Vijayadashami 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October, the tenth day after the nine nights of Sharad Navratri.
Known across North India as Dussehra, it is the day Lord Rama defeated Ravana and the day Maa Durga’s battle with Mahishasura came to an end. After nine nights of fasting, prayer and turning inward, the tenth day asks something simple of us: to carry that discipline forward as a quiet victory over our own ten heads of ego, anger and attachment.
This guide brings together the date and muhurat, the meaning behind the day, how families observe it, and how devotees can mark it with Rudraksha.
Key Takeaways
- Vijayadashami 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October, on Ashwin Shukla Dashami. In Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura, Vijaya Dashami is observed a day later, on 21 October
- The Vijay Muhurat in Mumbai is 2:19 –3:06 PM, within the Aparahna puja window of 1:13 PM to 3:30 PM. Timings vary by city
- Dussehra marks two victories: Lord Rama over Ravana, and Maa Durga over Mahishasura
- Many devotees choose Vijayadashami to begin something new, including wearing a Rudraksha for the first time
- Rudralife recommends Rudraksha through date of birth using astro-numerology (Mulank), and every bead is ACE energised before it reaches the devotee
When Is Vijayadashami 2026? Date and Muhurat
Vijayadashami 2026 is observed on Tuesday, 20 October, on Ashwin Shukla Dashami.
The festival is kept on the day the Dashami tithi is present through the Aparahna, the afternoon window, which is why most of India marks it on the 20th.
- Date: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- Dashami tithi begins: 12:50 PM, 20 October
- Dashami tithi ends: 2:11 PM, 21 October
- Vijay Muhurat (Mumbai): 2:19 PM to 3:06 PM
- Aparahna puja time (Mumbai): 1:33 PM to 3:53 PM
- Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura: Vijaya Dashami on Wednesday, 21 October, following the sunrise tithi
The Vijay Muhurat is one of the few windows in the year considered auspicious enough to begin a new venture without consulting a panchang.
Timings shift by city, so please confirm yours on Drik Panchang before planning a puja.
See how Navratri 2026 leads up to Vijayadashami Sharad Navratri 2026 →
Why Is Dussehra Celebrated? The Two Victories
Dussehra carries two stories, and both end on the same tenth day.
In the Ramayana, Lord Rama fought Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, to bring Devi Sita home. His victory on Dashami is why the day is called Dussehra, from dasha (ten) and hara (defeat), the defeat of the ten-headed one.
In the Durga Saptashati, Maa Durga fought the demon Mahishasura for nine days and nights and defeated him on the tenth. The nine nights of Navratri honour her nine forms, and Vijayadashami, vijaya (victory) and dashami (tenth), celebrates her triumph.
Many devotees read the ten heads of Ravana as ten qualities we carry within ourselves, such as ego, anger, greed and attachment. Seen this way, Dussehra is less about a battle long ago and more about the one each of us is quietly fighting today.
How Vijayadashami Is Observed
The same victory is celebrated in many ways across India.
- Ravan Dahan: Across North India, Ramlila performances end with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna at dusk.
- Shastra and Ayudha Puja: Tools, books, instruments and vehicles are worshipped so they serve well through the coming year.
- Shami Puja and Aparajita Puja: Performed in the Aparahna for success in the year’s undertakings. In Maharashtra, apta leaves are exchanged as symbolic gold.
- Durga Visarjan: In Bengal and eastern India, the idols of Maa Durga are immersed after Sindoor Khela.
- Vidyarambham: In Kerala, young children write their first letters on Vijayadashami.
Explore Navratri celebrations across India →
Rudraksha for Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami is a day of new beginnings, and many devotees choose it to begin wearing a Rudraksha or to add one to what they already wear. Because the day honours Shri Ram, Hanumanji and Maa Durga, three mukhis are traditionally connected with it.
- 16 Mukhi Rudraksha: Associated with Shri Ram, which makes it the bead most closely connected to Vijayadashami, the day ofShri Ram’s victory. It is believed to support success, protection and the strength to overcome obstacles.
Explore 16 Mukhi Rudraksha → - 11 Mukhi Rudraksha: Associated with Hanumanji, Shri Ram’s devoted companion in the battle against Ravana, which makes it a natural bead for Dussehra. It is believed to support courage, fearlessness and steady devotion.
Explore 11 Mukhi Rudraksha → - 9 Mukhi Rudraksha: Associated with Goddess Durga and her nine forms, which makes it the bead most closely connected to Navratri. It is believed to support courage, self-confidence and inner strength.
Explore 9 Mukhi Rudraksha →
Buy the 9 Mukhi Durga Shakti Bracelet →
Rudralife’s Note: The Shastras support wearing all mukhi Rudraksha together. Different mukhis do not conflict with one another, and Rudraksha always acts positively.
The right Rudraksha depends on the individual. Rudralife recommends beads through your date of birth using astro-numerology (Mulank). Your Mulank shows your ruling planet, and a Rudraksha for that planet is suggested only when it needs balancing.
Every Rudraksha from Rudralife is authenticated through X-ray at RRTL, Rudralife’s own ISO 9001:2015 lab, and ACE energised before it reaches you.
Get a personalised Rudraksha recommendation based on your date of birth →
Prefer to see Rudraksha in person? Visit us at an upcoming Rudralife exhibition →
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is Vijayadashami 2026? Vijayadashami 2026 falls on Tuesday, 20 October. In Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Tripura, Vijaya Dashami is observed on Wednesday, 21 October.
2. What is the Vijay Muhurat on Dussehra 2026? In Mumbai, the Vijay Muhurat is from 2:19 PM to 3:06 PM, within the Aparahna window of 1:33 PM to 3:53 PM. Please check your city’s timings on Drik Panchang.
3. Are Dussehra and Vijayadashami the same festival? Yes. Vijayadashami means the victorious tenth day, and Dussehra, from dasha-hara, refers to the defeat of ten-headed Ravana. Both names describe the same day.
4. Why is Bengal’s Vijaya Dashami on a different date? The Dashami tithi runs across 20 and 21 October. Most of India follows the tithi present in the afternoon, while Bengal follows the tithi at sunrise.
5. Is Vijayadashami a good day to start wearing Rudraksha? Many devotees choose Vijayadashami because it is considered auspicious for new beginnings. The Vijay Muhurat is a meaningful time to wear your Rudraksha for the first time.
6. Which Rudraksha should I wear? Rudralife recommends Rudraksha through your date of birth using astro-numerology (Mulank). Share your date of birth for a free, personalised recommendation.
The Bottom Line
Vijayadashami 2026 on Tuesday, 20 October closes nine nights of devotion with a celebration of victory, of Shri Ram over Ravana, of Maa Durga over Mahishasura, and of each of us over what holds us back.
For 25 years, Rudralife has walked with devotees through every festival season. Whether you begin wearing a Rudraksha in the Vijay Muhurat or meet us at an exhibition, we wish you a blessed Vijayadashami.
Check our upcoming exhibitions in your city →
Related Reading
- Sharad Navratri 2026: Dates, Story and the Nine Sacred Nights
- Navratri Celebrations Across India
- From Dussehra to Diwali 2026: 20 Sacred Days of Preparation
- Vijayadashami, Wikipedia
Disclaimer: Muhurat timings differ by city, and regional customs vary between families and communities. Please confirm specific observances with your family tradition or local Panchang.
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