Dussehra 2026 in Ayodhya: Ramlila, Ravan Dahan Venues, Vijay Muhurat & Travel Guide

Last updated: 18 October 2026

Dussehra means something different in Ayodhya. Everywhere else in India it is the day Ravan's effigy burns. In Ayodhya it is the day the city's own prince won, and the countdown to his homecoming begins. Within three weeks the same city lights lakhs of diyas for Deepotsav. If you are planning to be in Ayodhya on Vijayadashami 2026, this guide covers the exact date and muhurat, what is really happening with Ramlila this year, where and when Ravan Dahan takes place, how to fit in Ram Mandir darshan, and how to avoid the traffic. Coming back for Diwali too? See the Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 guide, and if you have two days, follow our 2 day Ayodhya itinerary.

Dussehra 2026 at a Glance

Detail	2026
Dussehra / Vijayadashami date	Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Dashami tithi begins	12:50 PM, 20 October 2026
Dashami tithi ends	2:11 PM, 21 October 2026
Vijay Muhurat (Ayodhya, approx.)	1:40 PM – 2:25 PM
Aparahna Puja time (Ayodhya, approx.)	12:54 PM – 3:11 PM
Sunset in Ayodhya	about 5:28 PM
Ravan Dahan in Ayodhya	After sunset, usually 7 PM – 9 PM (set by each Ramlila committee)
Navratri 2026	11 – 19 October (Kanya Pujan on 19 October)
Next big festival in Ayodhya	Deepotsav, Saturday 7 November 2026

Dussehra 2026 Date and Shubh Muhurat

Many people are confused about whether Dussehra 2026 is on 20 or 21 October, because Dashami tithi runs across both days. The rule followed by Drik Panchang and most North Indian calendars is simple: Vijayadashami is observed on the day Dashami is present during the Aparahna (afternoon) period. On 20 October, Dashami begins at 12:50 PM and covers the whole afternoon. On 21 October it ends at 2:11 PM, before the afternoon is over. So Dussehra 2026 in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar and most of North India is on Tuesday, 20 October.

Vijay Muhurat and Sunset by City (20 October 2026)

City	Vijay Muhurat (approx.)	Sunset (approx.)
Ayodhya	1:40 PM – 2:25 PM	5:28 PM
Lucknow	1:45 PM – 2:30 PM	5:33 PM
Varanasi	1:37 PM – 2:23 PM	5:26 PM
New Delhi	1:59 PM – 2:45 PM	5:47 PM

The Vijay Muhurat is the time for Shastra Puja, Aparajita Puja, Shami Puja and starting new work. Ravan Dahan is not tied to the muhurat. It is done after sunset, at a time each Ramlila committee announces. Muhurat times shift by a few minutes from city to city, so check your local panchang before puja.

Note for Bengal and South India: Bijoya Dashami in Bengal and Vidyarambham in Kerala and Karnataka follow their own regional calendars. Some of these fall on 21 October 2026.

Why Dussehra Is Special in Ayodhya

Dussehra celebrates Shri Ram's victory over Ravan, and Ayodhya is Shri Ram's own city. Popular belief holds that Ram returned to Ayodhya on Diwali, about three weeks after Vijayadashami. That is why Ayodhya treats the period from Dussehra to Diwali as one continuous celebration: the Ramlila ends with Ravan Vadh, then come Bharat Milap and Ram Rajyabhishek, and finally the whole city welcomes Ram home with Deepotsav.

For a visitor, this makes Dussehra a good time to see the "everyday" Ayodhya before the Deepotsav crowds arrive. Neighbourhood Ramlilas still draw families every evening, the temples are busy but manageable, and the weather in late October is pleasant: warm afternoons and cool evenings.

Ramlila in Ayodhya 2026: What Is Really Happening

The film-star "Ayodhya Ki Ramlila" has moved to Delhi this year

For the past seven years, the famous film-star Ramlila "Ayodhya Ki Ramlila", founded by Subhash Malik, was staged in Ayodhya and watched online by crores of people. In 2026 it is being held at Mavlankar Hall, Constitution Club, New Delhi, from 10 to 20 October. According to Aaj Tak, the cast includes:

• Ravi Kishan as Lord Ram
• Kaziah Liz Mejo (Miss Universe India 2026) as Mata Sita
• Manoj Tiwari in several roles
• Arun Bakshi as Ravan, Bindu Dara Singh as Kumbhakaran, Avtar Gill as Meghnad and Puneet Issar as Parshuram

If you were planning to watch this Ramlila live in Ayodhya, it is not taking place there this year. You can follow it through the organisers' official online channels.

Background: In 2025, the Ayodhya district administration did not give permission for a planned 240-foot Ravan effigy dahan at this Ramlila, held at Ram Katha Park. It cited security and crowd-control concerns and called the event "non-traditional". The Ramlila itself continued that year.

Ayodhya's local Ramlilas: schedule for 2026

Ayodhya's real Ramlila tradition lives in its neighbourhoods. These are the schedules reported by local news for 2026:

Ramlila	Ravan Vadh / Dahan	After Dussehra
Pratap Nagar Ramlila Mahotsav	Tuesday, 20 October	Lav-Kush Lila till 21 Oct; Bharat Milap procession 22 Oct; Rajyabhishek 24 Oct
Baba Ka Purwa Ramlila	Tuesday, 20 October	Ram Barat and Bharat Milap 21 Oct; Raj Gaddi 22 Oct

Small Ramlilas are also held across Ayodhya and Faizabad city in mohallas and temple courtyards. Local committees set their own timings, so ask your hotel or driver which ground is closest. The Ayodhya divisional administration held a review meeting on 14 October 2026 on traffic diversion, crowd management and safety at Ravan Dahan sites. Expect police barricading and diversions near the grounds on the evening of 20 October.

Ravan Dahan in Ayodhya: Time, Venues and Crowd Tips

• Time: after sunset, which is about 5:28 PM in Ayodhya. Most committees finish the Ramlila episode first and light the effigy between 7 PM and 9 PM.
• Where: at the local Ramlila grounds listed above and in neighbourhood maidans. There is no single official city-wide Ravan Dahan venue in Ayodhya Dham. Confirm the ground and time on the day.
• Arrive early: reach the ground by 6 PM for a good view. Families with children should stand towards the back or the sides, away from the effigy and the fireworks.
• Traffic: expect diversions from late afternoon. Keep your car at the hotel or a parking area and use an e-rickshaw for the last stretch. See the Ayodhya parking guide.
• Safety: keep children's hands held, avoid synthetic dupattas near fireworks, and agree on a meeting point in case someone gets separated.
• Health: elders with asthma or breathing problems should watch from a distance, as there is a lot of smoke and noise.

Ram Mandir Darshan on Dussehra

Many families want to begin Vijayadashami with Ram Lalla's darshan. That is a good plan, if you do it in the morning.

• Go early: the morning slot is the calmest. In the afternoon and evening, crowds and traffic build up around the Ramlila grounds. Check the Ram Mandir darshan timing.
• Book the free Sugam Darshan pass on the official site online.srjbtkshetra.org. Help: Ram Mandir online pass kaise banaye. Paid "VIP darshan" offers are not genuine. Read Ram Mandir VIP darshan: real or fake.
• Phones and bags are not allowed inside. Use the free locker. See Ram Mandir locker and mobile rules.
• Know where cars stop: Ram Mandir car drop point.
• With elderly parents: a free Trust wheelchair is available. See Ram Mandir wheelchair facility.

Official notices about darshan and crowd arrangements are posted on the Trust website srjbtkshetra.org.

A One-Day Dussehra Plan in Ayodhya

Time	What to do
6:00 – 7:00 AM	Saryu snan or a quiet walk at Ram Ki Paidi
7:30 – 10:30 AM	Ram Mandir darshan (phones in the locker)
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM	Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan. See the Hanuman Garhi guide
1:40 – 2:25 PM	Vijay Muhurat: Shastra Puja, Shami Puja or starting new work (at your hotel or a temple)
2:30 – 4:30 PM	Lunch and rest (some temples close for a few hours in the afternoon)
4:45 – 5:45 PM	Sunset and Saryu Aarti. See the Saryu Aarti guide
6:00 – 9:00 PM	Ramlila and Ravan Dahan at a local ground

Staying two days? Use the 21st for Guptar Ghat, Bharat Kund and a relaxed second darshan. Our 2 day Ayodhya itinerary has the full plan.

Dussehra Rituals You Can Do in Ayodhya

• Shastra Puja: worship of weapons, tools and vehicles during the Vijay Muhurat. Many drivers in Ayodhya decorate their cars and e-rickshaws on this day.
• Shami Puja: worship of the Shami tree. Tradition holds that the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their exile.
• Aparajita Puja: worship of Goddess Aparajita for victory and protection, done in the afternoon.
• Neelkanth darshan: spotting the Neelkanth (Indian roller) bird on Dussehra is considered auspicious in North India.
• Durga Visarjan: idols from Navratri pandals are immersed around Dussehra. Visarjan processions may cause extra traffic in Ayodhya and Faizabad city.

Dussehra Near Ayodhya: Lucknow, Varanasi and Prayagraj

City	What's special	Distance from Ayodhya
Lucknow	Aishbagh Ramlila, one of the city's oldest: Ramotsav 11–22 October, with a 70-ft moving Ravan effigy burnt on 20 October	about 135 km
Varanasi	Ramnagar Ramlila, a month-long Ramlila on the Ganga's eastern bank, linked to the Maharaja of Banaras. Ramlila is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list (2008)	about 210–220 km. See Varanasi to Ayodhya distance
Prayagraj	Famous Dussehra processions with decorated tableaux; routes set by local committees	about 165 km. See the Ayodhya to Prayagraj tour

Combining two cities? Our Ayodhya Prayagraj Varanasi tour covers all three in one trip.

From Dussehra to Deepotsav: Ayodhya's Festival Countdown 2026

Date	Festival in Ayodhya
20 October (Tue)	Dussehra: Ramlila and Ravan Vadh
21 – 24 October	Bharat Milap and Ram Rajyabhishek at local Ramlilas
25 October (Sun)	Sharad Purnima: Saryu snan and kheer under the moon
27 October (Tue)	Kartik month begins: daily Saryu snan and deep daan
7 November (Sat)	Deepotsav: lakhs of diyas on the Saryu ghats. See the Deepotsav 2026 guide
8 November (Sun)	Diwali

Hotels fill up fast for Deepotsav. If you are coming for Dussehra and want to return for Deepotsav, book both trips now.

Travel Tips for Dussehra in Ayodhya

• Where to stay: a hotel near Ram Path keeps you close to the temples and the ghats. See hotels near Ram Mandir.
• How to reach: by air to Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, or by train to Ayodhya Dham Junction or Ayodhya Cantt. See airport to Ram Mandir. Book train tickets on IRCTC early, as festival trains fill quickly.
• Weather: about 30–32°C in the afternoon and 18–20°C at night. Carry a light shawl for the evening Ramlila.
• Evening transport: book your cab or e-rickshaw for the return in advance. Autos are hard to find right after Ravan Dahan.
• Food: jalebi and local sweets are a Dussehra tradition. See the Ayodhya street food guide.

Plan Your Dussehra or Deepotsav Trip with Us

We arrange cabs, hotels near Ram Path and help with booking the free darshan pass for Dussehra and Deepotsav. We never sell darshan passes. See our Ram Mandir tour package or Ayodhya cab service.

FAQ: Dussehra 2026 in Ayodhya

When is Dussehra 2026?

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 is on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Dashami tithi begins at 12:50 PM on 20 October and ends at 2:11 PM on 21 October.

Dussehra 2026 kab hai, 20 ya 21 October?

Dussehra 2026 Tuesday, 20 October ko hai. Dashami tithi 20 October dopahar 12:50 baje shuru hokar 21 October dopahar 2:11 baje khatam hogi. Aparahna kaal me Dashami 20 tareekh ko hai, isliye Vijayadashami 20 October ko manayi jayegi.

What is the Vijay Muhurat on Dussehra 2026?

In Ayodhya, the Vijay Muhurat is about 1:40 PM to 2:25 PM on 20 October 2026. In New Delhi it is about 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM, and in Lucknow about 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM.

What time is Ravan Dahan in Ayodhya on Dussehra 2026?

Ravan Dahan is held after sunset, which is about 5:28 PM in Ayodhya on 20 October. Most local Ramlila committees light the effigy between 7 PM and 9 PM. Each committee announces its own time.

Is "Ayodhya Ki Ramlila" with film stars being held in Ayodhya in 2026?

No. In 2026 the film-star "Ayodhya Ki Ramlila" is being staged at Mavlankar Hall, Constitution Club, New Delhi, from 10 to 20 October, with Ravi Kishan as Ram. Ayodhya's local neighbourhood Ramlilas continue as usual.

Where can I watch Ramlila and Ravan Dahan in Ayodhya?

Local Ramlilas such as the Pratap Nagar Ramlila Mahotsav and Baba Ka Purwa Ramlila hold Ravan Vadh on 20 October 2026. Many smaller mohalla Ramlilas also take place. Ask your hotel for the nearest ground and reach by 6 PM.

Is Ram Mandir open on Dussehra?

Yes, Ram Mandir is open for darshan on Dussehra. Go in the morning slot with a free Sugam Darshan pass, and keep phones and bags in the locker. Check the official Trust website for any special arrangements.

When is Bharat Milap in Ayodhya in 2026?

Local Ramlilas hold Bharat Milap just after Dussehra. Baba Ka Purwa Ramlila has it on 21 October, and the Pratap Nagar Ramlila Mahotsav holds its Bharat Milap procession on 22 October 2026.

How many days after Dussehra is Deepotsav in 2026?

Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 is on Saturday, 7 November, 18 days after Dussehra. Diwali is on 8 November 2026.

Which is the best Ramlila to see near Ayodhya?

For tradition, the Ramnagar Ramlila in Varanasi is the most famous. It is month-long and linked to the Maharaja of Banaras. For a big city celebration, Lucknow's Aishbagh Ramlila burns a 70-ft moving Ravan effigy on 20 October 2026.

What should I avoid in Ayodhya on Dussehra evening?

Avoid driving close to Ramlila grounds after 5 PM, standing too close to the effigy, and leaving without a return cab arranged. Keep children close, and keep elders with breathing problems away from the smoke.

Dussehra par kaun si puja karni chahiye?

Dussehra par Vijay Muhurat me Shastra Puja, Shami Puja aur Aparajita Puja ki jaati hai. Shaam ko Ramlila aur Ravan Dahan dekha jata hai. Neelkanth pakshi ke darshan bhi shubh maane jaate hain.

Coming to Ayodhya for Dussehra or Deepotsav? Tell us your dates and group size, and we'll plan your cab, hotel and darshan timing. Send an enquiry and we'll reply on WhatsApp.