Dussehra 2026 in Rajasthan: Date, Vijay Muhurat for Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, Jodhpur and the Kota Dussehra Mela

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Rajasthan is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Vijay Muhurat: Jaipur 2:05 to 2:51 PM, Kota 2:06 to 2:52 PM, Udaipur 2:14 to 3:00 PM and Jodhpur 2:17 to 3:02 PM (Drik Panchang, local time). Navratri runs from Sunday 11 October, with Ashtami and Navami together on Monday 19 October 2026.

Few states celebrate Dussehra with as much pageantry as Rajasthan. The land of Rajput warriors has always treated Vijayadashami as a martial festival: the day to worship weapons and horses, to set out on campaigns and to celebrate Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. Today that heritage lives on in the giant effigies of the Kota Dussehra Mela, Shastra puja in former royal households, Ramlila stages in every town and some surprising local customs around Ravana himself.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Dashami begins shortly after midday on 20 October and covers the whole afternoon, which is why Vijayadashami is observed on Tuesday 20 October. Because Ashtami and Navami share 19 October, Kanya Pujan for both is done on Monday.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Rajasthan cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious afternoon window on Dussehra for Shami puja, Shastra puja, beginning new work, buying vehicles or setting out on a journey. Timings for 20 October 2026, from Drik Panchang, in local time:

Notice how the window moves later as you travel west: Jodhpur's muhurat begins about 12 minutes after Jaipur's. Towns in the far west, such as Jaisalmer and Barmer, will be later still, so check a local panchang.

Rajasthan's Dussehra traditions

The Kota Dussehra Mela

Kota on the banks of the Chambal is home to one of India's oldest and largest Dussehra fairs, with roots in the patronage of the former rulers of Kota. The fair stretches over several weeks around Navratri and Dussehra and is known for its towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad, cultural programmes, a large market and a festive procession. The climax is the Ravan Dahan on Vijayadashami evening, which draws visitors from across the Hadoti region and beyond. Schedules are fixed locally each year, so check official announcements before planning a visit.

Royal Shastra puja

For Rajput families, Vijayadashami is above all a day of Shastra puja, the worship of weapons. Swords, shields and, in earlier times, horses and elephants were worshipped and blessed. Former royal households in cities such as Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur have historically marked the day with ceremonies including worship of arms and horses. Many ordinary families continue the custom by worshipping tools, vehicles and the instruments of their trade.

Ramlila and Ravan Dahan across the state

From Jaipur and Ajmer to Bikaner and Bharatpur, neighbourhood committees stage Ramlila performances during Navratri and burn Ravana effigies on Dussehra evening. In Jaipur, several large grounds host Ravan Dahan events with fireworks, and smaller colony-level effigies appear across the city. Venues and times are announced locally.

Jodhpur and Mandore: where Ravana is remembered

Mandore, the old capital near Jodhpur, is popularly believed to be the parental home of Mandodari, Ravana's queen. A section of the local Brahmin community that traces its lineage to the wedding party of Ravana regards him with respect and observes rituals of remembrance on Dussehra rather than celebrating his death. It is a striking local reading of the Ramayana that sits alongside the much more widespread Ravan Dahan.

Navratri in Rajasthan

Navratri in Rajasthan centres on the Devi temples. Karni Mata at Deshnok near Bikaner, Shila Devi in the Amber Fort complex near Jaipur, and Chamunda Mata at Mehrangarh in Jodhpur see large crowds through the nine nights. Garba and Dandiya are popular in southern Rajasthan, especially around Udaipur and Banswara, where Gujarati influence is strong. Check each temple's official website for current timings and arrangements.

What to do on Vijayadashami

• Aparajita puja: worship of the goddess of victory in the afternoon of Dashami.
• Shami puja: the Shami tree is the same species as the khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Rajasthan's state tree and a lifeline of the desert. It is worshipped on Dussehra in memory of the Pandavas, who hid their weapons in a Shami tree.
• Shastra puja: clean and worship weapons, tools, vehicles, account books and laptops during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Begin new things: Vijayadashami is one of the most auspicious days of the year for new ventures, admissions and purchases.
• Blessings and sweets: visit elders, seek blessings and share sweets with neighbours and relatives.
• Ravan Dahan: attend the effigy burning after sunset, a reminder that arrogance and adharma are always defeated in the end.

For Rajasthani families abroad

The Rajasthani and Marwari diaspora spans the USA, the UK, the Gulf, Singapore, Hong Kong, Nepal and many African countries. Some ideas for celebrating far from home:

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Jaipur's Vijay Muhurat into your time zone.
• Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a working day in most countries. Do Shastra puja of laptops, vehicles and tools in the evening, and join the community Ravan Dahan or Ramlila held by your local temple on the nearest weekend.
• If open fires are not allowed, burn a small paper Ravana safely in a fire pit, or tell the Ramayana story to children with a homemade effigy.
• Cook a festive Rajasthani meal such as dal baati churma or ghevar to share with friends.
• Video-call elders in Rajasthan to seek blessings on the day.

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

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Rajasthan?

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

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Jaipur on Dussehra 2026?

2:05 to 2:51 PM in Jaipur. Kota is 2:06 to 2:52 PM, Udaipur 2:14 to 3:00 PM and Jodhpur 2:17 to 3:02 PM, all local time on 20 October 2026.

What are the dates of the Kota Dussehra Mela 2026?

The fair is organised locally and its schedule is announced each year. It traditionally runs for several weeks around Navratri and Dussehra, with the main Ravan Dahan on Vijayadashami. Check announcements from the Kota civic authorities for 2026 dates and events.

Why is Ravana mourned by some people in Jodhpur?

Mandore near Jodhpur is popularly regarded as the parental home of Mandodari, Ravana's queen. A section of the local Brahmin community that traces its ancestry to Ravana's wedding party observes rituals of remembrance for him on Dussehra instead of celebrating his defeat.

Can I use Rajasthan's muhurat timings in the USA or UK?

No. Muhurat timings depend on local sunrise and sunset, so they cannot simply be converted to another time zone. Use a panchang for your own city or your local temple'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. Dates and Vijay Muhurat timings are from Drik Panchang for India. We have not listed fair dates, Ravan Dahan venues, ticket information or royal ceremony schedules because these are announced locally each year; please check official sources before you travel. Temple timings change, so check the temple's official website.

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