Dussehra 2026 in Denmark, City by City: Date, Vijay Muhurat and Hindu Temples

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Denmark is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 in every city. The Vijay Muhurat, calculated by the Drik Panchang method, is 2:35 PM – 3:16 PM in Copenhagen, 2:44 PM – 3:25 PM in Aarhus and Odense and 2:45 PM – 3:25 PM in Aalborg (Danish summer time, CEST, UTC+2). Navratri runs from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October 2026.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): The local times on this page were calculated for each city from the Drik Panchang tithi (Dashami from 12:50 PM IST on 20 October to 2:11 PM IST on 21 October 2026), using Danish summer time, which is still in force on 20 October. The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 daytime muhurtas, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We do not list 2026 event schedules, because temples and associations announce their own programmes; please check with them directly.

Denmark's Hindu community is small, with an estimated 40,000 Hindus, but it has two quite different strands. The older and larger one is the Sri Lankan Tamil community, which began arriving in 1983 during the Sri Lankan civil war and settled widely across Jutland as well as Zealand. Tamil families built Denmark's best-known temples in the Jutland towns of Brande and Herning, so Tamil Navaratri traditions such as Golu, Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja are strong. The second strand is a fast-growing community of Indian professionals, researchers and students, concentrated around Copenhagen but also in Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg and Kolding. They bring Gujarati garba, Bengali Durga Puja, North Indian Ramlila traditions and Telugu Bathukamma. Nepalese Hindus also join celebrations, especially in the Copenhagen area.

Dussehra 2026 in Denmark: dates and Vijay Muhurat by city

The whole of Denmark is on Central European Summer Time (UTC+0200) on 20 October; the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October. The Dashami tithi begins and ends at the same moment everywhere, so only the sun-based windows differ from city to city. Copenhagen, in the east, has the earliest Vijay Muhurat; the Jutland and Funen cities are about ten minutes later.

The Aparahna (afternoon period) is the traditional window for Aparajita and Shami puja, and sunset marks the time for any evening Ravan Dahan or aarti:

Key Navratri and Dussehra dates 2026

Ashtami and Navami share Monday 19 October in India's calendar this year, so families who do Kanya pujan on either day will hold it then. In every Danish city the Dashami tithi covers the whole Aparahna on 20 October, by about two hours, so there is no doubt about the date.

Hindu temples in Denmark for Navratri & Dussehra

These temples and associations have been confirmed to exist in or near each city. We list name and area only; check their own websites or social pages for opening hours and festival plans. Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages.

Capital Region: Copenhagen

Copenhagen's Vijay Muhurat is 2:35 PM – 3:16 PM, with the Aparahna from 1:54 PM – 3:56 PM and sunset at 5:58 PM. The capital area has Denmark's largest Indian community, many of them working in life sciences, IT, shipping and research, and it is also within easy reach of Malmö across the Øresund Bridge.

• Bharatiya Mandir — Skovlunde (Ballerup), western Copenhagen. Opened in 1997, it is the main temple for Indian Hindus in Denmark, welcoming North and South Indian and Nepalese devotees, with murtis including Ganesha, Shiva and Durga.
• ISKCON Copenhagen (Hare Krishna temple) — Vanløse, Copenhagen. Founded in 1979 and in its present building since 2002; some Indian families also attend it for festivals.
• Bengalis in Denmark — Copenhagen. Founded in 2013 to celebrate Bengali pujas; its Durga Puja of Copenhagen draws Bengalis from across Denmark and from southern Sweden.
• Indian Association Denmark (IAD) — Copenhagen area. A cultural association for the Indian community that organises festival celebrations.
• Denmark Telugu Association — Copenhagen area. A community group for Telugu families, a natural contact for Bathukamma and Dasara gatherings.

At Navratri, Bharatiya Mandir and community groups typically hold Durga and Mata ki chowki pujas, aarti and bhajans. Garba and dandiya nights are often held in rented halls on weekends, and the Durga Puja brings dhak drumming, pushpanjali, bhog and cultural evenings.

Central Jutland: Aarhus, Herning and Brande

Aarhus's Vijay Muhurat is 2:44 PM – 3:25 PM (Aparahna 2:04 PM – 4:05 PM, sunset 6:06 PM). Denmark's second city has a sizeable Indian student and professional community around Aarhus University and local industry. Central Jutland is also the heartland of Tamil Hindu life in Denmark. Its two consecrated Tamil temples lie within about an hour's drive of Aarhus.

• Sree Abirami Amman Temple — Brande. Founded in the early 1990s and dedicated to the Goddess Abirami, it was the first Tamil temple in Europe led by a priestess. It is known for its chariot festival and is a natural focus for Navaratri, the Goddess's festival.
• Sree Sithy Vinayakar Temple — Herning. A Tamil Ganesha temple holding daily puja, serving families across Jutland.

At Navaratri, Tamil temples typically hold nightly Devi abhishekam and alankaram, with Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja near the end of the nine nights and Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami. Indian families in Aarhus itself often organise garba and Durga Puja through student and professional groups, or travel to Copenhagen for the larger events.

Southern Denmark: Odense and Kolding

Odense's Vijay Muhurat is 2:44 PM – 3:25 PM (Aparahna 2:03 PM – 4:05 PM, sunset 6:07 PM). Odense and the rest of the region have a growing number of Indian families linked to the university, robotics and healthcare, as well as Tamil families settled since the 1980s. We could not confirm a dedicated Hindu temple in Odense itself. Families there usually celebrate at home, through informal community and student groups, or by travelling to the Jutland temples in Brande and Herning or to Copenhagen.

• The Expats Association of Kolding (TEAK) — Kolding. An expat community association that has hosted Navratri celebrations for Indian families in the Kolding area.

