Dussehra wishes for the day good wins.

When is Dussehra 2026?

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, falls on Tuesday 20 October in 2026. It's the tenth day after the nine nights of Navratri begin, and it follows the Hindu lunar calendar, which is why the date moves each year; the explainer on why festival dates change goes through how. It's a public holiday across India. Diwali is about three weeks later.

What is Dussehra?

A festival of victory, remembered in two main stories. In much of north and central India, it marks Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana, and the festival closes the Ramlila plays that retell the story. In Bengal, Odisha, Assam and elsewhere in the east, it's the last day of Durga Puja, when the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura is celebrated. Both stories mean the same thing to a person sending a greeting: good wins.

How is it celebrated?

In the north, large effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad are burned at dusk, usually at a fair with food stalls, rides and a crowd. In Gujarat, many families eat fafda and jalebi on the morning of Dussehra. In Bengal, the images of Durga are immersed, people embrace and visit elders to touch their feet, and greetings of Shubho Bijoya go round for days. In Karnataka, Mysuru's Dasara is a ten-day public festival, and in Maharashtra, people exchange the leaves of the apta tree as "gold" and touch the feet of elders.

Why is it a day for new beginnings?

Because it's the day of victory, and Vijayadashami is widely held to be auspicious for starting something new: a business, a course, a vehicle or a first lesson. In Kerala, many children write their first letters on this day, in the ceremony called Vidyarambham. In south India, tools, books and vehicles are worshipped around Navami and Dashami in Ayudha Puja. A wish that mentions a new start suits the day, and the New beginnings filter has three.

What do you write in a Dussehra message?

Something short and hopeful, tied to the theme: truth, courage, or a win over something you've been struggling with. "May truth always win, kindness always lead and fear never stay" works for anyone. For family, add the mela, the jalebi or the evening plans. For friends, a small joke about burning your to-do list is welcome. For elders, lead with the blessing and use आप.

Greetings by region

Across much of India, "Dussehra ki shubhkamnayein" or "Vijayadashami ki hardik badhai" works. Bengali friends say "Shubho Bijoya" after the last day of Durga Puja, usually with sweets and a visit. In Maharashtra, "Dasara chya hardik shubhechha" (दसऱ्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा) is the standard. If you're not sure which one fits, "Happy Dussehra" or "Happy Vijayadashami" is understood everywhere.

How do you wish elders?

With a blessing and respect: "Pranam, and happy Dussehra. Your blessings are what we celebrate this Vijayadashami." Use आप, and call them by their relation, like Dadaji or Chachi. In many families the real greeting is a visit, so a message is for the people you can't see. Send it in the morning, before they leave for the day's rituals.

What do you send clients and colleagues?

A short, warm note: thank them for the year, wish them and their family a happy Dussehra, and stop. Send it a day or two before, since Dussehra is a holiday and inboxes empty out. For the team, a line about winning and new beginnings suits the day. Some workplaces hold a small Ayudha or Shastra Puja, so a message that mentions it shows you know the office. The Work filter has six lines.

What should the caption be for a Ravan Dahan photo?

Short, with a smile: "Ravan burnt, jalebi eaten, family home. Happy Dussehra!" Keep it about the evening, not the effigy. If you've shared a photo of a crowd, tag the people in it and avoid posting children's faces without their parents' say-so.

When should you send it?

On the morning of Dashami for family and friends, so it's the first thing they read, and the day before for clients and colleagues, since the holiday empties inboxes. A caption for the evening photo can wait until the effigy has burned. If you're sending wishes to people who celebrate Durga Puja, a Shubho Bijoya message after Dashami is still welcome for a few days. After that, the next greeting on the calendar is Karva Chauth, then Diwali.

Dussehra wishes in Hindi

"दशहरे की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ" is the standard, and "विजयादशमी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ" is the more formal version, good for elders and clients. Add a blessing for family: "भगवान राम का आशीर्वाद आप पर सदा बना रहे". In Hinglish, "Dussehra ki dher saari shubhkamnayein" suits friends and the family group. The Hindi lines on this page use आप for elders and avoid gendered verbs, so they work whoever is writing.