Dussehra 2026 Malaysia: State-by-State Dates and Vijay Muhurat

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 falls on Tuesday 20 October in every Malaysian state and federal territory. Navarathri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October. The Vijay Muhurat in Kuala Lumpur is 2:58–3:46 PM, but Dashami tithi only begins at 3:20 PM, so the portion inside Dashami is 3:20 PM to 3:46 PM. In Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan the calculated window ends before 3:20 PM, so follow the later Aparahna period or your temple's timing. Do not convert India's window (1:59–2:45 PM IST) to Malaysian time.

Dussehra 2026 dates in Malaysia

Malaysian panchangams follow the same tithi as the rest of South-East Asia this year. Because Malaysia sits east of India, the Ashtami tithi (which starts at 8:27am IST on 18 October) begins after sunrise on the 18th here, so Durga Ashtami moves to Monday 19 October, the same day as Maha Navami. The dates below follow Drik Panchang for Malaysia.

Families following the Telangana calendar will see Saddula Bathukamma on Sunday 18 October, the date the Telangana calendar keeps worldwide. That is a calendar choice, not an error: Malaysian panchangams place Ashtami on the 19th, while Telangana's calendar keeps the 18th.

Why only part of the Vijay Muhurat counts in Malaysia this year

The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 muhurtas of daylight, so it is worked out from local sunrise and sunset. In Peninsular Malaysia it falls roughly between 2:50 PM and 3:51 PM, depending on the state.

The catch in 2026 is the tithi. Dashami begins at 3:20 PM Malaysian time on Tuesday 20 October (12:50pm IST). Every Peninsular window starts before 3:20 PM, so only the later part of it lies inside Dashami. For Kuala Lumpur that is 3:20 PM to 3:46 PM, roughly 26 minutes. If you are planning a puja, Shami (vanni) leaf exchange, vehicle blessing or a child's first lesson to coincide with the muhurat, aim for the part after 3:20 PM.

In East Malaysia the sun rises and sets up to an hour earlier than in Kuala Lumpur, even though the clocks are the same. That pulls the whole window earlier, and in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Labuan it closes before Dashami starts. The guidance for those states is to use the later Aparahna (afternoon) period of Dashami, or simply the time your temple announces.

India's time does not apply here. India's Vijay Muhurat is 1:59–2:45 PM IST. Shifting that by the time-zone difference gives a figure that has nothing to do with Malaysian sunrise and sunset, so it is not the right window anywhere outside India. Use the local table below.

Vijay Muhurat 2026: all 13 states and 3 federal territories

All times are local (Malaysia Time) on Tuesday 20 October 2026, calculated from each reference city's sunrise and sunset with the same sunrise-to-sunset method used across the HinduTone cluster. Kuala Lumpur's window matches Drik Panchang's published value. If you live away from the reference city, your window will usually be within a few minutes of it.

Klang Valley: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya

Kuala Lumpur (2:58–3:46 PM). The capital has Malaysia's densest cluster of Hindu temples, and the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in the city centre is the best-known. Navarathri in Kuala Lumpur temples traditionally runs as nine nights of ubayam (sponsored nightly pujas), with each night taken by a family, a business or a community group, followed by an evening procession or special abhishekam. Expect the busiest crowds on Navami and Vijayadashami evenings. Inside Dashami, the window is 3:20 PM to 3:46 PM.

Selangor (Shah Alam, 2:59–3:47 PM). Batu Caves, in Gombak, is the state's most famous Hindu site and draws visitors year round. Navarathri programmes there and at neighbourhood temples in Klang, Petaling Jaya, Subang and Rawang are usually announced on temple notice boards and social media pages in the first week of October. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:47 PM.

Putrajaya (2:58–3:46 PM). Many families here worship at temples in Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya or Seremban. The window and the Dashami caution are the same as Kuala Lumpur's: aim for 3:20 PM to 3:46 PM.

Northern states: Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak

Penang (George Town, 3:03–3:51 PM). Penang has a large Tamil community and long-established temples in George Town, including the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple on Waterfall Road. Navarathri here is mostly temple-centred, with Golu displays in homes and cultural performances on several nights. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:51 PM, the longest Dashami portion in the country together with Perlis.

Kedah (Alor Setar, 3:03–3:50 PM). Smaller towns such as Sungai Petani and Kulim have active temple committees; check their pages for the ubayam roster. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:50 PM.

Perlis (Kangar, 3:03–3:51 PM). Malaysia's smallest state has a modest Hindu community; many families travel to Alor Setar or Penang for larger celebrations. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:51 PM.

Perak (Ipoh, 3:00–3:48 PM). Ipoh, Taiping, Teluk Intan and the estate towns of Perak have deep Tamil roots, and estate temples often hold their own Navarathri nights. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:48 PM.

Southern states: Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan

Johor (Johor Bahru, 2:50–3:39 PM). Johor's window is the earliest on the Peninsula, so its Dashami portion is the shortest: 3:20 PM to 3:39 PM, about 19 minutes. Families who cross daily to Singapore will find Singapore's timing almost identical; see our Singapore area-by-area guide.

Melaka (2:56–3:44 PM). Melaka's historic quarter includes the Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, and the Chitty (Indian Peranakan) community keeps its own festival customs. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:44 PM.

Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, 2:57–3:45 PM). Seremban, Nilai and Port Dickson temples typically follow the same nine-night ubayam pattern as the Klang Valley. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:45 PM.

East Coast: Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan

Pahang (Kuantan, 2:51–3:39 PM). Kuantan and the plantation towns of Pahang have smaller temple communities. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:39 PM.

Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu, 2:52–3:40 PM). Hindu families are few and widely spread, so home puja is common; a short Saraswathi Pooja on Monday 19 October and a Shami-leaf or lamp ritual on the 20th work well. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:40 PM.

Kelantan (Kota Bharu, 2:55–3:43 PM). As in Terengganu, most observance is at home or at a small local temple. Inside Dashami: 3:20 PM to 3:43 PM.

East Malaysia: Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan

East Malaysia is where the 2026 calendar needs most care. On Vijayadashami the sun rises at about 6:01 AM in Kota Kinabalu and 6:21 AM in Kuching, compared with about 6:57 AM in Kuala Lumpur, so the 11th muhurta of the day arrives much earlier.

• Sabah (Kota Kinabalu): 2:00–2:48 PM. Window ends before Dashami begins (3:20 PM); use the later Aparahna period or your temple's timing.
• Sarawak (Kuching): 2:24–3:12 PM. Window ends before Dashami begins (3:20 PM); use the later Aparahna period or your temple's timing.
• Labuan (Victoria): 2:03–2:51 PM. Window ends before Dashami begins (3:20 PM); use the later Aparahna period or your temple's timing.

In practice, the Hindu communities in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri and Labuan are small and close-knit, and most families follow the timing set by their temple priest. If your temple has not published one, the simplest approach is to perform the Vijayadashami puja on Tuesday 20 October after 3:20 PM, while it is still afternoon, rather than trying to fit the calculated window.

How Malaysian Hindus usually mark Navarathri and Vijayadashami

• Golu (Kolu): tiered displays of dolls in Tamil and Telugu homes, with neighbours invited each evening for songs, sundal and gifts. Set it up on or before Sunday 11 October.
• Temple ubayam: each of the nine nights is sponsored by a different group. If your family or association wants a night in future years, temple offices usually take bookings well in advance.
• Saraswathi and Ayutha Pooja (Monday 19 October): books, musical instruments, laptops, tools and vehicles are cleaned, decorated and blessed. Many businesses do a small Ayutha Pooja at the shop or office.
• Vijayadashami (Tuesday 20 October): Vidyarambham, where young children write their first letters in rice, is often held at temples in the morning; dance and music students start new lessons; and books placed for Saraswathi Pooja are taken back for study.
• North Indian traditions: Punjabi, Gujarati and Bengali families may hold garba, Durga Puja or a small Ravan Dahan, usually on a weekend near the festival. Check your community association for 2026 plans.

Events in Malaysia for 2026

We have not yet confirmed any specific Malaysian Navarathri or Dussehra event for 2026, and our content pack lists Malaysian temple ubayam schedules as still to be added. Most temples publish their nine-night roster in the first week of October. To find what is happening near you:

• Check your local temple's notice board, Facebook page or WhatsApp group for the ubayam schedule and Vijayadashami timings.
• Ask your state's Tamil, Telugu, Malayalee, Punjabi or Bengali association whether it is holding a cultural evening.
• For Vidyarambham, ask the temple whether advance registration is needed; popular temples can fill early.
• Allow for traffic on Navami and Vijayadashami evenings, which fall on a Monday and Tuesday this year.

A simple Vijayadashami routine for working families

Because 20 October is a working Tuesday in Malaysia, the muhurat will clash with office or school hours for most people. A practical plan:

• Monday 19 October, evening: Saraswathi and Ayutha Pooja at home; place books and tools before the deity.
• Tuesday 20 October, morning: a short prayer before work or school; take Vidyarambham children to the temple if it holds a morning session.
• Tuesday 20 October, afternoon: if you can step away, offer a lamp or a short prayer after 3:20 PM inside your state's window (Peninsula only).
• Tuesday 20 October, evening: visit the temple for the Vijayadashami puja and collect your books from the Saraswathi Pooja.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Malaysia?

Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 everywhere in Malaysia, from Perlis to Sabah. Navarathri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami (Saraswathi and Ayutha Pooja) both fall on Monday 19 October.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Kuala Lumpur on Vijayadashami 2026?

The Vijay Muhurat in Kuala Lumpur is 2:58–3:46 PM on Tuesday 20 October. Dashami tithi only begins at 3:20 PM, so the part of the window that falls inside Dashami is 3:20 PM to 3:46 PM.

Why is the Vijay Muhurat different in Sabah and Sarawak?

Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan use the same clock as the Peninsula but the sun rises and sets much earlier there, so the calculated window comes earlier: 2:00–2:48 PM in Kota Kinabalu, 2:24–3:12 PM in Kuching and 2:03–2:51 PM in Labuan. All three windows end before Dashami begins at 3:20 PM, so use the later Aparahna period or your temple's timing.

Can I use the Indian Vijay Muhurat time in Malaysia?

No. India's window (1:59–2:45 PM IST) is calculated for Indian sunrise and sunset. Converting it to Malaysian time does not give the right window. Use the local times in the table on this page or your temple's panchangam.

Is Dussehra a public holiday in Malaysia?

No. Vijayadashami is not a public holiday in Malaysia, so most families mark it in the evening after work or school, or at temple programmes. Deepavali, which falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, is the Hindu festival with a national holiday.

Editor's note

Editor's note (4 October 2026): dates follow Drik Panchang for Malaysia and the Vijay Muhurat windows are calculated from local sunrise and sunset; Kuala Lumpur's matches Drik's published window. Temple ubayam rosters and community programmes for 2026 are still being announced, and organisers are still publishing 2026 flyers; we will update this guide.

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