Dussehra 2026: Canada Date, Muhurat & Flights To India

Last Updated on Sep 11th, 2026 by Kamal Kishor, Leave a Comment

Key Takeaway

• Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is on Tuesday, October 20.
• Vijay Muhurat (the most auspicious time) is approximately 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM.

Introduction

Dussehra in India is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. In some places it is called Vijayadashami and in others as Dasara. Dussehra festival 2026 will be on Tuesday, October 20.

Dussehra is not merely a day festival, but it is the grand finale of a ten-day celebration that starts with Navratri on Sunday, October 11th, 2026. The nine days of Navarra bring forth the celebration of the tenth day, Vijayadashami, when the victory is celebrated through Ramlila performances, Ravana Dahan in different parts of the country and also through grand processions.

Dussehra Festival Dates 2026: The Ten-Day Festival Calendar

Dussehra is not a standalone festival. It is the grand finale of a ten-day spiritual journey.

Day	Date	Tithi	Goddess / Observance
Day 1	Sunday, October 11, 2026	Pratipada	Maa Shailputri – Ghatasthapana
Day 2	Monday, October 12, 2026	Dwitiya	Maa Brahmacharini – Chandra Darshana
Day 3	Tuesday, October 13, 2026	Tritiya	Maa Chandraghanta – Sindoor Tritiya
Day 4	Wednesday, October 14, 2026	Chaturthi	Maa Kushmanda
Day 5	Thursday, October 15, 2026	Panchami	Maa Skandamata – Upang Lalita Vrat
Day 6	Friday, October 16, 2026	Shashthi	Maa Katyayani – Saraswati Avahan
Day 7	Saturday, October 17, 2026	Saptami	Maa Kalaratri – Saraswati Puja
Day 8	Sunday, October 18, 2026	Ashtami	Maa Mahagauri – Durga Ashtami
Day 9	Monday, October 19, 2026	Navami	Maa Siddhidatri – Maha Navami, Sandhi Puja
Day 10	Tuesday, October 20, 2026	Dashami	Vijayadashami (Dussehra) – Ayudha Puja, Durga Visarjan

Do you know?
Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a specific form of Goddess Durga, collectively known as the Navadurga (nine forms of the Goddess).

Dussehra Muhurat & Puja Timings

The most auspicious time for Dussehra rituals is the Vijay Muhurat, a brief afternoon window that is considered highly favourable for new beginnings, victories, and blessings.

Event	Time (IST)
Dashami Tithi Begins	12:50 PM on October 20
Dashami Tithi Ends	2:11 PM on October 21
Vijay Muhurat (Most Auspicious)	1:59 PM – 2:45 PM
Aparahna Puja Window	1:14 PM – 3:30 PM

For Canada (approx. local timings):

City	Approx. Vijay Muhurat
Toronto	2:06 PM – 4:16 PM
Vancouver	2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

Muhurat timings can vary by location and Panchang calculation. For exact timings in your city, consult a reliable local Panchang or temple.

Canada to India Flights for Dussehra Festival 2026

October is a high-demand travel period for Canada-to-India flights. With Navratri (October 11-19) leading into Dussehra (October 20) and Diwali approaching soon after, fares reflect the festive surge.

Here are the regular Canada-to-India routes available around the festival period:

Departure City	Airport	Major India Destinations
Toronto	YYZ	Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai
Vancouver	YVR	Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru
Calgary	YYC	Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad
Montreal	YUL	Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad
Edmonton	YEG	Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad

Airlines Operating These Routes

Air India, Air Canada, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines all offer flights from Canada to India.

Non-stop options: Air India and Air Canada operate direct flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Delhi.

Can’t Find a Convenient Flight to Your Hometown?

A flight from Canada to India may not take you directly to your hometown. You can instead fly to a major international gateway such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, or Ahmedabad and continue by domestic flight.

Unsure which gateway and connection would work best for your final destination? MyTicketsToIndia can assist you with comparing the available options and completing your booking.

What Is Dussehra and Why Is It Celebrated?

The central idea of Dussehra revolves around the victory of good over evil. Its name “Dussehra” comes from two Sanskrit words, Dasha (meaning ten) and Hara (meaning defeat). It translates as “the defeat of the ten-headed one (Ravana).” It directly correlates to the Ramayana. However, there is also another story referenced in Dussehra/Vijay Dashmi, about Ma Durga and the demon Mahishasura. 

The Story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura

In the Devi Mahatmya (one of the Markandeya Puranas), Mahahisasur, the buffalo demon, is said to have earned a boon from the Lord Brahma by years of tapas that rendered him immune to any one of the gods or men.

This way of undertaking, Mahisa said, troubles heaven and earth with his arrogance.

Seeking salvation, the gods directed their divine qualities. They united and conjured Lady Durga a devastating power.

Tall, shining and inexorable. Carrying the armoury of the gods mounted on a lion, Lady Durga clashed with: the battle went on for nine days and nine nights.

