Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Indianapolis is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat for Indianapolis is 3:18 PM – 4:02 PM local time (Eastern Daylight Time), calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and the Dashami tithi runs in Indianapolis from 3:20 AM on Tuesday 20 October to 4:41 AM on Wednesday 21 October.

Editor's note (5 October 2026): Local timings on this page were calculated for Indianapolis (America/Indiana/Indianapolis, UTC-0400 on 20 October) from the Dashami tithi published by Drik Panchang, which runs from 12:50 PM IST on 20 October to 2:11 PM IST on 21 October in India. The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 daytime muhurtas, calculated by the Drik Panchang method for Indianapolis's own sunrise and sunset. We do not list 2026 event schedules, because temples and community groups announce these themselves.

Indianapolis and its suburbs, especially Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, Zionsville and Greenwood, are home to one of the fastest-growing Indian communities in the Midwest. Doctors, engineers and academics were among the early families, and they have since been joined by IT professionals, pharmaceutical and life-sciences workers, students and their families. Navratri in Central Indiana is a season of garba nights, Durga Puja, temple bhajans, Golu displays and family gatherings, and Dussehra caps those nine nights with the celebration of Rama's victory over Ravana and the Goddess's victory over Mahishasura.

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Dussehra 2026 dates and timings for Indianapolis

ObservanceIndianapolis (local time)
Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)Sunday 11 October 2026
Durga Ashtami and Maha NavamiMonday 19 October 2026 (in India; check your temple's calendar)
Dussehra / VijayadashamiTuesday 20 October 2026
Dashami tithi beginsTue 20 Oct, 3:20 AM
Dashami tithi endsWed 21 Oct, 4:41 AM
Vijay Muhurat (Drik Panchang method)3:18 PM – 4:02 PM
Aparahna2:35 PM – 4:46 PM
Sunset6:58 PM

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-0400). Indiana observes daylight saving time and the United States is still on it on 20 October, so these clock times already include it. Because the Dashami tithi begins well before dawn in Indianapolis and covers the full Aparahna, there is no doubt about the date: Vijayadashami is on Tuesday 20 October, and the Vijay Muhurat falls comfortably inside Dashami. In India, Navratri runs from 11 to 19 October 2026, with Ashtami and Navami sharing Monday 19 October.

Hindu temples in Indianapolis for Navratri & Dussehra

Central Indiana has a handful of established mandirs and a strong network of language and cultural associations, which together are the hub of festival life for the area:

  • Hindu Temple of Central Indiana – Far Eastside, Indianapolis. Opened in 2006 as Indiana's first traditional Hindu temple and later expanded with a large worship hall of many shrines, it serves families from every regional tradition.
  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Greenwood, south of Indianapolis. The Swaminarayan mandir, first established in 2005, is a focal point for the area's Gujarati community.
  • Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple – Fishers. Hamilton County's first Hindu temple, opened in 2025, serving the fast-growing northern suburbs.
  • Bengali Association of Indiana – Indianapolis area. Founded in 1985, it organises Saraswati Puja, Bengali New Year and its Durga Puja, sharing hosting of the Tri-State Durga Puja with Bengali groups in Ohio and Kentucky.
  • India Association of Indianapolis – Northwest side, Indianapolis. Established in 1968, it is the area's long-standing Indian cultural organisation.
  • Greater Indianapolis Telugu Association – Indianapolis area. The Telugu community's association since 1979.
  • Tamil Sangam of Central Indiana – Indianapolis area. A non-profit that promotes Tamil language and culture.

Temples and community groups usually announce Navratri garba, Durga Puja, Ramlila and Ravan Dahan programmes a few weeks ahead — check their websites/social pages. Typical programmes include daily Devi puja and aarti during Navratri, Durga Saptashati or Lalitha Sahasranama chanting, bhajan evenings, garba and dandiya nights, Saraswati puja and, on Vijayadashami, Vidyarambham for young children and a special evening aarti.

How Indianapolis celebrates Navratri and Dussehra

Garba and dandiya

Gujarati families, students and friends from every community come together for garba and dandiya raas during Navratri. In Central Indiana these nights are usually held in temple halls, school gyms, banquet halls and community centres, with dancers in chaniya choli and kediyu circling an image of Amba Mata. Most events are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, and popular ones may ask for passes in advance.

