Dussehra 2026 Himachal Pradesh District-Wise Guide

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday 20 October 2026 per Drik Panchang, with Navratri from Sunday 11 October. This page goes district by district through the kullu dussehra and navratri melas events and arrangements we could verify across Himachal Pradesh.

Last updated: 11 October 2026. This page covers all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, with the 2026 arrangements and events we could verify (23 items) and the district's best-documented Dussehra traditions. Most neighbourhood and village celebrations are never announced online, so a district with no listed items still celebrates.

For dates, Vijay Muhurat timings and the meaning of the rituals, see our Dussehra 2026 in Himachal Pradesh guide. This page is the district-by-district companion.

Dussehra 2026 dates in Himachal Pradesh

Sharad Navratri begins: Sunday 11 October 2026.
Durga Ashtami: Monday 19 October 2026.
Dussehra / Vijayadashami: Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, India).

How Himachal Pradesh celebrates

Himachal's Dussehra is defined by Kullu, where hundreds of village deities gather around Lord Raghunath at Dhalpur maidan for a week beginning on Vijayadashami. Navratri also brings large melas to Shakti temples such as Naina Devi, Chintpurni and Jwalaji.

Himachal Pradesh district by district

Districts are listed as on the state government's current list (source). Items are labelled as an official listing, a news report, or completed. Confirm timings with the organiser before you travel.

Bilaspur

Headquarters: Bilaspur.

Ghumarwin Ramlila and Dussehra effigy burning (Ramlila from 11 Oct 2026; Ravana effigy on Dussehra). Organiser: Adarsh Ramlila Natak Samiti, Ghumarwin. Amar Ujala, news report.
Shri Naina Devi Ji Sharad Navratri fair: traffic and safety orders (Shri Naina Devi Ji temple and Toba-temple road; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: District Magistrate, Bilaspur. Amar Ujala, news report.

Chamba

Headquarters: Chamba.

Chamba Ramlila and Dussehra with Navratri idol worship (Navratri from 11 Oct 2026 to Dussehra). Organiser: Ramlila Club, Chamba. Amar Ujala, news report.

Hamirpur

Headquarters: Hamirpur.

Durga Puja Mahotsav, Avahdevi temple (Avahdevi Mata temple complex; 11-20 Oct 2026; kalash yatra 11 Oct at 9 am). Organiser: Avahdevi temple committee. Amar Ujala, news report.

Kangra

Headquarters: Dharamshala.

Himachal's Shakti Pitha shrines include Jwalamukhi, Bajreshwari (Kangra) and Chamunda in Kangra district. (source)

State-level Dussehra festival, Jaisinghpur (Jaisinghpur (Lambagaon); Jaisinghpur Chaugan; 18-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: SDM Jaisinghpur / festival committee. Amar Ujala, news report.
District-level Dussehra festival, Shahpur (Dussehra Maidan, Shahpur (procession from Mini Secretariat); 17-20 Oct 2026). Amar Ujala, news report.
Sharad Navratri at Jwalamukhi, Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham and Kangra temples (Jwalamukhi / Kangra / Chamunda; Shri Jwalamukhi temple; Shri Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham; Kangra (Bajreshwari) temple; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Temple trusts and district administration. Amar Ujala, news report.

Kinnaur

Headquarters: Reckong Peo.

No public 2026 announcement found in the sources we checked on 11 October 2026. Check the district administration's website, the municipal body and the district editions of local newspapers closer to the festival.

Kullu

Headquarters: Kullu.

Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and runs seven days at Dhalpur Maidan, where valley deities gather around the chariot of Raghunath. (source)

International Kullu Dussehra (Dhalpur Maidan; 21-27 Oct 2026). Organiser: International Kullu Dussehra Utsav Samiti / district administration. Amar Ujala, news report.
Kullu Dussehra preparations review by Deputy Commissioner (9 Oct 2026). Organiser: Deputy Commissioner (vice-chairman, Utsav Samiti). Dainik Savera Times, completed.
Artist auditions for Kullu Dussehra cultural evenings (Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra; 5-10 Oct 2026; separate audition at Ani on 13 Oct). Organiser: Dussehra Utsav Samiti / District Language Officer. Amar Ujala, news report.
Deity Kuikanda Nag Tandi departs for Kullu Dussehra on foot (Nither (Outer Seraj) to Dhalpur; Departs 18 Oct, reaches Dhalpur 21 Oct 2026). Organiser: Devlus of Kuikanda Nag Tandi. Amar Ujala, news report.
Hidimba temple Navratri mahayagya; Mata Hidimba leaves for Kullu Dussehra (Manali; Three-day yagya ending Ashtami; departure for Kullu on Navami 2026). Organiser: Temple committee. Amar Ujala, news report.
Dussehra at Thakur Murlidhar Chaturbhuj temple with rath yatra and Lanka dahan (Naggar (Thawa); Wed 21 Oct 2026; Kullvi dham 1-3 pm, Lanka dahan in the evening). Organiser: Temple Vikas Samiti. Amar Ujala, news report.

