Dussehra 2026 in Delhi: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Ramlila, Ravan Dahan and Durga Puja

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Delhi is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat for New Delhi is 1:59 to 2:45 PM (Drik Panchang, local time). Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October 2026. Ravan Dahan takes place after sunset on Dussehra evening.

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

Few cities celebrate Dussehra on the scale of Delhi. For the ten nights of Navratri, Ramlila stages light up grounds across the capital, from the historic venues of Old Delhi to the parks of residential colonies, and on Vijayadashami evening huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are set ablaze before cheering crowds. At the same time, Delhi's Bengali community celebrates Durga Puja in elaborate pandals, and the city's Devi temples are thronged with devotees through the nine days.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Because Ashtami and Navami share a single day in 2026, Delhi families who perform Kanya pujan on either day will do it on Monday 19 October. The Dashami tithi begins shortly after midday on 20 October and covers the afternoon, which is why Vijayadashami is observed on Tuesday 20 October.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Delhi

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon. It is the traditional time for Shami puja, Aparajita puja, Shastra puja (worship of weapons, tools and vehicles), starting new work, buying a vehicle or setting out on a journey.

Timings across the NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, will be within a minute or two of New Delhi's, but check a panchang set for your own location if you need exact times. The window falls after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST.

How Delhi celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Ramlila: the capital's great stage

Ramlila is the soul of Dussehra in Delhi. The tradition of enacting the Ramayana over several nights is centuries old in North India, and Delhi's Ramlilas range from grand productions with elaborate sets, costumes and lighting to small neighbourhood performances where local residents play Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana. Ramlila Maidan and the grounds near the Red Fort are traditionally among the best-known venues. Alongside them, many neighbourhood committees stage Ramlilas in parks and open grounds across the city.

The story unfolds night by night: Rama's birth, the breaking of Shiva's bow, exile to the forest, the abduction of Sita, the meeting with Hanuman, the building of the bridge to Lanka and the final battle. Schedules, timings and any entry arrangements are set by each committee every year, so check local announcements for 2026.

Ravan Dahan on Vijayadashami evening

On Dussehra evening, after the enactment of Rama's victory, the towering effigies of Ravana and his brothers are set alight, usually by a flaming arrow, to mark the triumph of good over evil. Building these effigies is a craft in itself: weeks before the festival, artisans assemble bamboo frames, paper, cloth and paint, and West Delhi's Titarpur area is well known for its effigy makers, whose giant Ravanas line the roadside in the run-up to Dussehra. Smaller effigies are burnt in housing societies and colony parks across the city.

Durga Puja in Delhi

Delhi has a large and long-established Bengali community, and Durga Puja is one of the highlights of the city's autumn. Chittaranjan Park in South Delhi is the best-known area for pandals, with idols, cultural programmes, food stalls and the sound of the dhak, and many other Bengali associations across Delhi and the NCR set up their own pujas. The festival culminates on Bijoya Dashami, which coincides with Vijayadashami, when married women take part in Sindoor Khela before the idol is bid farewell. Puja committees follow the Bengali panjika for the timings of Saptami, Ashtami, Sandhi Puja and Navami, so check their announcements.

Navratri at Delhi's Devi temples

Delhi's Devi temples are at their busiest during Navratri. The Jhandewalan Temple and the Kalkaji Mandir are among the city's best-known shrines of the Goddess, and the Chhatarpur temple complex in South Delhi also draws large crowds. Many Delhi families keep the nine-day fast, eating vrat food such as kuttu, singhara and sabudana, and end it with Kanya pujan on Ashtami or Navami, when young girls are honoured as forms of the Devi and served halwa, puri and kale chane. Temples see very heavy crowds during Navratri, so check each temple's official website for current timings and arrangements.

Practical tips for Dussehra in Delhi

• Crowds: large Ramlila grounds and Ravan Dahan sites draw very big crowds. Keep children close, agree a meeting point and carry minimal valuables.
• Safety at Ravan Dahan: stand well back from the effigies, which are packed with firecrackers, and follow the instructions of organisers and police.
• Getting there: traffic around major venues is usually heavy on Dussehra evening, and the traffic police usually issue advisories. Public transport such as the Delhi Metro is often the easier option.
• Firecrackers: rules on firecrackers in Delhi are set by the authorities and the courts and have changed over the years. Check the current official orders.
• Air quality: late October can bring poorer air in Delhi. People with asthma or other breathing problems may want to check air quality updates before heading out.

