Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Hobart is on Wednesday 21 October 2026, one day after India. The Vijay Muhurat for Hobart is 3:10 PM – 4:04 PM local time (AEDT, UTC+11), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and the Dashami tithi runs in Hobart from 6:20 PM on Tuesday 20 October to 7:41 PM on Wednesday 21 October.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): The Hobart times on this page were calculated for Hobart's own sunrise and sunset in the Australia/Hobart time zone, which is on daylight saving time (UTC+11) in October. The Dashami tithi (12:50 PM IST 20 Oct to 2:11 PM IST 21 Oct, per Drik Panchang) has been shown in Hobart time, and the Vijay Muhurat follows the Drik Panchang method. We do not list 2026 event schedules, venues or ticket details, because temples and community groups announce these themselves each year.

Hobart's Hindu community is small but close-knit and growing fast, with families from across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji and beyond, and many students at the University of Tasmania. Navratri and Dussehra here are celebrated at the Shree Ganesha Temple in Bridgewater, in community halls and in homes across greater Hobart, with each language community bringing its own traditions.

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Dussehra 2026 dates and times for Hobart

ObservanceHobart (local time, AEDT)
Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)Sunday 11 October 2026
Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami (India)Monday 19 October 2026
Dussehra / Vijayadashami in HobartWednesday 21 October 2026
Dashami tithi beginsTue 20 Oct, 6:20 PM
Dashami tithi endsWed 21 Oct, 7:41 PM
Vijay Muhurat (Drik Panchang method)3:10 PM – 4:04 PM, Wed 21 Oct
Aparahna (afternoon puja window)2:16 PM – 4:58 PM, Wed 21 Oct
Sunset7:40 PM, Wed 21 Oct

Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026, with Ashtami and Navami falling together on Monday 19 October in India. In India, Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 October because Dashami begins at 12:50 PM IST, in time for the afternoon. Hobart is five and a half hours ahead of India in October, so Dashami does not begin until 6:20 PM on Tuesday, after Hobart's afternoon has passed. On Wednesday 21 October the whole Aparahna (2:16 PM – 4:58 PM) falls within Dashami, which is why Vijayadashami is observed on Wednesday in Hobart, as it is across eastern Australia.

Bengal-tradition families should note that Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela are on Wednesday 21 October in India (Drik Panchang, Kolkata). Durga Pujas in the diaspora follow their own committee's schedule, so check with your puja committee.

Hindu temples in Hobart for Navratri & Dussehra

These temples and organisations are active in Hobart and southern Tasmania. We have listed names and areas only; check each group's website or social pages for current details.

  • Shree Ganesha Temple (Hindu Society of Tasmania) – Bridgewater, in Hobart's northern suburbs. The Hindu Society of Tasmania runs this temple and cultural centre and organises traditional Hindu festivals for the Tasmanian community.
  • Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania (Bharat Bhavan) – Glenorchy. An umbrella body for the Indian community in Hobart that celebrates festivals, cultural events and community gatherings through the year.
  • Royal Bengal Club Tasmania – statewide, with members in Hobart. Brings Bengali families together and hosts Durga Pujo.
  • Tamil Association of Tasmania – Hobart. One of the regional language groups working with the wider Indian community, alongside Malayali, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi groups.
  • Nepali Society of Tasmania and NRNA Tasmania – Hobart. Nepali community organisations that bring families together for cultural celebrations, including Dashain.

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages.

How Hobart celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Garba and dandiya

Gujarati and other North Indian families in Hobart often come together during Navratri for garba and dandiya raas, circling an image or lamp of the Goddess in colourful chaniya choli and kurtas. In a smaller city like Hobart, these nights are typically held in community halls, often on weekends.

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Durga Puja and Bijoya

For Bengali families, the heart of the season is Durga Pujo: the idol of Durga with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, pushpanjali, the rhythm of the dhak, cultural evenings and bhog shared after the puja. The festival closes with Bijoya, when married women play Sindoor Khela and everyone exchanges greetings and sweets.

Dashain in the Nepali community

Hobart has one of Australia's fastest-growing Nepali communities, and for them this is Dashain, the biggest festival of the year. Jamara (barley shoots) is sown on the first day of Navratri, and on Vijaya Dashami elders give tika and jamara to younger family members with their blessings. Families often visit one another over several days.

