Dussehra 2026 — How Many Days Until Dussehra?

Name: Dussehra
Location: India

About Dussehra

Dussehra — also known as Vijayadashami — is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri (Shukla Paksha Dashami of the month of Ashvin), typically in October. The name "Dussehra" derives from the Sanskrit Dasha-Hara, meaning "remover of ten" — a reference to the ten heads of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka defeated by Lord Rama. The festival marks the victory of good over evil.

Dussehra celebrates the end of Navratri — nine nights of worship of Goddess Durga. In North India, the most spectacular tradition is Ramlila — dramatic enactments of the epic Ramayana, concluding on Dussehra with the burning of giant effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghanada. The effigies, some reaching 20–30 metres in height, are stuffed with firecrackers and burned in massive public displays.

In Mysuru (Mysore) in Karnataka, Dussehra is celebrated as Mysuru Dasara — a 10-day state festival of grand processions, illuminated palaces, and a golden-howdah elephant procession on Vijayadashami. In West Bengal, the same day is called Vijaya Dashami, marking the departure of Goddess Durga following Durga Puja.

Dussehra marks the tenth day of Navratri — celebrating Rama's victory over Ravana
Giant effigies of Ravana are burned with firecrackers in cities across North India
Mysuru Dasara is the official state festival of Karnataka, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors
The festival also marks the day Goddess Durga slew the buffalo demon Mahishasura
It is a gazetted public holiday across most Indian states

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dussehra?

Dussehra falls on the tenth day of Navratri in the Hindu calendar — typically in October. The Gregorian date changes each year.

What is the significance of Dussehra?

Dussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil: specifically, Lord Rama's defeat of the ten-headed demon Ravana in the Ramayana, and Goddess Durga's slaying of the demon Mahishasura. Both symbolise the victory of righteousness.

What is Ramlila?

Ramlila is a dramatic re-enactment of the Ramayana, performed over ten days leading up to Dussehra. It culminates with the burning of giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada — representing the defeat of evil.