On the tenth day, Durga finally defeated and killed Mahishasura, giving her the name Mahishasuramardini (the slayer of Mahishasura). This is the reason why the nine nights of Navratri are linked to the nine forms of Durga, and the tenth day, “Vijayadashami”, celebrates her ultimate victory.

The Story of Lord Rama and Ravana

The other’s story has also been sourced from the epic Ramayana. Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, had also managed to acquire a boon which rendered him all but invincible. In a drunken power trip, he kidnapped Sita, consort of the lord Rama.

Rama and his brother Lakshmana, with a can twelve thousand vanavaara army of Hanuman, fought a war with Ravana. The war lasted for ten days.

On the tenth day, Lauya was killed by Rama with Ravana and saved Sita. Thank god this is why Dussehra is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil.

On Dussehra, huge effigies of the demon king Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad are set on fire in open fields throughout India. The fire is meant to be an expression of the brute force needed to crush evilor ignorance ego greed.

Dussehra Celebration In India 

Delhi & Northern India

Dussehra in Delhi and other parts of northern India involves Ramlila performances, dramatic storytelling of The Ramayana, which occur during the nine nights of Navratri.

On the eleventh day, huge displays of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad effigies are burnt in big grounds while fireworks and festivities take place.

Mysore & Southern India

In Mysore, Dussehra is celebrated with unparalleled grandeur. The Mysore Dasara is a ten-day festival featuring a spectacular procession, cultural performances, and the famous Jamboo Savari a magnificent elephant procession on Vijayadashami.

West Bengal & Eastern India

In West Bengal, Vijayadashami festival marks the culmination of Durga Puja. On this day, idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in rivers and water bodies in a grand procession known as Visarjan.

Kota Dussehra Mela

The Kota Dussehra Mela is one of the well-known Dussehra festivals held across Rajasthan, a state in India, it welcomes a huge number of tourists to watch the festivity, browse through goods and take part in the performances. 

Dussehra in Canada: How Indians Celebrate

Being a Canadian does not mean one’s Dussehra celebration is  private. Indian communities in cities like Toronto Vancouver Calgary, and Ottawa regularly hold public Ramlila, temple programs as well as cultural events to mark the occasion. 

City	What’s Happening
Toronto	Dussehra celebrations at local temples with Ramlila performances and Ravana Dahan
Brampton	Navratri Garba nights leading up to Dussehra; Vijayadashami festival puja at local Hindu temples
Ottawa	Dussehra celebrations at Hindu Temple with special prayers and community gatherings
Vancouver	Community Dussehra events with cultural performances and traditional rituals

Return Flights Route from India to Canada

Planning your return after Dussehra or the festive season? Here are the major routes from India to Canada:

Indian departure	Canadian destinations
Mumbai (BOM)	Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal
Delhi (DEL)	Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton
Hyderabad (HYD)	Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal
Bengaluru (BLR)	Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton

Book Your Return Flights Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is Dussehra in 2026?

A: Dussehra doesn’t ‘start’—it is the tenth day of a festival that begins with Navratri on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Dussehra itself falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Q: What is the difference between Navratri and Dussehra?

A: Navratri is the nine-night festival (October 11–19, 2026) dedicated to Goddess Durga. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is the tenth day that marks the victory of good over evil.

Q: What is the Vijay Muhurat for Dussehra 2026?

A: The Vijay Muhurat is approximately 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM on October 20.

Q: Why is Dussehra celebrated on the tenth day?

A: Dussehra commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana after a ten-day battle. It also marks Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura on the tenth day of the battle.

Q: Is Dussehra celebrated in Canada?

A: Yes. Hindu communities across Canada organise Ramlila performances, temple programmes, and cultural events for Dussehra.

Q: Are flights from Canada to India expensive during Dussehra?

A: Yes. October is a peak travel month with fares often 40-60% higher than off-peak due to Navratri, Dussehra, and the approaching Diwali season.

Q: How early should I book flights for Dussehra?

A: Book as early as possible—ideally 3 to 5 months in advance—for the best fares.

Q: Which Indian cities are best to visit for Dussehra?

A: Delhi and Varanasi for Ramlila and Ravana Dahan. Mysore for the grand Dasara procession. Kolkata for Durga immersion. Kota for the famous Dussehra Mela.

Q: Can I book a round-trip flight for Dussehra?

A: Yes. Round-trip fares on the Canada-India route are generally more cost-effective than two one-way tickets.

Q: Which Canadian cities have flights to India for Dussehra?

A: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Edmonton all have flights connecting to India.

Need Help Booking Canada-to-India Flights for Dussehra?

Got a plan to travel to India for the Dussehra holiday?

Well, if you’re flying from Canada, we can really help.

We know that flying from your city to India can be challenging, and we will guide you through the process step by step:

• Locating a flight from your town to India 
• Seeing different fare and flight options
• Checking your allowed luggage
• Taking care of any changes to your reservations or cancellation

Book Your Canada-to-India Flights Now

Happy Dussehra!

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