Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Chandigarh is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat is 2:00–2:45 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method). Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October 2026. Ravan Dahan takes place after sunset on Dussehra evening in grounds across the city's sectors.

Chandigarh is a planned city, but its Dussehra is as old-fashioned as any in North India. Through Navratri, Ramlila committees stage the Ramayana night after night in open grounds across the sectors, and on Vijayadashami evening effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad go up in flames before crowds of families. Just outside the city, the Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula and Chandi Mandir draw devotees through the nine days. This guide gives the 2026 dates, the Vijay Muhurat for Chandigarh, an overview of how the Tricity celebrates and practical tips.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

ObservanceDate (2026)
Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana)Sunday 11 October
Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami (Kanya pujan)Monday 19 October
Dussehra / Vijayadashami (Ravan Dahan)Tuesday 20 October
Dashami tithi12:50 PM IST 20 Oct to 2:11 PM IST 21 Oct
DiwaliSunday 8 November

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Because Ashtami and Navami share a single day in 2026, families who perform Kanya pujan will do it on Monday 19 October. The Dashami tithi begins shortly after midday on 20 October and covers the afternoon, which is why Vijayadashami is observed that Tuesday. Bengali Durga Puja committees follow the Bengali panjika, which in 2026 places Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October in Kolkata.

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Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Chandigarh

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon. It is the traditional time for Aparajita puja, Shami puja, Shastra puja, starting new work, buying a vehicle or setting out on a journey. Timing for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

CityVijay Muhurat (20 Oct 2026)
Chandigarh2:00–2:45 PM

Panchkula and Mohali are close enough that their windows will differ by no more than about a minute. The window falls well after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST.

How Chandigarh celebrates

Sector Ramlilas

Ramlila in Chandigarh is a neighbourhood affair. Committees in many sectors, and in Panchkula and Mohali, put up stages in open grounds and enact the Ramayana over the Navratri nights, from Rama's birth and exile to the abduction of Sita, Hanuman's leap to Lanka and the final battle. Some productions are elaborate, with sets, costumes and lighting, while others are simple community performances with local residents in the roles. Each committee sets its own schedule, so check local announcements for 2026.

Ravan Dahan

On Dussehra evening, effigies of Ravana and his brothers are raised in grounds across the city and set alight, usually after the enactment of Rama's victory. Some effigies are very tall and draw large crowds, while housing societies and smaller grounds burn more modest ones. Venues and timings are announced by the organising committees and the local administration each year. We have not named specific grounds because arrangements change.

Durga Puja

Bengali associations in the Tricity commonly hold Durga Puja, with the image of the Goddess, daily rituals, bhog and cultural evenings, ending with immersion and Sindoor Khela. Committees follow the Bengali panjika for their timings.

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The Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula, just across the city's boundary in Haryana, is one of the best-known Devi shrines in the region and is especially crowded during Navratri, when a fair is traditionally held. Nearby Chandi Mandir, dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, is also popular with devotees, and the city's name is commonly linked with Chandi. Many Tricity families keep the nine-day fast and end it with Kanya pujan, when young girls are honoured as forms of the Devi. Crowds at the shrines can be very heavy, especially on weekends and on Ashtami and Navami, so check the official information for current timings and arrangements.

What to do on Vijayadashami

  • Aparajita and Shami puja: worship the goddess of victory and the Shami tree in the afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
  • Shastra puja: clean and worship tools, vehicles, account books and laptops.
  • Begin something new: Vijayadashami is one of the most auspicious days of the year for new ventures and purchases.
  • Ravan Dahan: join the community effigy burning after sunset.

For the meaning of Dussehra and a full puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Practical tips

  • Crowds and safety: keep children close at Ravan Dahan grounds, stand well back from the effigies, which are often packed with firecrackers, and follow the instructions of organisers and police.
  • Traffic: expect diversions near major grounds on Dussehra evening and around Mansa Devi during Navratri. Watch for advisories from the traffic police.
  • Firecrackers: rules on firecrackers are set by the administration and can change. Check current official orders.

For Tricity families abroad

  • Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Chandigarh's Vijay Muhurat into your local time zone.
  • Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a working day in most countries. Many mandirs and community groups hold their Ramlila or Ravan Dahan on the nearest weekend, so check their announcements.

Our Navratri 2026 guide for NRI families covers fasting, Kanya pujan and puja steps that work abroad.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Chandigarh?

Tuesday 20 October 2026. Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami are both on Monday 19 October 2026, according to Drik Panchang for India.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Chandigarh on Dussehra 2026?

2:00–2:45 PM local time (IST) on Tuesday 20 October 2026, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Panchkula and Mohali will be within about a minute of this.

Where is Ravan Dahan held in Chandigarh?

Ravan Dahan is held at many grounds across the city's sectors, usually organised by local Ramlila and Dussehra committees, and in Panchkula and Mohali too. Venues and timings are set by the committees each year, so check local announcements for 2026.

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Is Mansa Devi temple crowded during Navratri?

Yes. The Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula is one of the region's best-known Navratri shrines and draws very large crowds during the nine days. Go early, expect queues, and check the shrine's official information for current timings and arrangements.

Is Chandigarh in Punjab or Haryana?

Neither. Chandigarh is a Union Territory and serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Mohali lies in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana, and together they form the Tricity.

Can I use Chandigarh's Vijay Muhurat abroad?

No. Muhurat windows depend on local sunrise and sunset, so they cannot be converted into another time zone. Use a panchang for your own city or follow your local mandir's calendar.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. Festival dates are from Drik Panchang for India, and the Vijay Muhurat for Chandigarh was calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We have described the city's Ramlilas, Ravan Dahan and Durga Pujas in general terms and have not named specific grounds, committees or timings, because these are set afresh each year. Check local announcements, and the official information of Mansa Devi and Chandi Mandir for current timings.