Dussehra 2026 in Gujarat: Date, Vijay Muhurat for Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Garba and Fafda-Jalebi

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Gujarat is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Vijay Muhurat: Ahmedabad 2:19 to 3:05 PM, Vadodara 2:17 to 3:03 PM and Surat 2:19 to 3:05 PM (Drik Panchang, local time). Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, with Ashtami and Navami both 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 Gujarat, Dussehra arrives after the most energetic nine nights of the year. Navratri Garba fills every society compound, party plot and temple courtyard, and Vijayadashami is the joyful finale: a morning of fafda and jalebi, Shastra puja of tools and vehicles, auspicious purchases and Ravan Dahan in the evening. Here are the 2026 dates, Vijay Muhurat for the main cities, the customs that make Gujarati Dussehra distinctive and ideas for the large Gujarati diaspora.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day in 2026, so families who perform the Ashtami havan and Navami puja will do both on Monday 19 October. Vijayadashami is observed on Tuesday 20 October because Dashami prevails through the afternoon of that day.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Gujarat cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window on Dussehra for Shami puja, Shastra puja and beginning new ventures. Timings for 20 October 2026, from Drik Panchang, in local time:

Saurashtra and Kutch lie further west, so cities such as Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhuj will have a slightly later window. Use a local panchang for exact timings.

How Gujarat celebrates Dussehra

The end of Navratri Garba

Navratri in Gujarat is devotion expressed through dance. Each night, people circle a garbo, an earthen pot with a lamp inside representing the goddess, clapping and spinning in the Garba and striking sticks in Dandiya Raas. Traditional aartis to Amba Maa open and close the evening. Large community events in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot attract tens of thousands of dancers, while smaller society Garbas keep the old songs alive. By Dussehra, the garbo is honoured and the nine nights of worship are brought to a close.

Fafda-jalebi morning

Ask any Gujarati about Dussehra and the first answer is often fafda-jalebi. On Vijayadashami morning, families queue at farsan and sweet shops for crisp gram-flour fafda with papaya sambharo, green chillies and kadhi chutney, along with hot, syrupy jalebi. It is a food custom rather than a ritual requirement, but it has become inseparable from the day.

Shastra puja and new beginnings

Gujarat's business culture treats Vijayadashami as one of the most auspicious days for new beginnings. Shopkeepers worship their tools and account books, families perform puja of vehicles, and many choose the day to buy a new car, two-wheeler, gold or property. Rajput and Kshatriya families perform Shastra puja of swords and weapons, a tradition that recalls the martial origins of the festival.

Ravan Dahan

In the evening, Ravana effigies are burned at grounds in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and other cities, often organised by associations of people from North India alongside local groups. Venues and timings are announced locally each year.

Devi temples during Navratri

Gujarat's great Shakti shrines see huge crowds during Navratri. Ambaji in Banaskantha district is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas, Pavagadh's Kalika Mata temple stands on a hill near Champaner, Bahuchar Mata is worshipped at Becharaji, and Ashapura Mata at Mata no Madh in Kutch is a major pilgrimage. Check each temple's official website for current timings and arrangements before travelling.

What to do on Vijayadashami

• Aparajita and Shami puja: worship of the goddess of victory and of the Shami tree in the afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Shastra puja: clean and worship tools, vehicles, account books and laptops.
• New beginnings: start new studies or business, or make planned purchases.
• Visit elders: seek blessings and share sweets.
• Closing Navratri: conclude the Navratri worship, immerse the garbo or javara (grain shoots) according to family custom.

After Dussehra, Gujarat moves quickly towards Sharad Purnima, when many communities hold one more night of Garba under the full moon, and then to Diwali on Sunday 8 November 2026, which for Gujaratis is followed by Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year.

