Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, was celebrated across India on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with Ravan Dahan events in cities and towns in the evening. It marks the end of Navratri and, for many families, the start of the festive season that leads up to Diwali. If you are planning a puja, a visit to a Ramlila ground or a small purchase on this day, here are the key timings and what the day means.
Luv Kush Ramleela at the Red Fort: watch the live stream
The Luv Kush Ramleela, one of Delhi’s best-known Ramlilas, is staged every year on the Red Fort ground and draws celebrities, ministers and large crowds. This year’s theme was “Respect for Women”. Actor Yami Gautam was scheduled to perform the symbolic Ravan Vadh, shooting the arrow at Ravan’s effigy, the committee’s president Arjun Kumar told reporters ahead of the event. The actor recently filmed a Ravan Vadh scene in her new film Nayyi Navelli.
Elsewhere in the capital, one broadcast showed a 30-foot cockroach effigy being burnt alongside Ravan, a nod to the satirical Cockroach Janta Party that has been in the news this month.
Ravan Dahan 2026: how Delhi celebrated
Effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna went up in flames across Delhi on Tuesday evening as Ramlila committees wrapped up their performances.
- Dwarka: President Smt. Droupadi Murmu attended the Dwarka Shri Ram Leela with Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, performed the aarti and released the arrow that set Ravan’s effigy alight. The effigies there were about 90 feet tall, according to reports.
- IP Extension: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi joined the Vijayadashami celebrations at the IP Extension Utsav Ground in east Delhi.
- Luv Kush Ramleela, Red Fort ground: Vice President Shri C P Radhakrishnan and Lieutenant Governor Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu attended, according to reports, and organisers said green crackers were used.
- Ludhiana, Punjab: an effigy representing drug abuse was set to be burnt alongside Ravan’s at a programme attended by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, according to reports.
Speaking at Dwarka, Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said that Ravan still exists in society in the form of arrogance, anger, violence against women and corruption, as reported by The Hans India.
Dussehra 2026: key timings
- Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Dashami tithi: from about 12:50 PM on October 20 to about 2:11 PM on October 21 (IST)
- Vijay Muhurat: early afternoon, roughly 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in North India; panchangs give slightly different windows, for example 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM for New Delhi
- Ravan Dahan time today: after sunset, from about 5:47 PM (Pradosh Kaal), usually between about 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM, depending on the local Ramlila committee
- West Bengal: Bijoya Dashami and Durga idol immersions fall on Wednesday, October 21, per the Kolkata calendar
Timings are based on published panchangs and vary by city. Check your local temple or Ramlila committee for exact times.
Why Dussehra is celebrated
The festival has two well-known stories behind it. In North and Central India, it marks the day Lord Rama defeated Ravana, which is why giant effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are burned after the Ramlila plays end. In the East and parts of the South, Vijayadashami marks Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, and it is the last day of Durga Puja. Both stories carry the same idea: the victory of good over evil.
How different regions mark the day
- Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and much of North India: Ramlila performances end with Ravan Dahan at large grounds.
- Mysuru, Karnataka: the Mysuru Dasara procession, with decorated elephants, is one of the best-known events of the day.
- West Bengal, Odisha and Assam: Durga idols are immersed, and married women take part in Sindoor Khela.
- Kullu, Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and continues for about a week.
- Maharashtra and Karnataka: many families perform Ayudha Puja, honouring tools, books and vehicles, and exchange apta leaves as a symbol of gold.
Is Dussehra a good day to buy?
Many people consider Vijayadashami an auspicious day to start new work or buy vehicles, gold and homes. Car and two-wheeler dealers often see a rush of deliveries on this day. If you plan to buy, the same rules apply as on any other day: compare the final on-road price, read the loan or EMI terms carefully and do not stretch your budget only because the date is auspicious.
Planning festive spending? Read our Diwali shopping budget guide and our Dhanteras 2026 gold-buying guide.
Are banks and markets open today?
Dussehra is a bank holiday in most states, but the list differs from state to state, so check your bank’s branch notice. Online banking and UPI work as usual. For stock exchanges, check the NSE and BSE holiday list for 2026 before planning any trades.
Quick answers
Is Dussehra on October 20 or 21 in 2026? Most of India celebrates on Tuesday, October 20. In West Bengal, Bijoya Dashami falls on October 21.
What time is Ravan Dahan today? After sunset, usually between about 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM. The exact time is set by each local committee.
What is the Vijay Muhurat? It is a short window in the early afternoon considered auspicious for new beginnings, roughly 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in North India.
Questions to think about
- Should cities move towards eco-friendly effigies and smaller fireworks to cut air pollution?
- Do festive “auspicious day” offers push people to spend more than they planned?
- How can local Ramlila traditions attract younger audiences?
Sources: The Hans India, Oneindia, ANI and Outlook (October 20, 2026), the Luv Kush Ramlila Committee’s official YouTube stream, a Republic Bharat broadcast, official posts on X by the President of India, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, and published panchang timings from Shubh Panchang and Hindutone, and the Drik Panchang Kolkata calendar, as of October 20, 2026. Local timings may differ.