North Jutland: Aalborg

Aalborg's Vijay Muhurat is 2:45 PM – 3:25 PM (Aparahna 2:04 PM – 4:05 PM, sunset 6:05 PM). Aalborg's Indian community is centred on Aalborg University and the region's engineering and wind-energy companies. We could not confirm a Hindu temple in Aalborg through reliable listings. Families usually mark Navratri at home and with student and community groups, or make the drive south to Herning and Brande, about two hours away, for temple worship. Ask at your university's Indian student association for local Navratri and Diwali gatherings.

How Denmark celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Because 11–20 October are ordinary working days, much of the community celebration in Denmark moves to the weekends around Navratri. Gujarati and wider Indian groups hold garba and dandiya nights in community halls, with chaniya choli and kediyu, a central Mataji image and aarti at the start. Bengali associations organise Durga Puja with an idol, pushpanjali, bhog and cultural evenings, ending with Bijoya greetings. Tamil and other South Indian families set up Golu (Bommai Kolu) displays at home and visit each other's homes, while temples hold Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja. Telugu families may celebrate Bathukamma with flower stacks and circle songs, and Nepalese families observe Dashain with tika and jamara.

Large open-air Ravan Dahan as seen in India is rare in Denmark. Open fires, effigy burning and fireworks are regulated by the municipality and the police, and Danish rules allow consumer fireworks to be sold and used only around New Year. Where groups mark Ravan Dahan, it is usually as a stage play of the Ramayana, a small symbolic effigy or a story session for children. North Indian families often watch the Ramlila online or tell children the story of Rama's victory at home.

Dussehra puja at home

If you cannot reach a temple on a Tuesday, a short puja at home in the afternoon is entirely traditional. Ideally do it during your city's Vijay Muhurat, or at least within the Aparahna:

• Aparajita puja: draw an eight-petalled lotus with kumkum or rice flour, place a lamp, and worship Devi Aparajita, the goddess of victory, with flowers, akshat and a simple prayer for success over obstacles.
• Shami puja: if you have Shami leaves (or a substitute such as apta/bauhinia leaves from an Indian grocer), offer them to the Devi and exchange them with family as "gold" — a Maharashtrian and Karnataka custom.
• Ayudha Puja / Shastra puja: clean and decorate tools, books, laptops, bicycles and the car, apply kumkum and offer flowers, thanking them for their service.
• Vidyarambham: Vijayadashami is the traditional day for small children to begin learning — writing "Om" or the first letters of the alphabet in rice.
• Seemollanghan and new beginnings: a short walk beyond your street, starting a course or signing a new venture are traditional symbols of victory on this day.

A simple order: bathe, light a lamp, pray to Ganesha, do the Aparajita and Shami puja, then Ayudha puja, offer naivedya (sweets, fruit), do aarti and share prasad. For full step-by-step vidhi and the stories behind the festival, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Practical tips for Dussehra in Denmark

• Working day: Tuesday 20 October is a normal working and school day. The Vijay Muhurat falls in mid-afternoon, so consider a short break, working from home, or doing the puja later within the Aparahna if you can. Danish autumn school holidays (efterårsferie) usually fall in week 42, the week before, so check your own school's calendar.
• Fire and fireworks: rules on open fires, effigy burning and fireworks are set by your municipality (kommune) and the police. Do not burn effigies or use fireworks without permission.
• Getting to temples: in Copenhagen, S-trains and buses serve both Skovlunde and Vanløse. Brande and Herning in Jutland are best reached by car or regional train and bus, and parking is limited on festival days, so car-share where you can. Check Rejseplanen for evening services.
• Weather: Danish evenings in late October are cool, windy and often wet, and sunset is between 5:58 PM and 6:07 PM depending on the city, so bring warm layers for any outdoor events.
• Puja items: Indian grocers in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense stock flowers, kumkum and sweets, but buy a few days early as stock runs short before Navratri weekends.
• Muhurat: use your own city's times from the table above; never convert India's times into Danish time.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Denmark?

Tuesday 20 October 2026 in every Danish city. The Dashami tithi begins at 9:20 AM Danish time (CEST) on 20 October and ends at 10:41 AM on Wednesday 21 October, so it covers the whole afternoon of the 20th.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Copenhagen and Aarhus?

Calculated by the Drik Panchang method for each city: Copenhagen 2:35 PM – 3:16 PM and Aarhus 2:44 PM – 3:25 PM on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Odense is 2:44 PM – 3:25 PM and Aalborg 2:45 PM – 3:25 PM, all in Danish summer time (CEST).

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

No. The Vijay Muhurat depends on local sunrise and sunset, so it has to be calculated for your own city. Use the Danish times on this page or your temple's calendar, not India's times shifted by the time difference.

When is Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela for Bengali families in Denmark?

In India, Bengal-tradition Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, Kolkata). The Durga Puja in Copenhagen run by Bengalis in Denmark follows its own committee's schedule, so check their announcements.

Where will Ravan Dahan and garba take place in Denmark?

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead, so check their websites and social pages. Open fires and fireworks need permission from the local authorities, so most groups mark Ravan Dahan symbolically, if at all.

Is Dussehra a holiday in Denmark?

No. Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October 2026 are normal working and school days in Denmark, so many families do the afternoon puja at home and join temple or community celebrations in the evening or on the following weekend.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in Europe, country by country
• Navratri 2026: complete guide for NRI families
• Dussehra 2026 in Sweden, city by city
• Dussehra 2026 in Norway, city by city
• Dussehra 2026 in Germany, city by city
• Dussehra 2026 in the Netherlands, city by city
• Dussehra 2026 UK, region by region
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar