Dasara 2026 in Andhra Pradesh: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Kanaka Durga Alankarams, Bommala Koluvu and Jammi Puja

Quick answer: Dasara (Dussehra, Vijayadashami) 2026 in Andhra Pradesh is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Vijay Muhurat: Vijayawada 1:49 to 2:36 PM, Visakhapatnam 1:38 to 2:25 PM and Tirupati 1:54 to 2:42 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method). Devi Navaratrulu begin on Sunday 11 October, and Durgashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October 2026.

District by district: for 2026 events, arrangements and traditions in every district, see our district-wise Dussehra 2026 guide.

In Andhra Pradesh, Dasara is above all a festival of the Goddess. For the nine nights of Devi Navaratrulu, devotees climb Indrakeeladri hill in Vijayawada to see Kanaka Durga in a new alankaram each day, homes fill with the steps of Bommala Koluvu, and on Vijayadashami families worship their tools and vehicles, gather at the Jammi tree and exchange its leaves as gold. This guide gives the 2026 dates, a Vijay Muhurat table for three cities, the customs that make Dasara in Andhra special and ideas for Telugu families living abroad.

Dasara 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Durgashtami and Maha Navami share a single day, Monday 19 October, in 2026; Drik Panchang lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October, when Navami prevails at sunrise, though some families perform it on Mon 19 October — follow your family/temple tradition. The Dashami tithi begins shortly after midday on 20 October and covers the afternoon, which is why Vijayadashami is observed on Tuesday 20 October. Temples may follow their own almanac for individual rituals, so check their announcements.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Andhra Pradesh cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon. It is the traditional time for Jammi (Shami) puja, Aparajita puja, starting new work, buying a vehicle or setting out on a journey. Timings for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

Visakhapatnam, on the northern coast, has the earliest window and Tirupati, in the south, the latest. All three windows fall after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST. For other towns such as Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool, Kakinada or Rajahmundry, check a panchang set for that town.

Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri: the Dasara alankarams

The Kanaka Durga temple at Vijayawada stands on Indrakeeladri hill above the Krishna river and is the heart of Dasara in Andhra Pradesh. Legend links the hill with the Goddess's victory over the demon Mahishasura, and with Arjuna, who is said to have performed penance here to win the Pashupatastra from Shiva.

The temple's Dasara festival is famous for its alankarams. Each day of Navratri the goddess is adorned and worshipped as a different form of the Divine Mother. Forms commonly associated with the festival include Bala Tripura Sundari, Annapurna, Saraswati, Mahishasura Mardini and Raja Rajeswari. The exact list and order are fixed by the temple each year according to the tithis and nakshatras, so check the temple's official announcement for 2026.

Devotees from across the Telugu states visit during these days, and the hill sees very heavy crowds, especially on the days most associated with Saraswati and Mahishasura Mardini and on Vijayadashami. Many devotees observe the festival as a deeksha, wearing red and keeping vows. The festival traditionally closes with a float festival of the deity on the Krishna river around Vijayadashami, subject to arrangements announced by the temple and authorities. Check the temple's official website for current darshan timings, queue arrangements and festival schedules.

Bommala Koluvu: the doll court

Bommala Koluvu, literally the court of dolls, is one of the most charming Navratri traditions in Andhra homes. Families set up a stepped platform, usually with an odd number of steps, and arrange dolls of gods and goddesses, the Dashavatara, scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, saints, wedding processions, villages and everyday life. A kalasam representing the Goddess is often placed at the centre.

Each evening the women of the house light lamps, offer naivedyam such as sundal or other prasadam, and invite neighbours and friends to see the display. Guests, especially married women and girls, are given tambulam with turmeric, kumkum, betel leaves and a small gift, and children are encouraged to sing or recite a shloka. Many families keep dolls passed down over generations and add a new one every year. After Vijayadashami, one doll is symbolically laid to rest and the display is packed away until the next year.

Dasara day customs in Andhra Pradesh

Ayudha Puja

Ayudha Puja honours the tools of one's livelihood. Vehicles are washed and decorated with turmeric, kumkum, flowers and banana stems, shops and workshops are cleaned, and account books, machines, laptops and musical instruments are worshipped. Drik Panchang lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October 2026, the same day as Vijayadashami; some Andhra families perform it on Maha Navami, Monday 19 October, together with Durgashtami — follow your family/temple tradition. Students often place their books before the Goddess as Saraswati and take them back after the puja.

Jammi puja and bangaram

On Vijayadashami afternoon, families and whole villages gather at the Jammi (Shami) tree. The tree is remembered as the place where the Pandavas hid their weapons during their year of living in disguise, recovering them on Vijayadashami, and Rama is also said to have worshipped the Shami before setting out for Lanka. People offer turmeric, kumkum and flowers, recite the Shami shloka, which begins "Shami shamayate papam, Shami shatru vinashini" (Shami removes sin, Shami destroys enemies), and write prayers or names on slips of paper placed in the tree. The leaves are then exchanged as bangaram (gold), and younger people touch the feet of elders for their blessings. Many families time the Jammi puja to fall in the Vijay Muhurat.

New beginnings and the festive meal

Vijayadashami is one of the most auspicious days of the year for new beginnings. Many parents choose it for Aksharabhyasam, a child's first writing of letters, and families buy vehicles, gold or household items. The day ends with a festive meal and visits to relatives.

Other temples to visit during Navratri

• Srisailam: the hill shrine of Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba in the Nallamala forest, revered both as a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, holds its own Dasara observances. See our Srisailam temple guide.
• Tirumala and Tirupati: the Tirumala Venkateswara temple draws huge crowds through the year. If you plan a visit around Dasara, check the official TTD announcements for that period's festivals and arrangements.

Temples see very heavy crowds during Navratri and Dasara, so check each temple's official website for current timings and arrangements.

For Telugu families abroad

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Vijayawada's Vijay Muhurat into your local time zone.
• A Bommala Koluvu can be as small as three steps on a bookshelf. Invite friends' children and give them a small tambulam bag.
• If there is no Jammi tree nearby, worship a potted Shami plant or a picture, and still exchange leaves or small tokens as bangaram.
• Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a working day in most countries. Many Telugu associations and temples hold Dasara events on the nearest weekend, so check their announcements.

For Canada-specific plans, see Bathukamma and Dasara 2026 in Canada. For the meaning of Dussehra and a full puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

On Dasara, Hindus across Andhra Pradesh climb Indrakeeladri, light lamps before the Bommala Koluvu and gather at the Jammi tree to celebrate the victory of dharma and of light over darkness. As commonly told, Maa Durga vanquished Mahishasura and Lord Rama defeated Ravana on this blessed day. Sharing a blessing is a small way of carrying that victory into every home. Pick a message below and send it to your family, your elders and your friends with love.

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 Dasara to our dear family! 🪔 May Kanaka Durga Amma bless our home with harmony, good health and the courage to always choose what is right. Share on WhatsApp

Dear Amma and Nanna, Dasara love from all of us here in Andhra Pradesh 🙏 Accept these Jammi leaves as our bangaram, and bless us as you always have. Share on WhatsApp

Happy Vijayadashami, my friend! 🌼 May this Dasara bring you fresh beginnings, bright ideas and a heart as light as a festival lamp. Here's to a year of victories! Share on WhatsApp

Warm Dasara wishes to you and your family. May this auspicious day bless our work with focus, steady effort and success that is shared by all. 🙏 Share on WhatsApp

From Indrakeeladri to every home in Andhra, Jai Durga Maa! 🔱 May the Mother who conquered Mahishasura give you fearless strength to overcome every obstacle. Share on WhatsApp

🏹 As Lord Rama triumphed over Ravana, may truth and compassion triumph in your life. Wishing you a blessed Vijayadashami filled with peace and quiet joy. Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Kanaka Durga, Mother of the world, and Lord Rama, protector of dharma, I bow to you on this Vijayadashami. Give me the strength to face my struggles with patience, the courage to stand for what is right and the wisdom to act with kindness. Keep my family free from negativity, fear and quarrels, and let your light fill our home. With folded hands, I seek only your grace.

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

Also read: Srivari Navaratri Brahmotsavam 2026 (12-20 Oct) and Garuda Seva on 16 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dasara 2026 in Andhra Pradesh?

Dasara (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Andhra Pradesh is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Devi Navaratrulu begin on Sunday 11 October, and Durgashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Vijayawada on Dasara 2026?

In Vijayawada the Vijay Muhurat is 1:49 to 2:36 PM on 20 October, local time by the Drik Panchang method. Visakhapatnam is 1:38 to 2:25 PM and Tirupati 1:54 to 2:42 PM; for other towns, check your local panchang.

When is Ayudha Puja 2026 in Andhra Pradesh?

Drik Panchang lists Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October 2026, the same day as Vijayadashami, and many families worship their tools, vehicles and books that morning. Some Andhra families perform it on Maha Navami, Monday 19 October, together with Durgashtami — follow your family/temple tradition.

What are the Kanaka Durga Dasara alankarams?

Each day of Navratri, Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada is adorned as a different form, such as Bala Tripura Sundari, Annapurna, Saraswati, Mahishasura Mardini and Raja Rajeswari. The temple fixes the 2026 order, so check its official announcement.

What is Bommala Koluvu?

Bommala Koluvu, the court of dolls, is a stepped display of dolls of gods, the Dashavatara, epic scenes and everyday life set up at home for Navratri. Each evening lamps are lit, prasadam is offered and guests receive tambulam.

Why are Jammi leaves exchanged on Dasara?

As commonly told, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Jammi (Shami) tree and recovered them on Vijayadashami. Families worship the tree in the afternoon and exchange its leaves as bangaram (gold) while seeking the blessings of elders.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. Dates are from Drik Panchang for India, and the Vijay Muhurat timings are calculated by the Drik Panchang method for each city. We have not listed the 2026 alankaram schedule, float festival timings, darshan arrangements or holiday dates because these are announced each year by the temple, the authorities and the state government; please check official sources. Customs vary between regions and families. Temple timings change, so check the temple's official website.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dasara 2026 in Telangana
• Dussehra 2026 in Tamil Nadu
• Dussehra 2026 in Karnataka
• Kanaka Durga temple, Vijayawada
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRI families