# Dussehra Date Confusion: Key Timings for Vijay Muhurat, Aparahna Puja and Ravan Dahan

> With the Dashami tithi spanning across two dates in 2026, devotees face uncertainty over whether to celebrate on October 20 or 21. Here is the schedule for puja timings and the effigy burning rituals.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Festivals · **Published:** 2026-10-16 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/festivals/vijayadashami-ki-tarikha-para-ulajhana-janie-20-ya-21-october-men-se-kaba-hoga-ravan-dahan-aura-shastra-pujana-48399 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Dussehra 2026, Vijayadashami, Ravan Dahan Muhurat, Vijay Muhurat, Shardiya Navratri Parana, Ashwin Shukla Dashami

Vijayadashami, which celebrates the triumph of righteousness over malice and virtue over evil, is observed annually on the Dashami tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwin. In the year 2026, the calendar alignment creates significant confusion among devotees, as the tenth lunar day stretches across two consecutive calendar dates. Discussions have emerged regarding whether the festival should be observed on October 20 or October 21. To determine the most appropriate day for festivities, one must consider both the specific planetary hours designated for worship and the evening period assigned for effigy burning.

## Commencement and Conclusion of the Dashami Tithi
According to the Hindu calendar, the Dashami tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha commences on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 12:50 PM. The tithi will conclude the following day, October 21, at 2:11 PM. Under ordinary traditional conventions, Hindu festivals are frequently determined by the sunrise tithi, known as Udaya Tithi, which would indicate October 21 as the primary day. However, scriptural guidelines for Vijayadashami place decisive emphasis on the presence of the tithi during Aparahna, Vijay Muhurat, and the evening Pradosh Kaal, which makes the afternoon and evening of October 20 central to the festival rituals.

## Auspicious Windows for Vijay Muhurat and Afternoon Worship
Performing religious ceremonies, conducting weapon worship, and starting new ventures during the Vijay Muhurat on Dussehra is regarded as exceptionally auspicious. The planetary positions on October 20 offer distinct windows for these sacred observances during the afternoon hours.

- **Vijay Muhurat:** The precise period extends from 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM on October 20.
- **Aparahna Puja Time:** The broader afternoon worship window runs from 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM on October 20.

Sacred lore holds that Lord Ram initiated his decisive march against the demon king during the Aparahna period, establishing a long-standing tradition where ventures undertaken in this timeframe are believed to attain complete success.

## Timings for Ravan Dahan and Evening Observances
A core cultural ritual of the celebration involves the burning of massive effigies representing Ravan, Kumbhakaran, and Meghnad at dusk. Scriptural directives require this burning ritual to take place during Pradosh Kaal, which begins immediately after sunset while the Dashami tithi remains active. On October 20, the Pradosh Kaal begins at 5:47 PM. Because the tenth lunar day is ongoing at this hour, public effigy burnings can be suitably scheduled for the evening of October 20, though regional customs and local panchang variations often guide community event committees in setting exact times. Additionally, the auspicious Nishita Muhurat is marked from 11:41 PM on the night of October 20 until 12:31 AM on October 21.

## Culmination of Shardiya Navratri and Spiritual Meaning
Beyond the theatrical re-enactment of mythic battles, Vijayadashami marks the formal conclusion of the nine-day Shardiya Navratri observance. Devotees who observed strict fasting regimens during the Navratri period conduct closing rituals, offer concluding prayers, and perform the parana to conclude their fast on Dashami. Classical narratives commemorate two grand victories on this date: the defeat of Ravan by Lord Ram and the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga after a protracted contest. Consequently, the festival stands as an enduring call for individuals to conquer ego, greed, and wrongdoing within themselves while committing to righteous conduct.

## What this means for you
The overlap of the Dashami tithi affects scheduling for household worship, fast completion, and public effigy burning events.

- **Household Planning:** Devotees can organize their family ceremonies during the afternoon window from 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM on October 20. Planning around this period ensures traditional rituals are performed within auspicious hours.
- **Community Gatherings:** Event organizers hosting Ravan Dahan can schedule the burning after Pradosh Kaal begins at 5:47 PM on October 20. Attendees should check with local committees regarding their specific ground timings before heading out.
- **Fasting Schedules:** Worshippers completing the nine-day Navratri fast can conclude their fast once the Dashami tithi sets in. This clarity helps households prepare the concluding parana meals at the right interval.
- **Auspicious Beginnings:** Individuals planning vehicle deliveries, asset purchases, or business inaugurations can leverage the Vijay Muhurat between 1:59 PM and 2:45 PM on October 20. Utilizing this specific window aligns their initiatives with traditionally favored timings.

## Why this happened
The confusion surrounding the festival date arises from the structural difference between sunrise-based tithi systems and time-bound ritual rules in Hindu astrology.

- **Midday Transition of Lunar Day:** The Dashami tithi begins mid-day on October 20 at 12:50 PM and extends until 2:11 PM on October 21. Because the lunar date is split over two solar days, neither calendar date covers it entirely.
- **Conflict Between Sunrise and Evening Rules:** Traditional panchang calculations prioritize Udaya Tithi, which favors October 21, but Dussehra rituals mandate that the tithi must be active during the evening Pradosh period. Since Pradosh Kaal requires an active Dashami at dusk, October 20 fulfills the scriptural condition for Ravan Dahan.
- **Importance of Vijay Muhurat:** The sacred Vijay Muhurat falls exclusively during the afternoon of October 20 from 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM. Religious authorities heavily weight this afternoon window when designating the primary day of celebration.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Is Dussehra in 2026 celebrated on October 20 or October 21?
Because the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM on October 20 and covers the evening Pradosh Kaal, major rituals and Ravan Dahan are suited for October 20.

### 2. What is the exact Vijay Muhurat time on October 20, 2026?
The Vijay Muhurat falls between 1:59 PM and 2:45 PM on October 20.

### 3. What is the recommended period for Ravan Dahan?
Effigy burning is prescribed during Pradosh Kaal, which begins at 5:47 PM on the evening of October 20.

### 4. What are the hours for Aparahna worship on Dussehra?
The Aparahna puja timing spans from 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM on October 20.

### 5. When does the Nishita Muhurat take place?
The Nishita Muhurat starts at 11:41 PM on October 20 and concludes at 12:31 AM on October 21.

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