20, from 5:30 to 8 PM.
• Temples: The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett hold Navratri and Dussehra programs.
• Shopping: Devon Avenue on Chicago's North Side is the classic stop for festival clothes and puja items.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Chicago is 2:24 to 3:07 PM, and sunset is at 6:02 PM.

Michigan

Bharatiya Temple in Troy, Sri Venkateswara Temple and Cultural Center in Novi and Paschima Kasi Sri Viswanatha Temple in Flint hold Navratri pujas, and Metro Detroit communities host garba nights and Durga Pujas. The Vijay Muhurat in Detroit is 3:05 to 3:49 PM.

Ohio

Bharatiya Hindu Temple in Powell near Columbus, Shiva Vishnu Temple in Parma near Cleveland, the Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati and the Hindu Temple of Dayton hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs. The Vijay Muhurat in Columbus is 3:06 to 3:50 PM.

Indiana

The Hindu Temple of Central Indiana in Indianapolis holds Navratri programs for families in Carmel, Fishers and Zionsville, and Purdue and Indiana University student groups host garba nights.

Wisconsin

The Hindu Temple of Wisconsin in Pewaukee is the Milwaukee area's main gathering place, and Madison's community celebrates with University of Wisconsin student events.

Minnesota

The Hindu Temple of Minnesota in Maple Grove draws Twin Cities families for Navratri and Dussehra. Late-October evenings are cold, so most garba nights are indoors. The Vijay Muhurat in Minneapolis is 2:45 to 3:28 PM.

Iowa

Des Moines-area families celebrate at a Hindu temple and cultural center outside the city, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Ames have active community and campus events.

Missouri

The Hindu Temple of St. Louis in Ballwin holds Navratri and Dussehra programs, and Kansas City families join events across the metro.

Kansas

The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Kansas City in Shawnee serves families from Overland Park, Olathe and Lenexa.

Nebraska

Omaha and Lincoln communities celebrate with temple pujas, India association garba nights and University of Nebraska student events.

North Dakota

Families in Fargo, Grand Forks and Bismarck celebrate with home pujas and student gatherings at North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota.

South Dakota

Communities in Sioux Falls, Brookings and Rapid City mark Navratri and Dussehra with small gatherings and South Dakota State University student events.

Mountain West: Dussehra 2026 in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and neighboring states

The Mountain West's celebrations center on Phoenix, Denver and Salt Lake City, with smaller communities meeting at home and on campus.

Arizona

Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona in Maricopa and other Valley temples hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs. Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time, so Phoenix's Vijay Muhurat of 2:05 to 2:50 PM is on Mountain Standard Time.

Colorado

Temples in the Denver suburbs hold Navratri pujas, and communities in Aurora, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Fort Collins host garba nights. The Vijay Muhurat in Denver is 2:34 to 3:18 PM.

Utah

Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah in South Jordan holds Navratri and Dussehra programs, and ISKCON's Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork is another community hub. The Vijay Muhurat in Salt Lake City is 3:01 to 3:45 PM.

Nevada

Las Vegas, Henderson and Reno communities celebrate through local Hindu temples and India associations.

New Mexico

Families in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Los Alamos celebrate with temple and community pujas and University of New Mexico student events.

Idaho

Boise and Meridian communities mark Navratri and Dussehra with home pujas, community garba and Boise State student events.

Montana

Montana's small community in Bozeman, Missoula and Billings celebrates with home pujas and student gatherings at Montana State and the University of Montana.

Wyoming

Families in Cheyenne, Laramie and Casper celebrate at home and with University of Wyoming students, and Denver's temples are within a couple of hours' drive of Cheyenne.

West Coast and Pacific: Dussehra 2026 in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii

California's Bay Area and the Seattle Eastside anchor the West, and Alaska and Hawaii show how far the Dashami window stretches across US time zones.

California

• Bay Area: Touring-artist garba nights run from September 19 to October 3 in San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, and the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka is listed for Saturday, October 17 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore, Fremont Hindu Temple and Sunnyvale Hindu Temple hold Navratri and Vijayadashami programs.
• Southern California: Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia is the region's festival-shopping hub, and temples and associations across Los Angeles and Orange counties host garba nights and Durga Pujas.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat is 2:43 to 3:27 PM in San Jose and 2:29 to 3:14 PM in Los Angeles.

Washington

Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, Bothell and Kirkland have large Indian American communities, and Eastside temples and cultural centers hold Navratri pujas and garba nights. The Vijay Muhurat in Seattle is 2:40 to 3:22 PM.

Oregon

Portland-area families in Beaverton and Hillsboro celebrate at local temples and community garba nights. The Vijay Muhurat in Portland is 2:42 to 3:25 PM.

Alaska

Anchorage's small community celebrates with home pujas and gatherings. On Alaska time, Dashami begins at 11:20 PM on October 19, and the Vijay Muhurat in Anchorage is 3:20 to 3:58 PM on October 20.

Hawaii

On Oʻahu, families celebrate with home pujas and community gatherings, and on Kauaʻi, Kauai's Hindu Monastery welcomes visitors to Kadavul Temple; check visiting hours before you go. On Hawaii time, Dashami runs from 9:20 PM on October 19 to 10:41 PM on October 20, so Dussehra is still October 20, and the Vijay Muhurat in Honolulu is 2:12 to 2:58 PM.

How to find Dussehra and Navratri 2026 events near you

• Start with your temple. Most temples publish Navratri, Durga Puja and Vijayadashami schedules by early October. Search the HinduTone temple directory to find one near you.
• Check community associations. Gujarati samajs run garba nights, Bengali associations organize Durga Pujas, Telugu associations host Bathukamma and Dasara, and Tamil and Kannada sanghams hold Golu and Saraswati Puja programs.
• Buy tickets carefully. Eventbrite, Sulekha and similar platforms list many garba nights and concerts. Check the organizer's name, venue and refund policy before you pay.
• Ask about Ravan Dahan. Effigy burning depends on venue approvals and weather, so confirm the program before you travel.
• Follow campus groups. University Indian and South Asian student associations host some of the liveliest garba nights.

Your Navratri and Dussehra 2026 planner

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 Navratri and Dussehra in the USA

• North Indian families stage Ram Leela, burn effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad on Dussehra, and perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami.
• Gujarati families dance garba and dandiya raas through the nine nights, with aarti to Amba Mata.
• Bengali families celebrate Durga Puja with pushpanjali, Sandhi Puja and dhunuchi naach, then end with Sindoor Khela and Bijoya greetings on Dashami.
• Telugu families celebrate Bathukamma with flower towers and circle songs, and on Dasara they exchange Jammi (Shami) leaves and Alai Balai embraces.
• Tamil, Kannada and Telugu families arrange Golu (Bommai Kolu or Bommala Koluvu), with Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja toward the end of Navratri.
• Malayali families mark Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami, when young children write their first letters.
• Kannada associations host programs inspired by Mysuru Dasara.
• Marathi families observe Seemollanghan and exchange apta leaves as "sona," or gold.
• Nepali and Bhutanese-Nepali families celebrate Dashain, receiving tika and jamara from elders on Bijaya Dashami.
• ISKCON communities celebrate Lord Rama's victory as Rama Vijayotsava.

Ravan Dahan, garba and festival safety

• Leave effigy burning to organized events. Open burning is regulated in most US communities, and organizers coordinate with local authorities.
• Keep your distance. Stay behind barriers during Ravan Dahan and any fireworks, and keep children close.
• Pace yourself at garba. Drink water, wear comfortable footwear and take breaks, especially at late weeknight events.
• Use LED lamps near Golu displays. Keep open flames away from fabric, paper and dolls.
• Plan your ride home. Many garba nights run late, so arrange transport in advance.

Wherever you celebrate, from a Ram Leela ground in Edison to a Golu display in Seattle, may Vijayadashami bring victory, courage and new beginnings to your family. Happy Dussehra!

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in the USA?

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

What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2026 in New York and New Jersey?

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:29 to 3:13 PM in New York City and 2:30 to 3:14 PM in Jersey City. In Edison, it is 2:32 to 3:15 PM.

What is the Dussehra 2026 muhurat in Chicago, Dallas and Houston?

On October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:24 to 3:07 PM in Chicago, 3:04 to 3:49 PM in Dallas and 2:59 to 3:45 PM in Houston, all in Central Daylight Time.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in California and Seattle?

On October 20, 2026, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:43 to 3:27 PM in San Jose, 2:29 to 3:14 PM in Los Angeles and 2:40 to 3:22 PM in Seattle, all in Pacific Daylight Time.

Why do some websites show the Dussehra muhurat at 3 or 4 AM in the US?

Those times are India's Vijay Muhurat (1:59 to 2:45 PM IST) converted to US clocks. The muhurat depends on local sunrise and sunset, so in the United States it falls in the afternoon, such as 2:29 to 3:13 PM in New York.

When is Navratri 2026 in the USA?

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

When is Durga Puja 2026 in the USA?

Drik Panchang places Mahashtami on Sunday, October 18 and Maha Navami on Monday, October 19 in the US, and most American Durga Pujas are held on the weekend of October 17–18. In New Jersey, Trinayani USA and UTSOV both hold their Durga Pujas on October 17–18.

Is Dussehra a public holiday in the USA?

No. Dussehra is not a federal or state holiday in the United States. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday, so families who want time off for the Vijayadashami puja should ask their school or employer in advance.

Where is Ravan Dahan in the USA in 2026?

New Jersey's Dushahra festival in Edison holds Ram Leela and Ravan Dahan on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Temples such as Shree Radhey Shyam Temple in the Chicago area list Ravan Dahan on Dussehra itself, and ISKCON of New Jersey and Austin Hindu Temple have held Ravan Dahan in past years.

When is Bathukamma 2026 in the USA?

Saddula Bathukamma, the finale of the nine-day flower festival, falls on Durgashtami, Sunday, October 18, 2026 in the US. Telugu associations usually hold their Bathukamma celebrations on the nearest weekend.

How long after Dussehra is Diwali 2026?

Diwali 2026 (Lakshmi Puja) falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, 19 days after Dussehra. The five-day Diwali festival runs from Dhanteras on November 6 to Bhai Dooj on November 10.

Related reading on HinduTone

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

Sources and verification

• Muhurat and calendar: Drik Panchang's Vijayadashami timings for New York, Jersey City and Chicago; its 2026 Shardiya Navratri calendar, Mahashtami and Maha Navami pages for New York City; and ShubhDivas for India's Vijay Muhurat. Timings for other US cities were calculated by HinduTone with the same sunrise-to-sunset muhurta method and cross-checked against Drik Panchang's New York and Jersey City windows.
• Bathukamma: Wego, citing the Telangana state calendar.
• Events: Dushahra 2026, Trinayani USA, UTSOV, ISKCON of Houston, ISKCON of New Jersey, Sulekha Bay Area listings, Sulekha Austin listing, Radha Govind Dham Dallas, GarbaGroove and MyTicketsToIndia.
• Holiday status: timeanddate.com.
• Last verified: September 16, 2026. Event details can change, so confirm with organizers before attending.