Dasara 2026 Maharashtra District-Wise Guide

Quick answer: Dasara (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Maharashtra is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. This page goes district by district through temple Navratri festivals, Dasara gatherings and events we could verify, from Tuljapur and Kolhapur to Mahur and Vani.

Last updated: 10 October 2026. This page covers all 36 districts of Maharashtra, with the 2026 arrangements and events we could verify (35 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 Maharashtra guide. This page is the district-by-district companion.

Dussehra 2026 dates in Maharashtra

Ghatasthapana: Sunday 11 October 2026.
Durga Ashtami: Monday 19 October 2026.
Dasara / Vijayadashami: Tuesday 20 October 2026: Seemollanghan, Shami and Apta puja, and the exchange of Apta leaves as 'sona'.

How Maharashtra celebrates

In Maharashtra, Navratri centres on the Goddess's great temples, including Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur, Mahalakshmi (Ambabai) at Kolhapur, Renuka at Mahur and Saptashrungi at Vani. On Dasara, families worship the Shami and Apta trees, cross the village boundary (Seemollanghan), and give Apta leaves to elders as 'sona' (gold). Nagpur also marks Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, a Buddhist observance, on Vijayadashami.

Maharashtra 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.

Mumbai City

Headquarters: Mumbai.

Sharadiya Navratrotsav, Shri Mahalakshmi Temple (Mumbai (Mahalaxmi); Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Bhulabhai Desai Marg; 11-20 Oct 2026 (Ashwin Shuddha Pratipada to Vijayadashami)). Organiser: Shri Mahalakshmi Temple administration. NavShakti (Free Press Journal Marathi), news report.

Mumbai Suburban

Headquarters: Bandra (East).

Ramlila (12th year) (Ghatkopar East; Acharya Atre Maidan, Ghatkopar East; Navratri 2026 (exact dates not stated)). Organiser: Sankalp Seva Trust. Esakal (Sakal), news report.

Thane

Headquarters: Thane.

Navratri is celebrated at Durgadi Fort in Kalyan West, which draws devotees from across Thane district. (source)

Navratri/Dussehra traffic restrictions near Durgadi Fort and Durgamata temple (Kalyan (West); Durgadi Fort / Durgamata temple area, Kalyan; 11-20 Oct 2026; daily 4 pm to midnight for heavy vehicles and private buses). Organiser: Thane City Traffic Police. Loksatta, news report.
Navratri traffic changes at Tembhi Naka (Thane; Tembhi Naka, Thane; 4-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Thane City Traffic Police. Loksatta, news report.

Palghar

Headquarters: Palghar.

Navratrotsav, Shri Jarimari Mata temple (Umelman, Vasai; Shri Jarimari Mata temple, Umelman; 11-19 Oct 2026; darshan 7 am-10 pm, maha-aarti 7.30 am and 7.30 pm). Pudhari, news report.

Raigad

Headquarters: Alibag.

No public 2026 announcement found in the sources we checked on 10 October 2026. Check the district administration's website, the municipal body and the district editions of local newspapers closer to the festival.

Ratnagiri

Headquarters: Ratnagiri.

Navratrotsav and Seemollanghan, Shri Ramvardayini Devasthan (Nirbade / Khandat-Pali (Chiplun) and Kadvali (Khed); Shri Ramvardayini temple; 11 Oct 2026 ghatasthapana; 20 Oct 2026 Dasara and Seemollanghan). Organiser: Shri Ramvardayini Devasthan Mandal. Ratnagiri Khabardar, news report.
Dasara Utsav, Shri Vadchai Mata (gramdevata) (Raypatan, Rajapur taluka; Shri Vadchai temple, Raypatan; 11-20 Oct 2026). Ratnagiri Khabardar, news report.

Sindhudurg

Headquarters: Sindhudurgnagari (Oros).

Pune

Headquarters: Pune.

On Dasara the palkhi of Shri Chatushrungi Devi in Pune is taken out in procession for Seemollanghan with traditional instruments and dhol-tasha groups. (source)

Navratrotsav and Dasara Seemollanghan palkhi, Shri Chatushrungi Devi (Pune (Senapati Bapat Road); Shri Chatushrungi Devi temple; 11-20 Oct 2026; 20 Oct: Navchandi hom 9 am, palkhi leaves for Seemollanghan 5 pm). Organiser: Shri Chatushrungi Devi temple. Divya Marathi, news report.
Public Navratrotsav, Shri Mahalakshmi Temple Sarasbaug (Pune (Sarasbaug); Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Sarasbaug; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Shri Mahalakshmi Mandir, Sarasbaug. Divya Marathi, news report.
Navratri traffic restrictions near major temples (Pune city; Tambdi Jogeshwari, Chatushrungi, Bhavani Mata (Bhavani Peth) and Sarasbaug Mahalakshmi temple areas; From 11 Oct 2026; special diversion at Sarasbaug 12 Oct 5-7 am). Organiser: Pune Traffic Police. Pune Pulse, news report.
Sharadiya Navratrotsav, Aai Ekvira Devi (Karla-Vehergaon, Maval taluka; Ekvira Devi temple on Karla gad; From 11 Oct 2026; temple open 4 am-11 pm daily, 24 hours on Durgashtami and Mahanavami). Organiser: Shri Ekvira Devasthan Trust. Pudhari, news report.
Shamipujan and chhabina procession on Dasara, Shri Waghjai Devi (Khandala (Lonavala); Shri Waghjai Devi temple; 20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Waghjai Devi devasthan. Esakal, news report.

