Dussehra and Durga Puja 2026 in Odisha: Date, Vijay Muhurat, Cuttack's Silver Pandals and Puri

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Odisha is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Navaratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October (Drik Panchang, India). Vijay Muhurat: Bhubaneswar 1:27 to 2:14 PM, Cuttack 1:27 to 2:13 PM and Puri 1:27 to 2:14 PM (local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method). Some Durga Puja committees follow Bengal-style dates; see the reference calendar below.

In Odisha, the autumn festival season is Durga Puja and Dussehra together. Cuttack, the old capital, is famous across India for pandals decorated in dazzling silver filigree; Bhubaneswar's pujas have grown into a major celebration of the new capital; and in Puri, the Goddess is worshipped within the great temple of Lord Jagannath. Odisha's traditions have their own character, distinct from Bengal's, even where the two share rituals. This guide covers the 2026 dates, Vijay Muhurat and what makes the festival Odia.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Because the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST on 20 October and covers the afternoon, the all-India Vijayadashami is Tuesday 20 October.

Durga Puja dates: the Bengal-tradition reference

Durga Puja committees in Odisha fix their ritual days by the Odia panjika and their own tradition, and some follow the Bengal reckoning, in which Maha Navami and Dashami fall a day later than the all-India dates in 2026. As a Bengal-tradition reference, here is the Drik Panchang Durga Puja calendar for Kolkata:

This is a reference, not the Odisha calendar. Check the schedule announced by your local puja committee or priest, especially for immersion days, which are set by committees and the local administration.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Odisha cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon, traditionally used for Aparajita and Shami puja, worship of weapons and tools, beginning new work or setting out on a journey. Timings for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

All three windows fall after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST. For Sambalpur, Berhampur, Rourkela or other towns, check a panchang set for that town.

Cuttack: the silver city's Durga Puja

Cuttack is renowned for its silver filigree, or tarakasi, a craft in which fine silver wire is twisted and soldered into lace-like patterns. During Durga Puja, this craft is on public display: several of the city's pandals are known for their chandi medha, silver decorations and backdrops framing the Goddess, and some have added gold work, known as suna medha. The silver medha are often reused and added to over the years, and seeing them is one of the main reasons visitors come to Cuttack at Puja time.

Beyond the silver, Cuttack's puja has a strong neighbourhood character, with community pujas across the old city's lanes. Pandal details and timings are set by each committee, and immersion arrangements are announced by the administration, so check local announcements for 2026.

Bhubaneswar and across the state

Bhubaneswar's Durga Puja has grown steadily, with pandals in many neighbourhoods and an atmosphere of food stalls, lights and family outings. Across Odisha, from Sambalpur and Rourkela in the west to Berhampur in the south, Durga Puja is celebrated in community pandals and Devi temples. In some places, Dussehra evening also includes Ravana Podi, the burning of a Ravana effigy, organised by local committees.

Puri: the Goddess in Jagannath's temple

In Puri, the Goddess is worshipped within the Jagannath temple complex itself. Goddess Vimala, whose shrine stands in the complex and who is revered as one of the Shakti Peethas, is specially worshipped during the autumn Navaratri season, following the temple's own ritual calendar. Navaratri and Dussehra rituals are performed by the temple's servitors according to long-standing tradition. For any darshan or visiting arrangements, check official announcements from the temple administration. Puri town also has its own community Durga Pujas.

Odia customs at Dussehra

• Durga worship: families visit pandals and Devi temples through the last days of Navaratri, and many keep fasts or vegetarian food.
• Ayudha and Shastra Puja: tools, vehicles and books are worshipped on Navami in many homes and workplaces.
• Aparajita puja: on Vijayadashami afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Visiting elders: Dussehra is a day for blessings and sweets with family.
• Kumar Purnima: the full-moon festival that follows, especially celebrated by young girls in Odisha.

For Odia families abroad

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Bhubaneswar's Vijay Muhurat into your local time zone.
• Odia and Bengali associations abroad usually hold Durga Puja over the nearest weekend. Check their 2026 schedules.
• Share photos or video calls of Cuttack's chandi medha with children, and talk about Cuttack's silver filigree craft.
• Call elders on Dussehra for their blessings.

For the neighbouring traditions, see our Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal guide; for the meaning of Vijayadashami, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Odisha?

Vijayadashami (Dussehra) is on Tuesday 20 October 2026, according to Drik Panchang for India. Navaratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October.

When is Durga Puja 2026 in Odisha?

Durga Puja is celebrated through the last days of Navaratri. Puja committees in Odisha follow the Odia panjika and their own custom, and some follow Bengal-style dates. For reference, the Drik Panchang Durga Puja calendar for Kolkata gives Maha Saptami on Sunday 18 October, Maha Ashtami on Monday 19 October, Maha Navami on Tuesday 20 October and Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October 2026. Check your local committee's schedule.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Bhubaneswar on Dussehra 2026?

1:27 to 2:14 PM in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday 20 October 2026, local time, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. Cuttack is 1:27 to 2:13 PM and Puri 1:27 to 2:14 PM.

What is chandi medha in Cuttack?

Chandi medha is the silver backdrop or decoration, made in Cuttack's celebrated silver filigree (tarakasi) craft, used behind the Durga idol in some of Cuttack's Durga Puja pandals. Some pandals also use gold decorations (suna medha). They are among the best-known sights of Odisha's Durga Puja.

Is Durga worshipped at the Jagannath temple in Puri?

Yes. Goddess Vimala, whose shrine stands within the Jagannath temple complex and who is revered as a Shakti Peetha, is specially worshipped during the autumn Navaratri season. Temple rituals are internal; follow official temple announcements for any darshan arrangements.

Can I use Cuttack'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 temple.

Editor's note

Editor's note (5 October 2026): This page has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. All-India festival dates are from Drik Panchang for India; the Bengal-tradition Durga Puja calendar is Drik Panchang's calendar for Kolkata and is given only as a reference; and the Vijay Muhurat timings for Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri are calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We have not named individual pandals or listed timings, immersion schedules or Puri temple ritual times because these are announced by committees, the administration and the temple each year. Temple timings change, so check official sources.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Durga Puja 2026 in West Bengal
• Dussehra 2026 in Andhra Pradesh
• Dussehra 2026 in Chhattisgarh
• Dussehra 2026 in Jharkhand
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar