Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Chicago is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat in Chicago is 2:23 PM – 3:07 PM local time (Central Daylight Time), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Ravan Dahan traditionally takes place after sunset on Dussehra evening.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): The Chicago timings on this page were calculated for Chicago's own sunrise and sunset, using the Dashami tithi from Drik Panchang (12:50 PM IST on 20 October to 2:11 PM IST on 21 October) shown in local time, and the Vijay Muhurat calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We do not list 2026 event schedules, because temples and community groups set and announce these themselves. Always check with your temple before you go.

Dussehra 2026 dates and timings for Chicago

ObservanceChicago (local time)
Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)Sunday 11 October 2026
Durga Ashtami and Maha NavamiMonday 19 October 2026
Dussehra / VijayadashamiTuesday 20 October 2026
Dashami tithi beginsTue 20 Oct, 2:20 AM
Dashami tithi endsWed 21 Oct, 3:41 AM
Vijay Muhurat (Drik Panchang method)2:23 PM – 3:07 PM
Aparahna (afternoon puja period)1:40 PM – 3:51 PM
Sunset (Ravan Dahan after this)6:01 PM

Chicago is still on daylight saving time on 20 October, so these times are in Central Daylight Time (UTC-5). Because the Dashami tithi is already under way before sunrise and runs through the entire afternoon, there is no ambiguity this year: Vijayadashami in Chicago is Tuesday 20 October, the same date as in India. The Vijay Muhurat sits comfortably inside the Aparahna, so Shami puja, Aparajita puja and Shastra puja can all be done in that window.

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Hindu temples in Chicago for Navratri & Dussehra

Chicagoland has one of the largest and oldest Hindu communities in the United States, and its temples are the natural focus for Navratri and Dussehra. The following temples and organisations are well established in the metro area:

  • Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago – Lemont. One of the oldest Hindu temples in the Midwest, with a Rama temple and a temple for Ganesha, Shiva and Durga.
  • Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple – Aurora. A large South Indian-style temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara in the far western suburbs.
  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Bartlett. A hand-carved marble and limestone mandir in the northwest suburbs.
  • Manav Seva Mandir – Bensenville. A Hindu temple and cultural centre serving the western suburbs near O'Hare.
  • Shirdi Sai Mandir (Shirdi Sai Baba Sanstha of Chicago) – Hampshire. A Sai Baba temple in the far northwest suburbs.
  • Bengali Association of Greater Chicago – Chicagoland. A long-running community organisation known for its annual Durga Puja.

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages. Timings, parking arrangements and any registration requirements change from year to year, so always confirm directly with the temple.

How Chicago celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Garba and dandiya

Chicago's large Gujarati community makes garba and dandiya raas the most visible part of Navratri in the metro area. Through the nine nights, and especially on the weekends, community groups and temples hire banquet halls, school gyms and convention spaces in the suburbs for evenings of circle dancing to live or recorded music. Expect colourful chaniya choli and kediyu, aarti to the Mother Goddess at the start, and dances that run late into the night.

Durga Puja

Chicago's Bengali community has celebrated Durga Puja for decades. Pujas usually feature a decorated image of Durga with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, anjali offerings, dhak drumming, cultural programmes and bhog. In India, Bengal-tradition Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, Kolkata), but diaspora Durga Pujas follow their committee, and many in Chicago are arranged around the nearest weekend.

Ramlila and Ravan Dahan

North Indian families in Chicagoland mark Dussehra with Ramayana recitations, children's Ramlila skits and, where organisers have permission, the burning of a Ravana effigy after sunset. Because outdoor effigy burning and fireworks need local approval, many US celebrations use smaller effigies or symbolic displays, and some hold the event on the weekend after Dussehra.

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Golu, Bathukamma and Ayudha Puja

Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayali families add their own traditions. Many Tamil and Kannadiga homes set up a Golu (Bombe Habba) display of dolls on stepped shelves and invite friends over during Navratri. Telugu families celebrate Bathukamma with flower stacks, songs and circle dances, often at community gatherings. On Navami and Vijayadashami, South Indian households perform Ayudha Puja, honouring tools, books, cars and laptops, and young children may begin their learning with Vidyarambham.

Dussehra puja at home in Chicago

Vijayadashami falls on a weekday, so many Chicago families do a short puja at home and join a temple programme at the weekend. A simple vidhi:

  • Shami puja: if you have a Shami plant (or a picture or leaves), offer water, kumkum, rice and flowers during the Vijay Muhurat, 2:23 PM – 3:07 PM. Exchanging Shami or Apta leaves as 'gold' with family and friends is a Maharashtrian and Karnataka custom.
  • Aparajita puja: draw a simple eight-petalled lotus with rice or kumkum, place a lamp in the centre and pray to Devi Aparajita, the goddess of victory, within the Aparahna (1:40 PM – 3:51 PM).
  • Ayudha / Shastra puja: clean and decorate tools, vehicles, books and work laptops, apply kumkum and offer flowers and a lamp.
  • Vidyarambham: help young children write their first letters, traditionally 'Om' or 'Sri', in rice or sand.
  • Evening: after sunset (6:01 PM), light a lamp, recite a Ramayana passage or the Rama Raksha Stotra, and share sweets.

For a fuller procedure, the stories behind Dussehra and its meaning, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 complete guide.

Practical tips for Dussehra in Chicago

  • It's a weekday: Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a normal work and school day. If you want to do the puja in the Vijay Muhurat, plan a late lunch break or a short time off.
  • Weekend programmes: many Chicagoland temples and groups hold their biggest Navratri and Dussehra events on weekends, so check dates before you set off.
  • Fireworks and effigies: rules on fireworks and open burning are set by local authorities and vary between Chicago and suburban villages. Leave effigy burning to organisers with the proper permits.
  • Parking and travel: popular suburban temples can fill up quickly on festival evenings. Arrive early, car-pool if you can, and follow parking volunteers.
  • Weather: October evenings in Chicago can be chilly and windy, so bring a jacket for outdoor garba or Ravan Dahan.
  • Use local times: don't convert India's muhurat into Central Time; use the Chicago timings above.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Chicago?

Tuesday 20 October 2026. In Chicago the Dashami tithi begins at 2:20 AM on Tuesday 20 October and ends at 3:41 AM on Wednesday 21 October (Central Daylight Time), so the whole afternoon of 20 October falls within Dashami.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Chicago on Dussehra 2026?

2:23 PM – 3:07 PM local time on Tuesday 20 October 2026, calculated by the Drik Panchang method for Chicago. The wider Aparahna period runs from 1:40 PM – 3:51 PM, and sunset is at 6:01 PM.

When does Navratri 2026 start in Chicago?

Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October 2026, with Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami falling together on Monday 19 October. Your temple's calendar will give the local Ghatasthapana time.

Can I convert India's Dussehra muhurat into Chicago time?

No. Muhurat windows depend on local sunrise and sunset, so India's times cannot simply be shifted into Central Time. Use the Chicago timings on this page or your mandir's calendar.

Where can I celebrate Dussehra in Chicago?

Chicagoland temples such as the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, along with community groups, usually announce Navratri and Dussehra programmes a few weeks ahead. Check their websites and social pages.

When is Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela in 2026?

In India, Bengal-tradition Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, Kolkata). Chicago Durga Pujas follow their own committee's schedule, which is often arranged around the weekend.