What is Vijayadashami Puja?
Vijayadashami is one of the few days considered auspicious from sunrise to sunset, so families choose it for starting education (Vidyarambham / Aksharabhyasam), new businesses, buying vehicles and gold, and worshipping the tools of their work. The main puja is done in the aparahna (afternoon) — Aparajita puja, Shami puja and Seemollanghan.
In Telangana and Andhra families exchange Jammi (Shami) leaves as gold and pray at the Jammi tree; Karnataka watches the Mysuru Dasara procession; North India burns Ravana’s effigy; Bengal bids farewell to Durga with Sindoor Khela.
Vijayadashami 2026 date and puja time
- Vijayadashami (Dussehra)
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026Aparajita & Shami puja in the afternoon
- Maha Navami · Ayudha puja
- Tuesday, 20 October 2026
- Durga Ashtami
- Monday, 19 October 2026
- Navratri
- Sunday, 11 October 2026 – Tuesday, 20 October 2026
When is Dussehra 2026? Vijayadashami (Dussehra / Dasara) 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the tenth day of Ashwin Shukla Paksha, after Sharad Navratri.
What is the best time for Vijayadashami puja? The Aparajita and Shami puja is done in the aparahna (afternoon); the Vijay muhurat in the afternoon is considered best for new beginnings.
Dates are calculated by Stuti Mandir’s panchang for sunrise at Hyderabad; in a few places a tithi can fall a day apart, and your pandit confirms the muhurat for your city.
Benefits and best time for Vijayadashami Puja
Benefits
- Victory and success in new ventures
- An auspicious start for education, business and vehicles
- Completion of the Navratri vrat with visarjan
- Protection of the family, home and livelihood
When to perform
- Vijayadashami (Ashwin Shukla Dashami), in the aparahna (afternoon) muhurat
- Vijay muhurat for new beginnings
- After Maha Navami, to conclude Navratri
Vijayadashami Puja vidhi (step by step)
- 1Ganapati puja and sankalpam
- 2Uttara puja and visarjan of the Navratri kalash (if kept)
- 3Aparajita Devi puja in the afternoon
- 4Shami (Jammi) tree puja and exchange of Shami leaves
- 5Ayudha / vehicle / business puja (if included)
- 6Aksharabhyasam or Vidyarambham for children (if included)
- 7Harathi and prasadam
Vijayadashami Puja samagri list
- Aparajita flowers or picture of Devi
- Shami (Jammi) leaves
- Kumkum, turmeric, akshata and red flowers
- Coconut, betel leaves and fruits
- Lamps, camphor and incense
- Books, pens or slate (for Aksharabhyasam)
- Lemons and ash gourd (for vehicle / Ayudha puja)
Your pandit confirms the exact list after booking; you can add a Stuti Mandir samagri kit to your order.
Vijayadashami Puja across India’s traditions
Telugu tradition
Telugu families do Shami (Jammi) puja on Vijayadashami, exchange Jammi leaves as gold, see the Palapitta bird for luck, and many begin Aksharabhyasam on this day.
Kannada tradition
Karnataka celebrates Vijayadashami with Banni (Shami) puja, the exchange of Banni leaves and the Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari.
Tamil tradition
Tamil families take back the books and tools kept for Ayudha puja and begin Vidyarambham with children writing in rice.
Malayalam tradition
Kerala observes Vidyarambham on Vijayadashami — children write their first letters in rice under a guru or priest.
Marathi tradition
Maharashtrian families do Shami and Aparajita puja, cross the village boundary (seemollanghan) and exchange apta leaves as gold.
Hindi tradition
North India celebrates Dussehra with Ramlila, Shastra puja and the burning of Ravana’s effigy at sunset.
Gujarati tradition
Gujarati families do Shastra puja and celebrate with fafda-jalebi after the nine nights of garba.
Bengali tradition
Bengal observes Bijoya Dashami with Durga visarjan and Sindoor Khela, followed by Bijoya greetings and sweets.
Odia tradition
Odisha observes Dussehra with Durga visarjan and Aparajita puja; Ravana Podi is held in many towns.
Book Vijayadashami Puja in your city
Telangana
Andhra Pradesh
- Visakhapatnam
- Vijayawada
- Guntur
- Tirupati
- Nellore
- Kurnool
- Kadapa
- Anantapur
- Rajahmundry
- Kakinada
- Eluru
- Ongole
- Srikakulam
- Vizianagaram
- Chittoor
Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
Kerala
Maharashtra
Delhi NCR
Uttar Pradesh (Delhi NCR)
Haryana (Delhi NCR)
Rajasthan
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Chandigarh (Punjab & Haryana)
Bihar
Gujarat
West Bengal
Odisha
Chhattisgarh
Uttarakhand
Punjab
Jammu and Kashmir
Jharkhand
Assam
Why book Vijayadashami Puja with Stuti Mandir
Verified pandits
Every pandit’s profile is reviewed and approved by Stuti Mandir before they can take bookings. See their languages and experience before you choose.
Price shown upfront
Dakshina, fees and taxes are itemised before you pay, so there is no haggling on the day.
Live pandit tracking
Follow your pandit on a live map from the moment they start their journey, just like a delivery app.
OTP-verified pooja
You confirm the pandit’s arrival and the pooja’s completion with one-time codes.
Your language, your tradition
Choose a pandit who speaks your language and follows your family’s customs.
Samagri made easy
Get the full samagri list after booking, or add a samagri kit to your order.
How to book Vijayadashami Puja
- 1
Choose Vijayadashami Puja and a verified pandit — compare their languages, experience and price.
- 2
Pick a date and time slot and add any muhurtham preference.
- 3
Pay securely online (UPI, cards, net banking), or choose pay-after-pooja where it is offered.
- 4
On the day, track your pandit live, confirm their arrival with an OTP, and share the completion code once the pooja is done.
Frequently asked questions
When is Vijayadashami 2026?
Vijayadashami (Dussehra) 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Maha Navami and Ayudha puja fall on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
How do I book a pandit for Dussehra 2026?
Open the Vijayadashami puja booking page, choose a verified pandit and a time on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, and pay online — or send your details on WhatsApp and Stuti Mandir arranges a pandit for you.
How much does Vijayadashami Puja cost?
On Stuti Mandir, Vijayadashami Puja starts from ₹6,500 as pandit dakshina for 1 pandit. The final price depends on your city, the pandit you choose, samagri and express booking, and is shown in full before you pay.
How long does Vijayadashami Puja take?
About 1 to 2 hours, performed by 1 pandit.
What time should Vijayadashami puja be done?
The Aparajita and Shami puja is done in the aparahna (afternoon), and the Vijay muhurat in the afternoon is considered best for new beginnings. Your pandit gives the exact time for your city from the panchangam.
Can I do Aksharabhyasam on Vijayadashami?
Yes. Vijayadashami is one of the most popular days for Aksharabhyasam (Vidyarambham). Add it when booking or tell us on WhatsApp and the pandit brings everything needed.
Can I book vehicle puja on Dussehra?
Yes. Ayudha and vehicle puja can be done on Maha Navami or Vijayadashami at your home, office, shop or factory.
Can I book a pandit who speaks my language for Vijayadashami Puja?
Yes. Stuti Mandir has Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali and Odia-speaking pandits, depending on the city; each pandit’s languages are shown on their profile.
In which cities can I book Vijayadashami Puja?
Vijayadashami Puja can be booked in 85 cities including Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Khammam and Visakhapatnam. Choose your city below for local details.