Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026

The significance of Dussehra / Vijayadashami

Dussehra / Vijayadashami puja vidhi

1. 1Bathe, and if a Navratri fast was kept, complete the parana after the Navami tithi ends.
2. 2Clean the tools, books, instruments or vehicles that are to be worshipped and arrange them together.
3. 3Apply haldi and kumkum, offer akshat and flowers, and place a garland on them. This is ayudha puja.
4. 4In aparahna kaal, perform Aparajita puja facing north-east: draw an eight-petalled lotus, invoke Aparajita, and ask for a victory that does not have to be defended.
5. 5Offer shami leaves, or worship a shami tree if one is near.
6. 6Take part in the Ravana dahan at dusk, or light a lamp at home at the same hour.
7. 7Begin, however briefly, whatever you have been waiting for a good day to begin.

Mantra

Vrat rules

• There is no prescribed fast on Dussehra; those who fasted through Navratri complete their parana on this day.
• The day is entirely auspicious — an undertaking begun on it needs no separate muhurat.
• Aparajita puja is performed in aparahna kaal, the afternoon window, facing north-east.
• Shami leaves are exchanged as a token of victory, following the Pandavas who recovered their weapons from a shami tree.
• Tools, instruments, vehicles and books are cleaned and worshipped rather than used on this day.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing its two meanings — in the north it marks Rama's victory over Ravana, in the east Durga's over Mahishasura; both are Vijayadashami.
• Missing the aparahna Vijaya muhurat, the day's auspicious window for starting new work, journeys or learning.
• Overlooking Shami puja and the exchange of Shami (apta) leaves, a core custom in the west and south.
• Treating it as the end of festivities — for many regions Dussehra opens the run-up to Diwali, twenty days later.

The vrat katha of Dussehra / Vijayadashami

Dussehra / Vijayadashami timeline

1. Nine nights of Navratri

   Vijayadashami is the tenth day — the culmination of the Goddess's nine-night battle with Mahishasura, or of the nine-day Ramlila.

2. Aparahna — the Vijaya muhurat

   The late-afternoon window held most auspicious for victory and for beginning any new venture; Aparajita and Shami are worshipped.

3. The burning / the immersion

   In the north, Ravana's effigy is burned at dusk; in the east, the Durga idols are carried to the water for visarjan.

4. Shami & Ayudha puja

   The Shami leaf is exchanged as gold, tools and weapons are worshipped (Ayudha Puja), and children may begin learning.

Famous places & temples

Interesting facts

• ◆The same day carries three great traditions — the Ramlila north, Durga Puja east, and the royal Dasara of Mysore.
• ◆The Vijaya muhurat of Vijayadashami is one of the year's most auspicious for beginning anything, no separate reckoning needed.
• ◆Shami puja recalls the Pandavas, who hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their exile and reclaimed them on this day.
• ◆Kullu Dussehra begins when the rest of India's ends, and Bastar's runs about seventy-five days — the two most unusual Dussehras.

Common questions