Festivals · 2026

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026: The Computed Date, Tithi and Muhurat

By Dr. R.P. Sharma, Vedic astrologer since 1979 · timings computed on real sidereal positions

Why 20 October: Vijayadashami follows the aparahna-vyapini rule — the dashami must cover the afternoon. The tithi runs 20-10-2026 12:51 to 21-10-2026 14:12 IST: it covers the whole aparahna of the 20th, while by mid-afternoon on the 21st, ekadashi considerations begin. Hence Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October.

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. The governing tithi — Ashwina Shukla Dashami, the day of victory — runs from 20-10-2026 12:51 IST to 21-10-2026 14:12 IST, computed from the ephemeris with the Lahiri ayanamsa, the way a Panchang actually derives it. The observance follows aparahna (afternoon).

The nine nights preceding are covered in Sharad Navratri 2026.

How the day is kept

Shami and Aparajita puja, ayudha-vandana and the burning of Ravana mark the aparahna of Dashami — also counted among the year's few self-sufficient (abujha) muhurats for beginnings.

Why the tithi window matters more than the date

A Hindu festival is not a civil date; it is a tithi caught at a particular quality of time — aparahna (afternoon) here. When the tithi straddles two days, the rule decides the day, which is why two neighbouring calendars sometimes disagree while both cite the same sky. The window printed above is the actual astronomy; the rule applied to it is the tradition. Together they give you the answer the forwards never explain. For the method itself, see our muhurat & festivals guide.

Chandra Grahan 28 August 2026 Time in India: 06:54 AM IST

See also: Navratri 2026 worldwide — Ghatasthapana time in your city.

See also: August 28, 2026 Lunar Eclipse In India.

See also: Surya Grahan 2027 In India Date And Time.

See also: Rakhi 2026 Uk.