Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat: Quick Answer
The Vijay Muhurat on Dussehra 2026 (Tuesday, 20 October) is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM in New Delhi. It is the most powerful window of Vijayadashami for starting a new business, buying a vehicle or property, beginning studies, signing important agreements, Shastra Puja and setting out on a journey. Avoid Rahu Kaal, which on this Tuesday falls from about 2:56 PM to 4:21 PM in Delhi — immediately after the Vijay Muhurat.
| City | Vijay Muhurat (20 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 1:59 – 2:45 PM |
| Jaipur | 2:06 – 2:51 PM |
| Lucknow | 1:45 – 2:31 PM |
| Mumbai | 2:19 – 3:06 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 2:20 – 3:06 PM |
| Kolkata | 1:17 – 2:03 PM |
| Bengaluru | 2:02 – 2:49 PM |
| Chennai | 1:51 – 2:39 PM |
What Is the Vijay Muhurat?
In Vedic timekeeping, the period from sunrise to sunset is divided into 15 muhurtas. The 11th muhurta of the day is called Vijay — "victory". It falls in the early afternoon and is considered auspicious every day, but on Vijayadashami, when the Dashami tithi of victory coincides with it, it becomes the most celebrated muhurat of the year for beginning anything you wish to succeed in.
How it works for Delhi on 20 October 2026: sunrise is about 6:26 AM and sunset about 5:46 PM — a day length of about 11 hours 20 minutes. Divided by 15, each muhurta is about 45 minutes. The 11th muhurta therefore begins about 10 muhurtas after sunrise, at 1:59 PM, and ends at 2:45 PM. Learn more in our guide: What is Vijay Muhurat?
Why Dussehra's Vijay Muhurat Is Special in 2026
- •Dashami in Aparahna: Dashami begins at 12:50 PM, so the entire afternoon is in the tithi of victory.
- •Shravana nakshatra: It prevails until 6:02 PM, and the Dashami-Shravana combination is classically considered the best for Vijayadashami.
- •Abujh muhurat: Vijayadashami is one of the three-and-a-half self-auspicious days of the year.
Timings to Avoid on 20 October (Delhi, approx.)
| Period | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Navami tithi | Until 12:50 PM | Fine for Navami puja, not Dussehra rituals |
| Rahu Kaal | 2:56 – 4:21 PM | Avoid starting new work |
| Kaal choghadiya | 1:31 – 2:56 PM | Overridden by the Vijay Muhurat, which is self-auspicious |
So the practical window in Delhi is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM. If you miss it, the Aparahna period that is not in Rahu Kaal (about 1:14 PM to 2:56 PM) is the next best choice. Check Rahu Kaal and choghadiya for your city.
What to Start in the Vijay Muhurat
- 1New business or shop opening — perform Ganesh puja, then open the account books or the shop.
- 2Vehicle purchase or delivery — do a small puja with a swastika, kalava and coconut.
- 3Property booking or registration — sign the token or agreement.
- 4Gold and silver purchase — considered as auspicious as on Dhanteras by many families.
- 5Vidyarambh — beginning studies, music, dance or a new course.
- 6Job joining or new project launch.
- 7Journey for an important purpose — the tradition of seema ullanghan (crossing the boundary) is linked to this.
- 8Shastra Puja — worship of weapons, tools and machines.
A Simple Ritual Before Starting
- 1Light a ghee lamp and worship Ganesha with "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah".
- 2Offer a Shami leaf or Aparajita flower to the Goddess.
- 3Take a sankalp: state your name and the work you are beginning.
- 4Chant "Om Vijayayai Namah" 11 times.
- 5Begin the work — sign, open, start the engine, or take the first step — within the muhurat.
Vijay Muhurat vs Abhijit Muhurat
The 8th muhurta of the day is Abhijit (around midday), and the 11th is Vijay. Abhijit is considered to neutralise most doshas; Vijay is specially linked with success, competition and journeys. On 20 October 2026 the Abhijit muhurat in Delhi (about 11:43 AM–12:28 PM) falls in Navami, so for Dussehra rituals the Vijay Muhurat, which falls in Dashami, is the better choice.
What Not to Do in the Vijay Muhurat
- •Don't quarrel or speak harshly.
- •Don't start new loans or lending.
- •Don't take hasty decisions without preparation — the muhurat helps, but judgement matters.
- •Avoid meat and alcohol on this sacred day.
Summary
The Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat is 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM in Delhi (2:06–2:51 PM in Jaipur, 2:19–3:06 PM in Mumbai). Begin new ventures in this window, avoid Rahu Kaal from about 2:56 PM, and complete Shami and Aparajita puja in the Aparahna period.