Golu, Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja

Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayali families may set up a Golu (Bommai Kolu or Bombe Habba) display of dolls on odd-numbered steps and invite friends over to sing and share sundal. Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja are kept near the end of Navratri, and on Vijayadashami Kerala and South Indian families mark Vidyarambham, when small children write their first letters. Telangana families may also celebrate Bathukamma with flower stacks and songs.

Ramlila and Ravan Dahan

Large North Indian-style Ravan Dahan events are rare in Hobart. Where groups stage Ramlila scenes or a symbolic effigy, any burning or fireworks need permission from the authorities.

Dussehra puja at home in Hobart

Do the main Vijayadashami worship on Wednesday 21 October, in the afternoon. The ideal time is the Vijay Muhurat, 3:10 PM – 4:04 PM, and the wider Aparahna runs from 2:16 PM – 4:58 PM. Both fall well inside the Dashami tithi.

  • Aparajita puja: draw an eight-petalled lotus with rice or kumkum, invoke Goddess Aparajita, the undefeated form of the Devi, and offer flowers, akshat and a lamp, praying for victory over obstacles.
  • Shami puja: if you can find a Shami plant, or keep a few leaves, worship it and exchange the leaves as 'gold' with family and friends, a custom loved in Maharashtra and Karnataka. In Nepali and some North Indian homes, jamara takes its place.
  • Ayudha / Shastra puja: clean and decorate tools, cars, bikes, laptops and books, apply a tilak and offer flowers. Many South Indian families keep books and instruments for Saraswati Puja and take them back on Vijayadashami.
  • Vidyarambham: a child traces 'Om' or the first letters of the alphabet in a plate of rice with a parent or elder guiding the finger.
  • Simple vidhi: bathe, light a diya, offer Ganesha a short prayer, then worship Durga or Aparajita, recite the Ram Raksha Stotra or Durga stotras, offer sweets, and finish with aarti. Begin any new venture or purchase during the Vijay Muhurat if you can.

For the full story of Rama's victory and Durga's triumph over Mahishasura, and a detailed puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

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Practical tips for Dussehra in Hobart

  • Weekday festival: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October 2026 are ordinary working and school days in Tasmania. Most community programmes are likely to be held on the nearest weekend, so plan your home puja for Wednesday and the celebrations around the announcements.
  • Fireworks and effigies: rules on fireworks and open fires are set by Tasmanian authorities and local councils, and spring can bring fire restrictions. Never burn an effigy or set off fireworks without checking the current rules.
  • Getting there: Bridgewater is around half an hour's drive north of the Hobart CBD. Car-pooling helps on busy festival days, and Metro Tasmania buses serve the northern suburbs.
  • Spring weather: Hobart evenings in late October can be cool and windy, so bring a warm layer to outdoor or hall events, even with sunset at 7:40 PM.
  • Calling India: India celebrates on Tuesday 20 October, a day ahead of Hobart, so a video call lets you share the festival with family there.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Hobart?

Wednesday 21 October 2026. In India Vijayadashami is on Tuesday 20 October, but in Hobart the Dashami tithi only begins at 6:20 PM on Tuesday evening, after that day's afternoon, so the full Dashami afternoon falls on Wednesday 21 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Hobart on Dussehra 2026?

3:10 PM – 4:04 PM on Wednesday 21 October 2026, Hobart local time (AEDT), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. It sits inside the Aparahna (2:16 PM – 4:58 PM) and well within the Dashami tithi, which runs until 7:41 PM that evening.

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

The Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST on 20 October. Tasmania is on daylight saving time (UTC+11) in October, five and a half hours ahead of India, so in Hobart Dashami begins on Tuesday evening. Vijayadashami needs Dashami in the afternoon, which first happens on Wednesday 21 October.

Is there a Hindu temple in Hobart?

Yes. The Hindu Society of Tasmania runs the Shree Ganesha Temple and cultural centre in Bridgewater, in Hobart's northern suburbs. Check the society's website or social pages for opening times and Navratri programmes.

Where is Durga Puja celebrated in Hobart?

The Royal Bengal Club Tasmania brings together Bengali families across the state and hosts Durga Pujo. Diaspora Durga Pujas follow their committee's schedule, which is often set around weekends, so check the club's announcements for 2026.

Can I use India's Vijay Muhurat in Hobart?

No. Muhurat windows depend on local sunrise and sunset, so India's times cannot be converted into Hobart time. Use the Hobart times on this page or follow your temple's calendar.