Durga Puja

Bengali families mark the season with Durga Puja, featuring the idol of Durga with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, the beat of the dhak, cultural programmes, anjali and bhog. In India, Bengal-tradition Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 according to Drik Panchang for Kolkata, but Durga Pujas in Indiana follow their own committee's schedule, which is often arranged around a weekend.

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Ramlila and Ravan Dahan

North Indian families remember the Ramayana on Dussehra with stories, bhajans and sometimes short children's plays of Rama's victory. Large outdoor effigy burnings are uncommon in Central Indiana, because burning effigies and setting off fireworks need permission from local authorities, so any Ravan Dahan tends to be small or symbolic.

Golu, Bathukamma and Ayudha Puja

Indianapolis has sizeable Telugu and Tamil communities. Tamil and Telugu families set up Golu (Bommai Kolu) displays of dolls on stepped shelves and invite friends for haldi-kumkum and sundal. Telangana families celebrate Bathukamma with floral stacks and songs, and many South Indian households observe Saraswati puja and Ayudha puja at the end of Navratri, placing books, instruments, tools and laptops before the Goddess.

Dussehra puja at home

On Tuesday 20 October, try to perform the Vijayadashami rituals during the Vijay Muhurat, 3:18 PM – 4:02 PM, or at least within the Aparahna, 2:35 PM – 4:46 PM. A simple home vidhi:

  • Aparajita puja: draw an eight-petalled lotus with kumkum or rice flour, invoke Goddess Aparajita in the centre, and offer flowers, akshata, a lamp and naivedya.
  • Shami puja: worship a Shami plant if you have one, or Shami leaves (some families use apta leaves), and exchange the leaves as 'gold' with family and friends.
  • Ayudha / Shastra puja: clean and decorate tools, vehicles, books, musical instruments and laptops, apply tilak and offer a flower to each.
  • Vidyarambham: in South Indian homes, children write their first letters, often 'Om' or 'Hari Sri', in a tray of rice with the help of an elder or teacher.
  • Close the Navratri kalash: if you set up Ghatasthapana on 11 October, do the final aarti, immerse the sprouted jowar or barley respectfully and distribute prasad.

For the full puja procedure, mantras and the stories behind the festival, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Practical tips for Dussehra in Indianapolis

  • It's a weekday: Tuesday 20 October and Wednesday 21 October are working and school days. Many temples and community groups hold their main celebrations on the nearest weekend, and the Vijay Muhurat falls during work hours, so plan a short break or a quick puja at home.
  • Fireworks and effigies: rules on fireworks and effigy burning are set by state and local authorities, so check your city or town's rules before planning anything at home.
  • Getting there: temples and venues across Marion and Hamilton counties are easiest to reach by car, and the drive between the northern suburbs and the far east or south side can take a while. Parking fills up on festival weekends, so arrive early or carpool.
  • Weather: late-October evenings in Central Indiana can be cool and damp, so bring a warm layer for outdoor events.
  • Temple etiquette: dress modestly, remove footwear where asked and follow each temple's guidance on photography.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Indianapolis?

Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Dashami tithi begins at 3:20 AM on Tuesday 20 October in Indianapolis (Eastern Daylight Time) and covers the whole afternoon, so Vijayadashami is observed on the 20th, the same day as in India.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Indianapolis on Dussehra 2026?

3:18 PM – 4:02 PM local time on Tuesday 20 October 2026, calculated by the Drik Panchang method for Indianapolis. The wider Aparahna period is 2:35 PM – 4:46 PM. This is the traditional time for Shami puja, Aparajita puja and starting new work.

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

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

Which temples in Indianapolis celebrate Navratri and Dussehra?

The Hindu Temple of Central Indiana on the city's far east side is the area's largest and oldest traditional temple. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood serves the Swaminarayan community, and the Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple in Fishers serves Hamilton County. Check each temple's website or social pages for its 2026 programme.

When is Durga Puja and Sindoor Khela for the Bengali community in Indianapolis?

In India, Bijoya Dashami and Sindoor Khela fall on Wednesday 21 October 2026 according to Drik Panchang for Kolkata. The Bengali Association of Indiana organises Durga Puja locally, and its puja follows the committee's own schedule, so check its announcements.

Is there Ravan Dahan in Indianapolis?

Large Ravan Dahan events are uncommon in Central Indiana. Any effigy burning or fireworks needs permission from local authorities, so check temple and community announcements for 2026 plans.