Lahaul and Spiti

Headquarters: Keylong.

Mandi

Headquarters: Mandi.

Shimla

Headquarters: Shimla.

District-level Sarahan Dussehra fair (Sarahan (Rampur Bushahr); Nalati playground, Sarahan; 20-23 Oct 2026; opens 20 Oct with Lord Raghunath ji's rath yatra). Organiser: SDM Rampur / fair committee. Amar Ujala, news report.
Junga Dussehra fair (Kyonthal) (Junga school playground (subject to High Court permission); 20-22 Oct 2026). Organiser: Fair committee, Junga. Amar Ujala, news report.
Ramlila in Shimla city (Nabha, Harinagar and BCS (New Shimla); From first Navratri, 11 Oct 2026). Organiser: Local Ramlila committees. Amar Ujala, news report.
Navratri arrangements at Shimla temples (Shimla district; District temples; 11-19 Oct 2026). Organiser: Commissioner (Temples) and DC Shimla. Amar Ujala, news report.
Tara Devi temple Navratri with Ashtami dangal (Tara Devi (Shimla); Sharad Navratri from 11 Oct 2026; dangal on Ashtami). Organiser: Temple trust. Amar Ujala, news report.

Sirmaur

Headquarters: Nahan.

Shri Mahamaya Balasundari Ashwin Navratri fair (Trilokpur; Trilokpur temple fair area; 11-26 Oct 2026). Organiser: District administration, Sirmaur. Amar Ujala, news report.

Solan

Headquarters: Solan.

Dharampur Ramlila (From Sat 10 Oct 2026). Organiser: Ramlila Club, Dharampur. Amar Ujala, news report.
Subathu Ramlila (revived after 24 years) (Stage at Aadhat Bazar; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Local organisers. Amar Ujala, news report.
Sharad Navratri at Maa Shoolini temple (Solan; From 11 Oct 2026; darshan from 5 am). Organiser: Temple administration. Amar Ujala, news report.

Una

Headquarters: Una.

Chintpurni in Una district is home to the Maa Chintpurni temple, one of the Shakti Pitha shrines. (source)

Chintpurni Sharad Navratri fair (Maa Chintpurni temple; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: District administration (SDM Amb) and temple trust. Amar Ujala, news report.

How to find celebrations near you

District administration and police: district websites and police social media post festival arrangements and traffic advisories in the days before Dussehra.
Municipal bodies: corporations and municipalities prepare grounds, immersion points and lighting, and announce them locally.
Temples and committees: temple boards, Ramlila committees and puja committees publish their own schedules, often on notice boards and social media.
Local newspapers: district editions carry the final venue and timing details in the last week before the festival.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Himachal Pradesh?

Tuesday 20 October 2026, according to Drik Panchang for India. Some local almanacs and puja committees keep certain rituals on a different day; follow your temple or committee.

Where are Dussehra events in my Himachal Pradesh district?

Most towns hold Ramlila, Ravan Dahan, Durga Puja or temple programmes at fixed local grounds and temples. Check the district listings on this page and the district edition of your newspaper; final timings are often announced only a few days before.

When is Kullu Dussehra 2026?

Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and runs for a week; for 2026 it is reported for 21 to 27 October at Dhalpur. See our Kullu Dussehra guide.

How can families celebrate Dussehra at home?

Many families worship the Shami tree or Shami leaves, honour books, tools and vehicles (Ayudha Puja), and begin new learning or ventures within the afternoon Vijay Muhurat of Vijayadashami. Our Dussehra 2026 complete guide explains the rituals step by step.

Editor's note

Editor's note (11 October 2026): We built this district guide from pages we opened on 11 October 2026: state and district government sites, temple and organiser pages, and reputable news reports. We list an event only when the page is clearly about 2026. We do not publish ticket prices, crowd figures, performers' or politicians' names. Festival dates follow Drik Panchang for India unless a source states a local date. Details change, so please confirm with the organiser or district administration.