What to do on Vijayadashami

• Aparajita and Shami puja: worship the goddess of victory and the Shami tree in the afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Shastra puja: clean and worship tools, vehicles, account books and laptops.
• Begin something new: Vijayadashami is one of the most auspicious days of the year for new ventures and purchases.
• Ravan Dahan: join the community effigy burning after sunset, a reminder that arrogance and adharma are finally defeated.

For Delhi families abroad

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Delhi's Vijay Muhurat into your local time zone.
• Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a working day in most countries. Many mandirs and community groups hold their Ramlila or Ravan Dahan on the nearest weekend, so check their announcements.
• Hold Kanya pujan on Monday 19 October, or on the weekend if that is more practical.
• Video-call family in Delhi so children can watch the neighbourhood Ramlila or Ravan Dahan.

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

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

Vijayadashami is the day dharma triumphs and light overcomes darkness. As commonly told, Maa Durga vanquished Mahishasura after nine nights of battle, and Lord Rama defeated Ravana to bring Sita home. For Hindus in Delhi, the Ramlila stages, Durga Puja pandals and blazing effigies make this victory feel close and alive. Before the evening crowds gather, pause to share a blessing. Choose a message below and send it to your parents, elders, friends and colleagues, near or far.

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 Maa Durga fill our home with courage, peace and togetherness, and may every shadow give way to light. Share on WhatsApp

Dear Maa and Papa, on this Dussehra I touch your feet with love. May the Divine Mother keep you healthy, peaceful and smiling always, and bless our home. 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

Wishing you a joyful Dussehra from Delhi, my friend! As Ravana burns tonight, may every worry in your life turn to ash and new hope rise. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

Warm Vijayadashami wishes to you and your loved ones. May this auspicious day bless your work with clarity, honesty and success on the right path. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Maa Durga! 🌺 May the Mother who conquered Mahishasura give you strength to overcome every fear and fill your heart with fearless faith. Share on WhatsApp

From the Ramlila grounds of Delhi, Happy Dussehra! May Lord Rama's dharma guide our steps and may truth always win over arrogance. Jai Shri Ram 🏹 Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

O Maa Durga, Mother of all strength, and Lord Rama, protector of dharma, I bow before you on this Vijayadashami. As the effigies of Ravana burn, help me burn away my own anger, pride and envy. Give me courage to face my fears, wisdom to choose what is right, and humility to keep learning. Keep my family free of negativity, united in love and devoted to truth. Jai Maa Durga, Jai Shri Ram.

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

Also read: Garba 2026 in Delhi NCR.

Also read: Delhi Ramlila 2026.

Also read: Durga Puja 2026 in Delhi's CR Park: dates and pandal tips.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Delhi?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Delhi is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST that day and covers the afternoon, and Ravan Dahan takes place after sunset.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Delhi on Dussehra 2026?

The Vijay Muhurat for New Delhi is 1:59 to 2:45 PM (Drik Panchang, local time). Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad will be within a minute or two, but check a panchang for your own location if you need exact times.

When are Navratri, Ashtami and Navami in Delhi in 2026?

Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October 2026. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October, so Delhi families doing Kanya pujan will do it on that day.

Where can I see Ramlila and Ravan Dahan in Delhi?

Ramlila Maidan and the grounds near the Red Fort are traditionally among the best-known venues, and many neighbourhood committees stage Ramlilas in parks and open grounds. Schedules and entry arrangements are set by each committee, so check local announcements for 2026.

Where is Durga Puja celebrated in Delhi?

Chittaranjan Park in South Delhi is the best-known area for Durga Puja pandals, and many other Bengali associations across Delhi and the NCR set up their own pujas. Committees follow the Bengali panjika, so check their announcements for timings.

Which Delhi temples are busiest during Navratri?

The Jhandewalan Temple, Kalkaji Mandir and the Chhatarpur temple complex draw very large crowds during Navratri. Check each temple's official website for current timings and arrangements.

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 and the New Delhi Vijay Muhurat are from Drik Panchang for India. We have not listed 2026 Ramlila schedules, Ravan Dahan times, guests or entry details because these are announced by organisers each year; please check official sources before you go. Firecracker rules are set by the authorities and courts and can change. Temple timings change, so check the temple's official website.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRI families
• Dussehra 2026 in Punjab
• Dussehra 2026 in Rajasthan
• Dussehra 2026 in Uttarakhand
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar