Dussehra 2026 in Andaman and Nicobar: Date, Sri Vijaya Puram Vijay Muhurat, Durga Puja and Navaratri on the Islands

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Vijay Muhurat in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair): 1:02–1:49 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method). Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October 2026. By the Bengali calendar, Bijoya Dashami is on Wednesday 21 October.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a little India in the Bay of Bengal. Over the past century and more, people from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Punjab and many other regions have settled here, alongside the islands' indigenous communities. The result is a festive season in which several traditions sit side by side: Bengali Durga Puja, the Navaratri customs of South Indian families, and the North Indian Vijayadashami with Shastra puja and, in some places, the burning of Ravana. This page gives the 2026 dates, the Vijay Muhurat for the capital and an overview of how the festival is observed on the islands.

Navratri and Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. In 2026, Ashtami and Navami share a single day. Tamil, Telugu and Malayali families who keep Saraswati Puja, Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham may follow their own almanac or temple announcements, so where there is a difference, follow your family priest.

Durga Puja dates 2026 (Bengali calendar)

Durga Pujas on the islands commonly follow the Bengali panjika. Drik Panchang's Durga Puja calendar for Kolkata gives these dates for 2026:

By the Bengali calendar, Maha Navami falls on Tuesday 20 October, the same day as the all-India Vijayadashami, and Bijoya Dashami follows on Wednesday 21 October. Local committees decide their own schedules.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Sri Vijaya Puram

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon, traditionally used for Aparajita puja, Shami puja, Shastra puja and for beginning new work or journeys. Timing for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

The islands lie well east of India's standard meridian, so the window falls earlier by the clock than on most of the mainland, shortly after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST. On other islands, such as Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) or in North and Middle Andaman, the time will differ a little; check a panchang set for your location if you need the exact window.

How the islands celebrate

Durga Puja

People of Bengali origin form one of the largest communities in the Andamans, and Durga Puja is one of the most visible festivals of the year. Community pujas are commonly organised in Sri Vijaya Puram and in other settlements across the islands, with an image of the Goddess, daily rituals, bhog, cultural evenings and, on the last day, immersion and Sindoor Khela. Because pujas are run by local committees, their number, scale and arrangements change from year to year. We do not list specific pandals or organisers; ask locally once you arrive.

South Indian Navaratri

Tamil, Telugu and Malayali families bring their own customs. In Tamil households, Navaratri is often marked with a Golu display of dolls and visits from friends; Telugu families may keep the Devi Navaratri pujas of their home region; and Malayali families keep Pooja Veppu, Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham, when children are initiated into writing on Vijayadashami morning. Our guide to Navarathri 2026 in Tamil Nadu explains these customs in more detail.

Vijayadashami, Shastra puja and Ravan Dahan

Families from North India keep Shami and Aparajita puja and worship tools and vehicles on Vijayadashami, and the armed forces and other services stationed on the islands commonly mark the day with Shastra puja within their establishments. In some places, residents' groups may arrange a Ravan Dahan on Dussehra evening. Such events are local, and their scale and timing are announced each year.

What to do on Vijayadashami

• Aparajita and Shami puja: worship the goddess of victory in the afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Shastra and Ayudha puja: clean and worship tools, vehicles, boats, books and laptops. For island families who depend on the sea, blessing boats and fishing gear is a fitting custom.
• Vidyarambham: initiate young children into learning on Vijayadashami morning.
• Bijoya greetings: after the Bengali Bijoya Dashami, visit friends and elders with sweets.

For the meaning of Dussehra and a full puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Travel notes for October

• Weather: October is a transition month after the south-west monsoon, and showers and rough seas are still possible. Ferry schedules can change at short notice, so keep your plans flexible.
• Bookings: flights and ferries are busy in the festive season. Book early and confirm close to the date.
• Permits: Indian visitors do not need a permit for the main tourist areas, but tribal reserves and some islands are restricted. Rules for foreign nationals have changed in recent years. Check the Andaman and Nicobar administration's official website for current rules.
• Respect protected areas: never attempt to enter tribal reserves or photograph indigenous communities.

For families abroad, our Navratri 2026 guide for NRI families covers puja steps that work anywhere.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

On Vijayadashami we remember the victory of dharma over adharma, of light over darkness: as commonly told, Maa Durga triumphed over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana. For Hindus in Andaman and Nicobar, from Bengali Durga Puja to Tamil Golu and Malayali Vidyarambham, this is a day when many island traditions bow together to the same victory. Sharing a blessing keeps that light moving from home to home. Choose a message below and send it to your family 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.

Vijayadashami 2026 messages to share

Happy Vijayadashami to our whole family! 🪔 May the victory of good over evil fill our home with peace, unity and joy today and always. Share on WhatsApp

Dear Maa and Papa, on this Dussehra I bow to you with love. 🙏 May your blessings keep guiding us, and may the Divine keep you healthy and happy. Share on WhatsApp

Happy Dussehra, my friend! 🌼 May every Ravana of doubt and fear in your life burn away, and may your path be bright with courage and success. Share on WhatsApp

Warm Vijayadashami wishes from our home in Sri Vijaya Puram to yours. 🌊 May the islands' sea breeze carry blessings of strength and harmony to you and your family. Share on WhatsApp

May Maa Durga, who triumphed over Mahishasura, give you the strength to overcome every obstacle. 🔱 Jai Mata Di, and a blessed Vijayadashami to you and your loved ones! Share on WhatsApp

From the Andaman shores to your doorstep: may Lord Rama's righteousness guide your steps and fill your heart with truth and peace. 🏹 Happy Dussehra to you and your team! Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Durga, Lord Rama, on this Vijayadashami I come before you with folded hands. Give me the strength to face my struggles, the courage to choose what is right, and the wisdom to speak with kindness. Burn away the anger, pride and fear within me. Keep my family united and free of negativity, and let our home be a place of light, gratitude and devotion. Jai Mata Di, Jai Shri Ram.

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

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Andaman and Nicobar?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) on Dussehra 2026?

The Vijay Muhurat in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) is 1:02 to 1:49 PM IST on Tuesday 20 October 2026, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. On other islands such as Swaraj Dweep the time differs slightly, so check your local panchang.

When is Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela in the Andamans in 2026?

By the Bengali calendar, Bijoya Dashami with immersion and Sindoor Khela falls on Wednesday 21 October 2026, and Maha Navami is on Tuesday 20 October. Local puja committees set their own schedules.

Where is Durga Puja celebrated in Andaman and Nicobar?

Community Durga Pujas are commonly organised in Sri Vijaya Puram and in other settlements across the islands, with daily rituals, bhog, cultural evenings and Sindoor Khela. Committees change each year, so ask locally for pandal details.

How do South Indian families on the islands keep Navaratri?

Tamil families often set up a Golu of dolls, Telugu families keep the Devi Navaratri pujas of their home region, and Malayali families observe Pooja Veppu, Ayudha Puja and Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami morning.

What should visitors know about travelling to the Andamans for Dussehra?

October can still bring showers and rough seas, and ferry schedules may change at short notice. Book flights and ferries early, and check the administration's official website for current permit rules.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. Festival dates are from Drik Panchang for India, the Durga Puja dates are from Drik Panchang's calendar for Kolkata, and the Vijay Muhurat for Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) was calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Celebrations on the islands are organised by local committees, so we have deliberately not listed specific pandals, temples, events or organisers. Permit rules and ferry schedules are set by the administration and can change; check official sources before you travel.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in West Bengal
• Dussehra 2026 in Tamil Nadu
• Dussehra 2026 in Andhra Pradesh
• Dussehra 2026 in Kerala
• Dussehra 2026 in Lakshadweep
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar