Dussehra 2026 in Uttar Pradesh: Date, Vijay Muhurat for Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, and the Ramlila Tradition

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Uttar Pradesh is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Vijay Muhurat: Lucknow 1:45–2:30 PM, Varanasi 1:37–2:23 PM, Ayodhya 1:40–2:25 PM and Prayagraj 1:42–2:27 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.

Uttar Pradesh is the land of Rama. Ayodhya, his birthplace, lies in the state, and so does Varanasi, where the Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas, the Awadhi retelling of the Ramayana that shapes most North Indian Ramlilas, has deep roots. It is no surprise that Dussehra here is above all a festival of Ramlila: night after night of the Ramayana enacted on stages, in open grounds and in the streets, ending with the burning of Ravana on Vijayadashami.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Dates are from Drik Panchang for India. Because Ashtami and Navami share a single day in 2026, Kanya pujan falls on Monday 19 October for most families. The Dashami tithi begins shortly after midday on 20 October and covers the afternoon, which is why Vijayadashami is observed on Tuesday 20 October. Bengali Durga Puja committees in UP cities follow the Bengali panjika, which in 2026 places Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday 21 October in Kolkata; check your local committee's announcements.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Uttar Pradesh cities

The Vijay Muhurat is the most auspicious window of Vijayadashami afternoon, traditionally used for Aparajita puja, Shami puja, Shastra puja and for beginning new work, purchases or journeys. Timings for Tuesday 20 October 2026, in local time (IST), calculated by the Drik Panchang method:

Varanasi lies furthest east of the four, so its window opens first; Lucknow, to the west, opens last. All four windows fall after the Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM IST. For other towns, such as Kanpur, Agra, Mathura, Gorakhpur or Meerut, check a panchang set for your own location.

The Ramlila heritage of Uttar Pradesh

Ramnagar Ramlila, near Varanasi

The Ramlila of Ramnagar, on the eastern bank of the Ganga opposite Varanasi, is widely regarded as one of the most traditional Ramlilas in India. It has long been associated with the patronage of the Maharaja of Banaras, and it is widely known as a month-long performance in which the action moves between different locations around the town, so that the audience walks with the story from Ayodhya to the forest to Lanka. The text recited is the Ramcharitmanas.

In 2008 UNESCO inscribed Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana, on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and Ramnagar is among the Ramlilas most often cited in that context. Details such as the exact start date, the order of episodes and arrangements for spectators follow the Ramlila's own traditional calendar and can differ from the all-India Navratri dates, so check current information before planning a visit.

Lucknow: Aishbagh and neighbourhood Ramlilas

In Lucknow, the Aishbagh Ramlila is widely described as one of the city's oldest, and many other mohallas and residential areas stage their own Ramlilas and burn effigies on Dussehra evening. Lucknow's Bengali community also holds Durga Puja, so the city sees both traditions side by side during the festival. Schedules are set by each committee every year; check local announcements for 2026.

Ayodhya

For many devotees, spending Navratri or Dussehra in Ayodhya, the city of Rama, is a pilgrimage in itself. The Ram Janmabhoomi temple, whose consecration in January 2024 drew devotees from across the world, together with older shrines such as Hanuman Garhi and the ghats of the Sarayu, draw large numbers of pilgrims through the festive season. Ramlila performances are also held in Ayodhya around Dussehra; programmes and any official arrangements are announced each year, so check them close to the date. Crowds can be very heavy, so allow plenty of time and check the temple's official website for current darshan arrangements.

Prayagraj processions

Prayagraj has a long tradition of Dussehra processions, in which decorated tableaux and illuminated displays move through parts of the city over the festive days, organised by local committees. Routes, dates and timings are set locally each year, and traffic arrangements change accordingly, so follow announcements from the local administration and organisers.

Navratri at Uttar Pradesh's Devi shrines

Alongside Ramlila, Navratri in UP is a time of fasting and Devi worship. Many families keep the nine-day vrat and end it with Kanya pujan. The Vindhyavasini temple at Vindhyachal near Mirzapur is one of the best-known Shakti shrines in the state and is especially crowded during Navratri. In Varanasi, the Durga Kund temple is a much-loved Devi shrine, and the city's Bengali community celebrates Durga Puja in its own pandals. Pilgrims to Varanasi often combine these with darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Temples are very busy in the festival period, so check each temple's official website for current timings.

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.
• Neelkanth darshan: in many UP households it is considered auspicious to sight the Indian roller (neelkanth) bird on Dussehra.
• Ravan Dahan: join the community effigy burning after sunset, which closes the Ramlila season in most towns.
• Seek blessings: touch the feet of elders and share sweets with neighbours.

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

Practical tips

• Ramlila grounds and Ravan Dahan sites draw large crowds. Keep children close, agree a meeting point and carry minimal valuables.
• Stand well back from effigies, which are often packed with firecrackers, and follow the instructions of organisers and police.
• Traffic diversions are common in Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya around major events. Watch for advisories from the local police.

For UP families abroad

• Use a panchang calculated for your own city. Do not convert Lucknow's or Varanasi'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 Uttar Pradesh?

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 Lucknow on Dussehra 2026?

1:45–2:30 PM local time (IST) on Tuesday 20 October 2026, calculated by the Drik Panchang method. For Varanasi it is 1:37–2:23 PM, for Ayodhya 1:40–2:25 PM and for Prayagraj 1:42–2:27 PM.

What is the Ramnagar Ramlila?

It is a traditional Ramlila staged at Ramnagar, across the Ganga from Varanasi, and is widely known for being performed over about a month, with episodes enacted at different spots in and around the town. The Ramlila tradition of performing the Ramayana was inscribed by UNESCO in 2008 on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Its schedule follows its own traditional calendar, so check current information before planning a visit.

Which is the oldest Ramlila in Lucknow?

The Aishbagh Ramlila is widely described as one of the oldest Ramlilas in Lucknow. We have not stated a founding date because accounts vary; the organising committee is the best source for its history and 2026 programme.

Are Ashtami and Navami on the same day in 2026?

Yes. According to Drik Panchang for India, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday 19 October 2026, so families in Uttar Pradesh who do Kanya pujan on either day will do it on that Monday.

Can I use the Varanasi Vijay Muhurat in the USA or UK?

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 times for Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj were calculated by the Drik Panchang method. We describe the Ramnagar and Aishbagh Ramlilas and the Prayagraj processions in general terms only; we have not given founding dates, schedules or venues because these vary by account and are set each year by the organisers. Check official and organiser announcements, and each temple's official website for current timings.

Related guides

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in Delhi
• Dussehra 2026 in Bihar
• Dussehra 2026 in Uttarakhand
• Dussehra 2026 in Madhya Pradesh
• October 2026 Hindu festival calendar