Dasara 2026 (Vijayadashami): date, puja time, story and how to celebrate

1The story behind Dasara

The name says it: Vijaya means victory, and Dasha-hara is read as "the one who removes the ten", the ten heads of Ravana. Three stories meet on this day.

Rama's victory over Ravana

In the Ramayana, Rama fights Ravana in Lanka to bring Sita home and wins on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina. That is why North India stages the Ramlila through Navaratri and burns effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna at dusk on Dussehra.

Durga's victory over Mahishasura

In the Devi Mahatmya, part of the Markandeya Purana, the Goddess battles the buffalo demon Mahishasura for nine nights and slays him on the tenth day. Navaratri honours her nine forms; Vijayadashami celebrates the victory, and in Bengal the Durga idols are immersed that day.

The Pandavas and the Shami tree

In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas hide their weapons in a Shami tree before their year in disguise at King Virata's court. When the year ends, Arjuna takes his bow Gandiva back from the tree and wins. Tradition places that day on Vijayadashami, which is why Telugu and Kannada families worship the Shami tree and their own tools on Dasara.

2How to celebrate at home, in India or abroad

1. Navaratri (Oct 11–19): light a lamp each evening; read Lalita Sahasranama or the Devi Mahatmya if that is your family custom; set up a Golu or join your local Bathukamma gathering.
2. Saddula Bathukamma (Oct 18): stack flowers in rings (marigolds and chrysanthemums work well abroad), sing Bathukamma songs, and immerse the stack in water at dusk. Make the "saddulu", flavoured rice dishes such as pulihora and daddojanam.
3. Ayudha Puja (Oct 19 in India and abroad): clean your tools, laptop, car and books; apply turmeric and kumkum; place books and instruments before Saraswati and rest them for the day.
4. Dasara (Oct 20): do Shami puja in the afternoon, ideally in the Vijaya muhurta. No Shami tree nearby? Many families use Shami leaves or a picture from the temple. Offer the leaves, say the Shami verse below, and give them to elders as "gold" for their blessings.
5. Start something new: Vijayadashami is a favourite day for a child's Aksharabhyasam, a new course or a new venture. Find the time with Global Panchang → My Day → Muhurtam.

Shami verse (traditional, recited at Shami puja):

शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी ।
अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी ॥
Shamī shamayate pāpaṃ, shamī shatru-vināshinī; arjunasya dhanurdhārī, rāmasya priyadarshinī.

Meaning: the Shami removes sin and destroys enemies; it held Arjuna's bow and was dear to Rama.

3Checklist: what you need

10 items

• Durga / Devi picture and the books, tools and vehicle keys for Ayudha puja
• Turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood, akshata
• Flowers and a garland; mango-leaf thoranam for the door
• Shami (jammi) leaves, or the tree nearby for Shami puja
• Lemons and a pumpkin (for vehicle puja, if your family does)
• Agarbatti, camphor, ghee lamp
• Naivedyam: sweets, fruits, payasam
• Coconut and betel leaves
• New clothes
• A notebook and pen for Vidyarambham (for small children)

4A priest, or do it yourself

▶How to do Dussehra puja at home · indiontvnews · YouTube

A video by another channel, added after our review. If your family’s custom differs, follow it.

5Puja items near you

6Dasara puja time by city

Dashami tithi: India Tue, Oct 20, 12:51 PM → Wed, Oct 21, 2:12 PM · US Eastern Tue, Oct 20, 3:21 AM → Wed, Oct 21, 4:42 AM · US Central Tue, Oct 20, 2:21 AM → Wed, Oct 21, 3:42 AM · US Pacific Tue, Oct 20, 12:21 AM → Wed, Oct 21, 1:42 AM · London Tue, Oct 20, 8:21 AM → Wed, Oct 21, 9:42 AM · Sydney Tue, Oct 20, 6:21 PM → Wed, Oct 21, 7:42 PM.

Your city isn't listed? Open Global Panchang and pick it; every time is worked out for your own sunrise and sunset.

Vijayadashami puja time in your city

Each city page has every day of the festival with local times, and the dates in India.

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