For Gujarati families abroad

The Gujarati diaspora is one of the largest and most organised in the world, with strong communities in the USA, the UK, Canada, East Africa and Australia. Navratri Garba abroad is often bigger than Diwali. Some practical tips:

• Do not convert Ahmedabad's Vijay Muhurat into your time zone. Use a panchang for your city or the calendar of your local mandir.
• Community Garba abroad usually concentrates on weekends, so programmes may run before and after the actual Navratri dates. Check your organiser's schedule.
• Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a working day in most countries. Do a short Shastra puja of your laptop or car in the evening and keep the fafda-jalebi tradition alive at home or at a local Gujarati farsan shop.
• Many Swaminarayan and other Gujarati temples abroad hold Dussehra programmes; check with your temple for the plan.
• Use the day to teach children the story of Rama's victory and the meaning of the garbo lamp.

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

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

After nine joyful nights of Garba around the glowing garbo, Hindus across Gujarat welcome Vijayadashami with grateful hearts. The day celebrates the victory of dharma, of light over darkness and, as commonly told, of Maa Durga over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana. It is a day for new beginnings, for honouring our work and for touching the feet of our elders. Carry that blessing forward: send one of these messages to your family and friends, 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 Dussehra to our whole family! 🪔 May the light of Amba Maa that glowed through nine nights of Garba stay in our home with love, peace and happiness. Share on WhatsApp

Pranam to our dear parents and elders on Vijayadashami. 🙏 Your blessings guide every new beginning. May Maa Durga keep you healthy, strong and content. Share on WhatsApp

Dussehra wishes from our home in Gujarat to all our dear friends! 🌼 May this day of victory bring you courage, sweet moments and a fresh start in every way. Share on WhatsApp

Warm Vijayadashami wishes to my colleagues. As we honour our tools and work today, may our efforts be blessed with honesty, focus and success together. Share on WhatsApp

May Maa Durga, who triumphed over Mahishasura, fill your heart with shakti to conquer every fear and stand firm in truth. Jai Amba Maa! Happy Dussehra! 🔱 Share on WhatsApp

As the Garba nights in Gujarat come to a close, may Lord Rama's victory remind us that goodness always wins. 🏹 May his blessings bring dharma and joy to your home. Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Amba, Lord Rama, on this sacred Vijayadashami I bow before you with a grateful heart. Give me the strength to face life's challenges, the courage to choose the right path, and the wisdom to act with humility. Bless my family with unity and keep our home free from negativity, jealousy and fear. May every new beginning we make be guided by your light.

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

Also read: Garba 2026 in Ahmedabad and Garba 2026 in Vadodara.

Also read: fafda-jalebi recipe.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Gujarat?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Gujarat is on Tuesday 20 October. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and it falls on the day after the nine nights of Navratri Garba.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat?

On Tuesday 20 October 2026 the Vijay Muhurat is 2:19 to 3:05 PM in Ahmedabad, 2:17 to 3:03 PM in Vadodara and 2:19 to 3:05 PM in Surat. Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhuj have a slightly later window, so check your local panchang.

When are Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in Gujarat in 2026?

Both fall on Monday 19 October 2026. Families who perform the Ashtami havan and Navami puja will do both on that day.

Why do Gujaratis eat fafda-jalebi on Dussehra?

Fafda-jalebi is a much-loved food custom rather than a ritual requirement. On Vijayadashami morning, families queue at farsan and sweet shops for crisp fafda and hot jalebi, and the treat has become inseparable from the day.

Where do people celebrate Navratri and Dussehra in Gujarat?

Large community Garbas fill Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, and Ravana effigies are burned at grounds in these cities on Dussehra evening. Devi shrines such as Ambaji, Pavagadh's Kalika Mata temple, Becharaji and Mata no Madh in Kutch draw huge crowds during Navratri.

What should I do on Vijayadashami in Gujarat?

Perform Aparajita and Shami puja during the Vijay Muhurat, worship tools, vehicles and account books in Shastra puja, and begin new studies or ventures. Visit elders for blessings and close Navratri by honouring the garbo as your family custom directs.

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 Vijay Muhurat timings are from Drik Panchang for India. We have not listed Garba venues, passes, prices or Ravan Dahan locations because these are announced by organisers each year. Temple timings change, so check the temple's official website.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Navratri 2026 in Canada: Garba, Dandiya and Durga Puja city by city
• Dussehra 2026 in Rajasthan
• Dussehra 2026 in Madhya Pradesh
• Dussehra 2026 in Goa
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar