Dussehra and Durga Puja 2026 in Odisha: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Cuttack's Silver Pandals and Puri

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Odisha is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Navaratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October (Drik Panchang, India). Vijay Muhurat: Bhubaneswar 1:27 to 2:14 PM, Cuttack 1:27 to 2:13 PM and Puri 1:27 to 2:14 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method). Some Durga Puja committees follow Bengal-style dates; see the reference calendar below.

District by district: for 2026 events, arrangements and traditions in every district, see our district-wise Dussehra 2026 guide.

In Odisha, the autumn festival season is Durga Puja and Dussehra together. Cuttack, the old capital, is famous across India for pandals decorated in dazzling silver filigree; Bhubaneswar's pujas have grown into a major celebration of the new capital; and in Puri, the Goddess is worshipped within the great temple of Lord Jagannath. Odisha's traditions have their own character, distinct from Bengal's, even where the two share rituals. This guide covers the 2026 dates, Vijay Muhurat and what makes the festival Odia.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Because the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST on 20 October and covers the afternoon, the all-India Vijayadashami is Tuesday 20 October.

Durga Puja dates: the Bengal-tradition reference

Durga Puja committees in Odisha fix their ritual days by the Odia panjika and their own tradition, and some follow the Bengal reckoning, in which Maha Navami and Dashami fall a day later than the all-India dates in 2026. As a Bengal-tradition reference, here is the Drik Panchang Durga Puja calendar for Kolkata:

This is a reference, not the Odisha calendar. Check the schedule announced by your local puja committee or priest, especially for immersion days, which are set by committees and the local administration.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Odisha cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon, traditionally used for Aparajita and Shami puja, worship of weapons and tools, beginning new work or setting out on a journey. Timings for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

All three windows fall after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST. For Sambalpur, Berhampur, Rourkela or other towns, check a panchang set for that town.

Cuttack: the silver city's Durga Puja

Cuttack is renowned for its silver filigree, or tarakasi, a craft in which fine silver wire is twisted and soldered into lace-like patterns. During Durga Puja, this craft is on public display: several of the city's pandals are known for their chandi medha, silver decorations and backdrops framing the Goddess, and some have added gold work, known as suna medha. The silver medha are often reused and added to over the years, and seeing them is one of the main reasons visitors come to Cuttack at Puja time.

Beyond the silver, Cuttack's puja has a strong neighbourhood character, with community pujas across the old city's lanes. Pandal details and timings are set by each committee, and immersion arrangements are announced by the administration, so check local announcements for 2026.

Bhubaneswar and across the state

Bhubaneswar's Durga Puja has grown steadily, with pandals in many neighbourhoods and an atmosphere of food stalls, lights and family outings. Across Odisha, from Sambalpur and Rourkela in the west to Berhampur in the south, Durga Puja is celebrated in community pandals and Devi temples. In some places, Dussehra evening also includes Ravana Podi, the burning of a Ravana effigy, organised by local committees.

Puri: the Goddess in Jagannath's temple

In Puri, the Goddess is worshipped within the Jagannath temple complex itself. Goddess Vimala, whose shrine stands in the complex and who is revered as one of the Shakti Peethas, is specially worshipped during the autumn Navaratri season, following the temple's own ritual calendar. Navaratri and Dussehra rituals are performed by the temple's servitors according to long-standing tradition. For any darshan or visiting arrangements, check official announcements from the temple administration. Puri town also has its own community Durga Pujas.

Odia customs at Dussehra

• Durga worship: families visit pandals and Devi temples through the last days of Navaratri, and many keep fasts or vegetarian food.
• Ayudha and Shastra Puja: tools, vehicles and books are worshipped on Navami in many homes and workplaces.
• Aparajita puja: on Vijayadashami afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Visiting elders: Dussehra is a day for blessings and sweets with family.
• Kumar Purnima: the full-moon festival that follows, especially celebrated by young girls in Odisha.

For Odia families abroad

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Bhubaneswar's Vijay Muhurat into your local time zone.
• Odia and Bengali associations abroad usually hold Durga Puja over the nearest weekend. Check their 2026 schedules.
• Share photos or video calls of Cuttack's chandi medha with children, and talk about Cuttack's silver filigree craft.
• Call elders on Dussehra for their blessings.

For the neighbouring traditions, see our Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal guide; for the meaning of Vijayadashami, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Share the Vijayadashami 2026 blessing

For Hindus in Odisha, Dussehra arrives wrapped in the glow of Durga Puja, from Cuttack's silver pandals to Maa Vimala's shrine in Puri. As commonly told, Maa Durga triumphed over Mahishasura and Lord Rama over Ravana, and light overcame darkness. On Vijayadashami we carry that victory into our homes by seeking blessings and sharing sweets. Choose a message below and send a heartfelt Dussehra blessing to your family and elders today.

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 Maa Durga's blessings fill our home with peace, love and togetherness, and may light always guide our path. Share on WhatsApp

Pranam Bapa and Maa! 🙏 On this Vijayadashami I seek your blessings and pray that the Divine Mother keeps you healthy, peaceful and happy always. Share on WhatsApp

Happy Dussehra, friend! May this Vijayadashami help you overcome every obstacle, and may the year ahead shine like a silver pandal with joy. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

Warm Vijayadashami wishes to you and your family. May this festival of victory bring fresh energy, clarity and success to the work we do together. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Maa Durga! 🌺 From our home in Odisha, may the Mother who conquered Mahishasura protect your family and fill your heart with courage and grace. Share on WhatsApp

Jai Shri Ram! 🏹 May Lord Rama's victory of truth over Ravana guide your family, and may the blessings of Jagannath's land of Odisha be with you always. Share on WhatsApp

A short Vijayadashami prayer

Maa Durga, Mother of strength and compassion, and Lord Rama, protector of dharma, on this Vijayadashami I bow before you with a humble heart. Please give me the courage to face my fears, the strength to do what is right and the wisdom to live with kindness. Keep my family free of negativity, anger and discord, and let the light of your blessings stay in our home through every season.

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

Also read: Cuttack Durga Puja 2026.

Also read: Famous temples in Odisha: source-checked guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Odisha?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Odisha is on Tuesday 20 October. Navaratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October (Drik Panchang, India).

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri?

On Tuesday 20 October the Vijay Muhurat is 1:27 to 2:14 PM in Bhubaneswar, 1:27 to 2:13 PM in Cuttack and 1:27 to 2:14 PM in Puri (local time, IST). For other towns, check a panchang set for that town.

What are the Bengal-style Durga Puja dates for 2026?

On the Kolkata calendar, Maha Ashtami is Monday 19 October, Maha Navami is Tuesday 20 October and Bijoya Dashami is Wednesday 21 October. Odisha committees fix their own days, so check your local puja committee's schedule.

What is chandi medha in Cuttack?

Chandi medha are silver filigree decorations and backdrops that frame the Goddess in several of Cuttack's Durga Puja pandals, made with the city's famous tarakasi craft. Some pandals also add gold work, known as suna medha.

How is Navaratri celebrated in Puri?

In Puri, the Goddess is worshipped within the Jagannath temple complex. Goddess Vimala, revered as one of the Shakti Peethas, is specially worshipped during autumn Navaratri, following the temple's own ritual calendar.

What is Ravana Podi?

Ravana Podi is the burning of a Ravana effigy on Dussehra evening, organised by local committees in some places in Odisha. Check local announcements for 2026 programmes.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. All-India festival dates are from Drik Panchang for India; the Bengal-tradition Durga Puja calendar is Drik Panchang's calendar for Kolkata and is given only as a reference; and the Vijay Muhurat timings for Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri are calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We have not named individual pandals or listed timings, immersion schedules or Puri temple ritual times because these are announced by committees, the administration and the temple each year. Temple timings change, so check official sources.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal
• Dussehra 2026 in Andhra Pradesh
• Dussehra 2026 in Chhattisgarh
• Dussehra 2026 in Jharkhand
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar