Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Geelong is on Wednesday 21 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat is 3:20 PM – 4:13 PM local time (AEDT, UTC+11), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. In India Dussehra is a day earlier, on Tuesday 20 October, but in Geelong the Dashami tithi only begins on Tuesday evening, so the festival moves to Wednesday.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): The Geelong date and times on this page were calculated for Geelong's own location and time zone (Australia/Melbourne, on daylight saving time in October) using the Drik Panchang method: the Dashami tithi (12:50 PM IST 20 October to 2:11 PM IST 21 October) is shown in local time, and Vijayadashami is placed on the day Dashami covers the afternoon. The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 daytime muhurtas. We do not list 2026 event schedules, venues or ticket details, because temples and community groups announce these themselves. Please check their official channels before you go.

Dussehra 2026 dates and timings for Geelong

ObservanceGeelong (AEDT, UTC+11)
Sharad Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)Sunday 11 October 2026 (India date)
Durga Ashtami and Maha NavamiMonday 19 October 2026 in India; follow your temple's calendar locally
Dussehra / VijayadashamiWednesday 21 October 2026
Dashami tithi beginsTue 20 Oct, 6:20 PM
Dashami tithi endsWed 21 Oct, 7:41 PM
Vijay Muhurat (calculated by the Drik Panchang method)3:20 PM – 4:13 PM, Wed 21 Oct
Aparahna (afternoon puja window)2:27 PM – 5:06 PM, Wed 21 Oct
Sunset7:45 PM, Wed 21 Oct

Across India, Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026 and Vijayadashami is on Tuesday 20 October. Geelong is far enough east that the Dashami tithi only begins at 6:20 PM on Tuesday 20 October, after the afternoon has passed. On Wednesday 21 October Dashami covers the whole afternoon, so the Vijay Muhurat (3:20 PM – 4:13 PM) falls comfortably inside it, and the tithi lasts until 7:41 PM that evening. Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo follow the same pattern. Because the whole festival shifts slightly in eastern Australia, some local calendars may also list Ashtami and Navami a day later than India, so follow your temple.

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Hindu temples in Geelong for Navratri & Dussehra

Geelong's Hindu community is smaller than Melbourne's but growing steadily, with families from many parts of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Fiji and beyond. These temples and community organisations, confirmed through their own websites, social pages or council listings, are good places to start:

  • Shiv Temple Geelong (Geelong Hindu Society) – Marshall. The city's dedicated Hindu temple, a natural focus for Navratri prayers and Vijayadashami puja.
  • Sri Sai Siva Vishnu Temple Arts, Educational and Cultural Association – Bell Post Hill. Holds regular weekly services and cultural activities for Geelong's multilingual Hindu community.
  • Bengali Society of Geelong – Geelong and regional Victoria. The local Bengali community group, which lists Durga Puja among its annual events.
  • Geelong Tamil Sanggam – Geelong. Celebrates Tamil culture and festivals, a good contact for families who keep Golu and Saraswati Puja.
  • Greater Geelong Malayalee Association – Geelong. The Malayali community association, relevant for families interested in Vidyarambham and Pooja Veppu traditions.

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages. Many Geelong families also travel up the Princes Freeway to Melbourne's larger temples for the main festival days; see our Dussehra 2026 Melbourne guide for the city.

How Geelong celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Garba and dandiya nights

Gujarati and North Indian families in Geelong usually mark Navratri with garba and dandiya evenings in community halls. A typical night begins with aarti to the Goddess, followed by circle dances to live or recorded music, with everyone in bright chaniya cholis and kurtas. Because the nine nights fall on weekdays, many groups hold their biggest celebrations on the weekends of the festival.

Durga Puja

Geelong's Bengali community organises Durga Puja with the goddess and her children Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, pushpanjali offerings, the sound of the dhak, bhog shared by everyone, and cultural programmes of music and dance. In India, Bengal-tradition Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, Kolkata); diaspora Durga Pujas, including in Geelong, follow their committee's schedule, which often settles on a convenient weekend.

Golu, Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja

Tamil, Telugu and Kannada families often set up a Golu or Bommala Koluvu, a stepped display of dolls, and invite friends over for songs and sundal through the nine nights. On Navami, books, musical instruments, tools and laptops are placed before Goddess Saraswati for Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja. Telugu families may also celebrate Bathukamma, building floral towers and singing around them. Malayali families mark Pooja Veppu and bring children for Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami morning.

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Ramlila and Ravan Dahan

Large-scale Ramlila stages and towering effigies are more an Indian sight than a Geelong one, but North Indian community groups in Victoria sometimes stage a short Ramayana drama for children and a small symbolic Ravan Dahan. Any effigy burning or fireworks needs permission from local authorities, so these programmes are usually organised with the council and held at approved venues.

Dussehra puja at home in Geelong

With Vijayadashami on a Wednesday, many Geelong families will mark the day with a short home puja. Aim to perform the main rituals within the Aparahna (2:27 PM – 5:06 PM), ideally during the Vijay Muhurat (3:20 PM – 4:13 PM).

  • Aparajita puja: draw a simple eight-petalled lotus with rice or kumkum, place a lamp in the centre, and worship Goddess Aparajita, the undefeated form of Devi, with flowers, haldi-kumkum and a prayer for victory over obstacles.
  • Shami puja: if you have a Shami plant (or a substitute such as an Apta or mango leaf), offer water, rice and flowers to it. Many Maharashtrian and Kannada families exchange Apta or Shami leaves as 'gold' with elders and friends.
  • Ayudha puja: clean and decorate your tools, car, work laptop or study books, apply a tilak of kumkum and sandalwood, and offer a flower.
  • Vidyarambham: young children can write their first letters, often 'Om' or the first letters of the alphabet, in a plate of rice, guided by a parent or elder.
  • Simple vidhi: light a diya, offer prayers to Ganesha, recite a Ram stotra or the Durga Saptashati verses you know, offer sweets and fruit, do aarti and share prasad with the family.

For the full story of Dussehra and a detailed puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 complete guide.

Practical tips for Dussehra in Geelong

  • It is a weekday: both Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October are working and school days in Victoria. Plan a short evening puja, or join your temple's weekend celebration.
  • Use local times: Victoria is on daylight saving time (AEDT, UTC+11) in October. Do not convert India's muhurat times into Geelong time; use the Geelong times above.
  • Fireworks and effigies: fireworks and open burning are regulated by Victorian and local authorities. Check the City of Greater Geelong and state rules, and never burn effigies at home.
  • Getting there: temple and community events can fill local parking quickly. Car-pool with friends, arrive early, and check whether the venue suggests nearby parking or public transport.
  • Spring weather: Geelong evenings in October can be cool and windy, so bring a light jacket for outdoor garba or evening programmes.
  • Travelling to Melbourne: if you plan to attend a Melbourne temple, allow extra time for evening traffic on the Princes Freeway or check V/Line train timetables.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Geelong?

Wednesday 21 October 2026. In Geelong the Dashami tithi begins at 6:20 PM on Tuesday 20 October, after that afternoon's Aparahna has ended, so Vijayadashami is observed on Wednesday 21 October, one day after India (Tuesday 20 October).

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Geelong on Dussehra 2026?

3:20 PM – 4:13 PM local time (AEDT, UTC+11) on Wednesday 21 October 2026, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. The wider Aparahna window is 2:27 PM – 5:06 PM. This is the traditional time for Shami puja, Aparajita puja and Ayudha puja.

Why is Dussehra a day later in Geelong than in India?

The Dashami tithi starts at 12:50 PM IST on 20 October in India, which is already evening in Victoria. Because Dussehra is kept on the day Dashami covers the afternoon (Aparahna), eastern Australia, including Geelong and Melbourne, observes it on Wednesday 21 October.

Which Hindu temples in Geelong celebrate Navratri and Dussehra?

Shiv Temple Geelong (Geelong Hindu Society) in Marshall and the Sri Sai Siva Vishnu Temple association in Bell Post Hill serve the local Hindu community, and the Bengali Society of Geelong, Geelong Tamil Sanggam and the Greater Geelong Malayalee Association hold festival gatherings. Check their websites or social pages for 2026 programmes.

When is Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela for Geelong's Durga Puja?

In the Bengali tradition, Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 in India (Drik Panchang, Kolkata). Community Durga Pujas in Australia often move rituals to a weekend, so follow your puja committee's schedule.

Can I use India's Dussehra timings in Geelong?

No. Muhurat windows depend on local sunrise and sunset and on when the tithi falls locally, so India's times cannot simply be converted into Victorian time. Use the Geelong timings on this page or your temple's calendar.