Vijayadashami, also called Dussehra, falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. It is the tenth and final day of Navratri, marking Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura - the triumph of good over evil that gives the festival its name.

The day closes the nine nights of worship. Durga idols are immersed, effigies of Ravana are burned in North India, and across the UAE families mark the day quietly at home with a short puja and the reading of the Vijayadashami katha.

Vijayadashami 2026 - date and muhurat for Dubai

These are UAE-local timings calculated for Dubai, not copied from an Indian listing - they run roughly 90 minutes behind the windows most panchang sites publish for New Delhi or Mumbai, because tithi is calculated against local sunrise. For the exact Panchang on any day of Navratri, see our UAE Hindu Calendar.

Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja and Seema Avalanghan are traditionally performed during Aparahna Kaal - the afternoon third of the day - which is why the Aparahna Puja window runs over two hours rather than the shorter, more precise Vijay Muhurat.

Why Bengal observes Vijayadashami a day later

Bengali Durga Puja tradition follows Dashami Tithi differently, and in 2026 that puts Bengal's Durga Visarjan on Wednesday 21 October, a day after the Vijay Muhurat observed elsewhere. If your household follows Bengali custom, plan idol immersion for the 21st rather than the 20th.

The story behind Vijayadashami

Two narratives converge on this day. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana after a fourteen-year exile and the abduction of Sita - his return to Ayodhya afterwards is celebrated twenty days later as Diwali. Separately, Goddess Durga's nine-night battle against Mahishasura ends in her victory on this tenth day. Both stories carry the same idea: righteousness prevailing over what opposes it, however long the fight takes.

Rituals of the day

Ayudha Puja, begun on Maha Navami, often continues into Vijayadashami in the south, with tools and vehicles kept in worship through the transition. Saraswati Puja is observed by some families on this day too, seeking blessings for learning before starting something new. Durga idols set up for Navratri are immersed, and Aparajita - a small climbing plant - is worshipped as part of Aparajita Puja, asking for continued protection through the year.

Celebrating Vijayadashami in the UAE

Across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, Vijayadashami is usually a quiet close to the festival rather than a public event - most households do not have access to a river or the sea for idol immersion, so a small bowl of water at home, or immersion at a community event where one is organised, takes its place. A few practical notes:

Use the Vijay Muhurat for anything you want to begin. 1:59 PM to 2:44 PM Dubai time is traditionally considered auspicious for starting new ventures, signing documents, or beginning a course of study.

If your Navdurga frame has served you all nine nights, this is the day to close the ghat. Offer a final aarti, then pack the frame away until next year rather than leaving it up indefinitely.

Bengali households in the UAE should plan for the 21st. Community Durga Visarjan events, where they exist, will likely follow the Bengal date rather than the Vijay Muhurat date.

Related reads

Navratri 2026: Dates, Colours and Ghatasthapana Guide for UAE

Maha Navami 2026: Tithi Timings and Navami Puja Guide for UAE