Kolhapur

Headquarters: Kolhapur.

A Shahi (royal) Dasara has been celebrated in Kolhapur since the time of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. (source)

The Karveer Nivasini Ambabai temple in Kolhapur is regarded as one of Maharashtra's three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas. (source)

Kolhapur Dasara Mahotsav (Shahi Dasara) 2026 - scaled down (Historic Dasara Chowk ground (inauguration); Inauguration 11 Oct 2026; through Navratri). Organiser: Kolhapur district administration. Saamana, news report.
Sharadiya Navratrotsav, Karveer Nivasini Shri Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple (Kolhapur; Ghatasthapana Sun 11 Oct 2026; 10-day festival). Organiser: Temple authorities (devasthan). Times of India, news report.

Sangli

Headquarters: Sangli.

Satara

Headquarters: Satara.

Solapur

Headquarters: Solapur.

Nashik

Headquarters: Nashik.

An annual Kalikadevi Navaratra fair is held at the Kalika temple at Mumbai Naka in Nashik. (source)

Ashwin Navratri yatra, Shri Saptashrungi Devi (Saptashrung Gad (Vani), Kalwan taluka; Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi temple; 11-20 Oct 2026 (Kojagiri Purnima 25-26 Oct); temple open 24 hours till Kojagiri). Organiser: Shri Saptashrungi Nivasini Devi Trust. Deshdoot, news report.
Private vehicle ban on Saptashrung Gad (Gad ghat road; 8-20 Oct and 25-26 Oct 2026). Organiser: Administration (Kalwan sub-division). Maharashtra Times, news report.
Kalikadevi Navratri yatra traffic restrictions (Nashik (Mumbai Naka) and Bhagur; Kalikadevi temple, Mumbai Naka; Renukadevi temple, Bhagur; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Nashik City Traffic Police. Lokmat Times, news report.

Dhule

Headquarters: Dhule.

Navratrotsav, Shri Chamundamata temple (Dhule (Deopur, Hatti Doh, Panjhara riverbank); Navratri 2026 (dates not stated)). Organiser: Shri Chamundamata Dharmaday Trust (Navratrotsav committee). Esakal, news report.

Jalgaon

Headquarters: Jalgaon.

Ravan Dahan has been held for many years on Dasara at the Harita-Sarita confluence in Yaval town. (source)

Ravan Dahan on Vijayadashami (Yaval; Harita-Sarita river confluence opposite Shri Maharshi Vyas temple; Vijayadashami 2026 (20 Oct)). Divya Marathi, news report.

Nandurbar

Headquarters: Nandurbar.

Ahilyanagar

Headquarters: Ahilyanagar.

Tuljabhavani of Tuljapur makes her post-Dasara Seemollanghan (shilangan) in a palang palkhi traditionally brought from Ahilyanagar (Nagar). (source)

Navratrotsav, Shri Mohatadevi Gad (Mohate, Pathardi taluka; Shri Mohatadevi temple; Ghatasthapana 11 Oct 2026, 11 am; nine-day festival). Organiser: Shri Jagdamba Devi Public Trust (devasthan committee). I Love Nagar, news report.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Headquarters: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The Tuljabhavani temple at Karnapura is described as the city's presiding deity with a traditional Navratri yatra. (source)

Navratrotsav and yatra, Shri Tuljabhavani temple Karnapura (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Karnapura); Shri Tuljabhavani temple, Karnapura; Navratri 2026 (from 11 Oct)). Pudhari, news report.

Beed

Headquarters: Beed.

Navratra Mahotsav, Shri Yogeshwari Devi (Ambajogai; Shri Yogeshwari Devi temple; From Sun 11 Oct 2026; ghatasthapana 10 am). Organiser: Deval Samiti (temple committee). Hindusthan Samachar Marathi, news report.
Sharadiya Navratra Mahotsav, Shri Tuljabhavani (Khasbag Devi) temple (Beed; Khasbag Devi temple; 11-25 Oct 2026). Pudhari, news report.

Jalna

Headquarters: Jalna.

Sharadiya Navratra Mahotsav and yatra, Shri Matsyodari Devi (Ambad; Shri Matsyodari Devi temple; From 11 Oct 2026). Organiser: Devi Sansthan with administration. Pudhari, news report.

Nanded

Headquarters: Nanded.

