Ravana Dahan 2026 Time: Dussehra Evening Muhurat & Details

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is being celebrated today, Tuesday, October 20, across India. While the day puja happens in the afternoon, the highlight for most families is Ravana Dahan in the evening, when giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath are set on fire at local Ramlila grounds. According to Drik Panchang (New Delhi), the Vijay Muhurat is 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM and the Aparahna Puja time is 01:14 PM to 03:30 PM. Ravana Dahan takes place after sunset, which is around 5:50 PM in Delhi today.

Ravana Dahan 2026 Time: Dussehra Evening Muhurat & Details

When Is Ravana Dahan on Dussehra 2026?

Ravana Dahan is held on the evening of Vijayadashami, Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The burning of the effigies begins after sunset. In Delhi, sunset today is around 5:50 PM, so most Ramlila grounds light the effigies between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Organisers often adjust the exact time by 15 to 30 minutes, so reaching the ground by 6 PM is a safe plan.

Vijayadashami 2026 Timings at a Glance (New Delhi)

Here are all the timings from this post in one place, so you can screenshot them. All are for New Delhi as listed by Drik Panchang.

WhatTime (October 20, 2026)
Dashami Tithi begins12:50 PM
Aparahna Puja time01:14 PM to 03:30 PM
Vijay Muhurat01:59 PM to 02:45 PM
Shravana Nakshatra ends06:02 PM
Sunset (Drik Panchang day panchang)05:47 PM
Ravana Dahan at most groundsAfter sunset, usually 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Dashami Tithi ends02:11 PM on October 21

Vijay Muhurat in other cities

The Vijay Muhurat shifts with your city's local time. Drik Panchang lists these windows for Dussehra 2026:

CityVijay Muhurat
New Delhi01:59 PM to 02:45 PM
Ahmedabad02:20 PM to 03:06 PM
Mumbai02:19 PM to 03:06 PM
Pune02:16 PM to 03:02 PM
Jaipur02:06 PM to 02:51 PM
Bengaluru02:02 PM to 02:49 PM
Hyderabad01:57 PM to 02:44 PM
Chennai01:51 PM to 02:39 PM
Kolkata01:17 PM to 02:03 PM
Chandigarh02:00 PM to 02:46 PM

If your city is not listed, open Drik Panchang, set your city at the top of the page, and read the timing there.

What Is the Vijay Muhurat on Dussehra 2026?

The most auspicious short window on Vijayadashami is the Vijay Muhurat. As per Drik Panchang for New Delhi:

  • Vijay Muhurat: 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM (duration 45 minutes)
  • Shravana Nakshatra: ends at 06:02 PM on October 20

Shastra and weapon worship (Shastra Puja) is traditionally done in this window, especially by those in the armed forces and by business owners.

What Is the Aparahna Puja Time on Vijayadashami 2026?

For those performing the Vijayadashami puja at home, the Aparahna (afternoon) window applies:

  • Aparahna Puja Time: 01:14 PM to 03:30 PM (duration 2 hours 16 minutes)
  • Dashami Tithi begins: 12:50 PM on October 20, 2026
  • Dashami Tithi ends: 02:11 PM on October 21, 2026

Why Do We Burn Ravana on Dussehra?

Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who had abducted Sita. Ramlila performances retell the story over the Navratri days, and on Vijayadashami the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnath are burnt to symbolise the triumph of good over evil. In eastern India, the same period is celebrated as Durga Puja, marking Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura, and idols are immersed on Vijayadashami.

Drik Panchang also lists Goddess Aparajita and the Shami tree among those worshipped on Vijayadashami, along with Lord Rama. Many families add Shastra Puja or simple worship of their tools, books or vehicles to the day, and then join the community for Ravana Dahan in the evening.

How to Plan Your Evening at a Ravana Dahan Ground

Ravana Dahan is a happy, noisy, crowded event. A little planning makes it easier for the whole family, every year.

  1. Find the time from the organisers. Local Ramlila committees usually share the effigy-burning time through banners, local news or their social media pages. Use that over any general time you see online.
  2. Reach early. Roads near big grounds are often closed or slow in the evening. Arriving well before sunset gives you time to park, walk in and find a good spot.
  3. Choose your spot carefully. Stay behind the barricades and well back from the effigies. Burning effigies throw sparks, and firecrackers inside them can go off in different directions.
  4. Fix a meeting point. Agree on one landmark where everyone meets if you get separated. With small children, write a parent's phone number on a card in their pocket.
  5. Leave in a calm way. The crowd moves at once when the effigies fall. Waiting 10 to 15 minutes before walking out is often easier than pushing through the rush.

Quick checklist before you leave home

  • Phone charged, and a small amount of cash for snacks and parking
  • Water bottle and a light snack for children
  • Cotton clothes; avoid loose dupattas or synthetic fabric near sparks and fireworks
  • Earplugs or cotton for little ones and anyone sensitive to loud sounds
  • A mask or handkerchief if smoke bothers you
  • Comfortable footwear for standing and walking

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Standing too close for photos. Zoom in with your phone instead of walking towards the effigy.
  • Trusting a fixed clock time. As noted above, organisers often shift the time by 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Bringing your own fireworks into the crowd. Leave the fireworks to the organisers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dussehra on October 20 or October 21 in 2026?
For most of India, Vijayadashami is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Bengal Vijayadashami (Durga Visarjan) falls a day later, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, because the Dashami tithi continues into the next afternoon.

What time does Ravana Dahan start today?
Ravana Dahan starts after sunset. In Delhi, sunset on October 20 is around 5:50 PM, and most grounds burn the effigies between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Check your local Ramlila committee for the exact time.

What is the best time for Dussehra puja at home?
The Aparahna Puja time of 01:14 PM to 03:30 PM is the recommended window for the Vijayadashami puja. The shorter Vijay Muhurat from 01:59 PM to 02:45 PM is considered the most powerful part of it.

Is Dussehra a public holiday in India?
Yes, Dussehra is a gazetted holiday, so schools, banks and most government offices remain closed on October 20, 2026.

Is it safe to take small children to Ravana Dahan?
Yes, with care. Stand well behind the barricades, protect their ears from the loud bursts, keep them in cotton clothes, and fix a meeting point in case you get separated in the crowd.

Also Read

Sources

Last verified: October 20, 2026. Muhurat timings are for New Delhi as per Drik Panchang; timings vary slightly by city, so confirm with your local panchang or Ramlila committee.

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