Dussehra 2026 in Uttarakhand: Date, Vijay Muhurat for Dehradun and Haridwar, Almora Dussehra and Kumaoni Ramlila

Quick answer: Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Uttarakhand is on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The Vijay Muhurat is 1:55 to 2:41 PM in Dehradun and 1:55 to 2:40 PM in Haridwar (Drik Panchang, local time). Navratri begins on Sunday 11 October, and Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall together on Monday 19 October 2026.

In Uttarakhand, the Dev Bhoomi of the Himalaya, Dussehra combines the devotion of the Garhwal and Kumaon hills with the scale of the plains. Almora's Dussehra is famous for its parade of giant, intricately crafted effigies; Kumaon's sung Ramlila is a unique musical theatre tradition; Haridwar and Rishikesh celebrate on the banks of the Ganga; and the great Devi shrines of the state draw pilgrims through Navratri. This guide covers 2026 dates, Vijay Muhurat, regional traditions and tips for families from Uttarakhand living abroad.

Dussehra 2026 key dates (India)

Vijayadashami is fixed on 20 October because Dashami covers the afternoon of that day. With Ashtami and Navami on the same date this year, Kanya Pujan for both falls on Monday 19 October 2026.

Vijay Muhurat 2026 for Uttarakhand cities

Timings for 20 October 2026, from Drik Panchang, in local time:

Use this window for Shami and Aparajita puja, Shastra puja and beginning new work or studies. For hill towns such as Almora, Nainital or Pithoragarh, which lie further east, the window will be a few minutes earlier; check a local panchang.

Uttarakhand's Dussehra traditions

Almora Dussehra and its effigies

Almora, the cultural capital of Kumaon, holds one of the most distinctive Dussehra celebrations in North India. Instead of a single Ravana, different neighbourhoods (mohallas) of the town create large effigies of Ravana and members of his family and army, such as Kumbhakarna, Meghnad and other figures from the Ramayana. Craftsmen and volunteers spend weeks building them, and the effigies are known for their expressive faces and artistry. On Dussehra, they are paraded through the town's streets in a festive procession before the Ravana effigies are burned. The procession draws large crowds from across Kumaon; details are announced locally each year.

Kumaoni Ramlila

Kumaon is known for its musical Ramlila, in which the Ramayana is sung rather than spoken, using raga-based melodies and drawing on the Ramcharitmanas and the conventions of Parsi theatre. Almora is regarded as one of the centres of this tradition, and performances are staged during Navratri in towns across the region, including Nainital, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. Many troupes rehearse for weeks, and roles are often passed down within families. Watching a night of Kumaoni Ramlila is one of the best ways to experience Uttarakhand's Navratri.

Garhwal, Dehradun and the plains

In Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Roorkee and Haldwani, Ramlila stages and Ravan Dahan on large grounds attract big crowds on Vijayadashami evening. In Garhwal, villages mark the festival with worship of local deities and family rituals, alongside Ramlila performances. Venues and times are announced by local committees each year.

Haridwar and Rishikesh

For many pilgrims, Navratri and Dussehra are an occasion for a holy dip in the Ganga and the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar or at the ghats of Rishikesh. Expect large crowds on festival days.

Navratri at Uttarakhand's Devi temples

Navratri is a major pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand. In Haridwar, the hilltop temples of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi, together with Maya Devi in the town, are among the most visited shrines. Kunjapuri near Rishikesh and Surkanda Devi near Dhanaulti are counted among the Siddhapeethas of Garhwal, and Dhari Devi on the Alaknanda is revered as a guardian goddess of the region. In Kumaon, Naina Devi on the shore of Nainital lake and Purnagiri near Tanakpur draw many devotees. Check each temple's official website or local information for current timings and arrangements before you travel.

What to do on Vijayadashami

• Aparajita and Shami puja: worship of the goddess of victory and the Shami tree in the afternoon, ideally during the Vijay Muhurat.
• Shastra puja: clean and worship tools, vehicles, books and laptops.
• Barley shoots: many hill families sow barley during Navratri, and on Dussehra the shoots are offered to the deity and placed on the heads or behind the ears of family members as a blessing.
• Blessings from elders: touch the feet of elders and share sweets.
• Ravan Dahan: watch the effigies burn after sunset, a reminder that dharma prevails over arrogance.

For Uttarakhandi families abroad

• Do not convert Dehradun's Vijay Muhurat into your time zone. Use a panchang for your city or your temple's calendar.
• Tuesday 20 October 2026 is a working day in most countries. Do a short evening puja and join your local temple's Dussehra programme on the weekend.
• Sow barley in a small pot during Navratri and use the shoots on Dussehra, just as families do in the hills.
• Share recordings of Kumaoni Ramlila songs or videos of the Almora procession with children to keep the tradition alive.
• Cook a pahadi festive dish such as singal or aloo ke gutke to share with friends.

For the meaning of Dussehra and a full puja procedure, see our Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 pillar guide. Planning a pilgrimage? See our Kedarnath Temple guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dussehra 2026 in Uttarakhand?

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

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Dehradun on Dussehra 2026?

1:55 to 2:41 PM in Dehradun and 1:55 to 2:40 PM in Haridwar, local time on 20 October 2026 (Drik Panchang).

What is special about Almora Dussehra?

Almora is known for its procession of large, artistically made effigies of Ravana and members of his family and army, crafted by different neighbourhoods of the town and paraded through the streets on Dussehra before the Ravana effigies are burned.

What is Kumaoni Ramlila?

It is a musical style of Ramlila in which the Ramayana is sung in raga-based melodies, influenced by Ramcharitmanas and Parsi theatre, rather than spoken. It is performed through Navratri in Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh and other Kumaon towns, often with all-male casts and rehearsals that begin weeks in advance.

Can I use Dehradun's muhurat timings abroad?

No. Muhurat timings depend on local sunrise and sunset and cannot simply be converted to another time zone. Use a panchang calculated for your city or your 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 procession routes, Ramlila schedules or Ravan Dahan venues because these are announced locally each year. Temple timings change, so check the temple's official website.

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