The Renukadevi shrine at Mahurgad is counted among the three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra as a full peetha. (source)

Navratrotsav, Shri Renukadevi (Mahur (Mahurgad); Shri Renukadevi temple, Mahurgad; From 11 Oct 2026; temple open 5 am-10 pm). Esakal, news report.

Parbhani

Headquarters: Parbhani.

Shri Durgamata Daud (Parbhani; Various parts of the city; From Sun 11 Oct 2026, daily 6 am through Navratri). Esakal, news report.

Hingoli

Headquarters: Hingoli.

Latur

Headquarters: Latur.

Navratri Mahotsav, Durgamata Navratra Mahotsav Tarun Mandal (Phule Nagar) (Ahmedpur; Phule Nagar, Ahmedpur; Navratri 2026 (dates not stated)). Organiser: Durgamata Navratra Mahotsav Tarun Mandal. Hindusthan Samachar Marathi, news report.
Navratri Devi pratishthapana by city mandals (Latur; From 11 Oct 2026). Organiser: Various mandals. Esakal, news report.

Dharashiv

Headquarters: Dharashiv.

At Tuljapur, Tuljabhavani's Navratri features nightly chhabina processions and a Seemollanghan ceremony after Dasara, after which the goddess rests on a palang before re-installation. (source)

Sharadiya Navratrotsav, Shri Tuljabhavani Mata (Tuljapur; Shri Tuljabhavani temple; Ghatasthapana 11 Oct 2026; 19 Oct Durgashtami; 20 Oct Mahanavami/Dasara rituals, ghatotthapan and evening Shamipujan at town boundary; 21 Oct dawn Seemollanghan (shilangan) in palang palkhi; 26 Oct re-installation). Pudhari, news report.
Navratri arrangements at Tuljapur (11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Dharashiv district administration. Times of India, news report.

Amravati

Headquarters: Amravati.

Navratrotsav and Ambadevi yatra (Amravati; Ambadevi temple area; road Sabanpura Khidki to Gandhi Chowk closed to vehicles; parking at Nehru Maidan, Oswal Bhavan, Mudholkar Peth ground; From 11 Oct 2026; ten-day yatra). Divya Marathi, news report.

Akola

Headquarters: Akola.

Buldhana

Headquarters: Buldhana.

Washim

Headquarters: Washim.

Yavatmal

Headquarters: Yavatmal.

Nagpur

Headquarters: Nagpur.

The RSS holds an annual Vijayadashami Utsav with Shastra Puja at its Nagpur headquarters, where a guest and the RSS chief address the gathering each year. (source)

Deekshabhoomi marks the mass conversion to Buddhism led by Dr B.R. Ambedkar on Ashoka Vijayadashami, 14 October 1956; Dhammachakra Pravartan Din is observed there on Vijayadashami (a Buddhist observance). (source)

Dhammachakra Pravartan Din (Buddhist observance on Ashoka Vijayadashami) (Nagpur; Deekshabhoomi; accommodation at Bezonbag and Untkhana grounds; 20 Oct 2026 (domes/shelters 18-22 Oct)). Organiser: NMC, district administration and Social Welfare Department (arrangements). The Live Nagpur, news report.
Ashwin Navratra Mahotsav 2026, Shri Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Sansthan (Koradi; Shri Mahalaxmi Jagdamba temple, Koradi; 11-20 Oct 2026). Organiser: Shri Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Sansthan. Nagpur Today, news report.
11-day Navratri festival with Dussehra Milan (Nagpur; 11-21 Oct 2026; Dussehra Milan 20 Oct; Visarjan 21 Oct). Organiser: Rani Laxmibai Durga Utsav Mandal. Nagpur Today, news report.
Ashwin Navratrotsav, Aai Tuljabhavani Devasthan (Nagpur (Manish Nagar); Aai Tuljabhavani Devasthan, Manish Nagar; 11-21 Oct 2026; Kanyabhoj 18 Oct; Mahaprasad 21 Oct). Organiser: Aai Tuljabhavani Devasthan. Tarun Bharat, news report.

Bhandara

Headquarters: Bhandara.

Chandrapur

Headquarters: Chandrapur.

Gadchiroli

Headquarters: Gadchiroli.

Gondia

Headquarters: Gondia.

Wardha

Headquarters: Wardha.

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 Dasara 2026 in Maharashtra?

Tuesday 20 October 2026, according to Drik Panchang.

Why are Apta leaves exchanged on Dasara?

Apta leaves are exchanged as 'sona' (gold), a symbol of prosperity and goodwill, after the Shami and Apta puja on Vijayadashami.

What is Seemollanghan?

Crossing the village or town boundary on Vijayadashami, a traditional act of setting out victoriously that many communities still mark.

Which temples hold big Navratri festivals in Maharashtra?

Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur, Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, Renuka at Mahur and Saptashrungi at Vani are among the best known. Check each temple's official notices for 2026 timings.

Editor's note

Editor's note (10 October 2026): We built this district guide from pages we opened on 10 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.