Dussehra 2026 was celebrated across Telangana and several parts of India on Tuesday, October 20, with temple prayers, traditional pujas, Ramlila events and Ravana effigy burnings marking Vijayadashami. Reports from the day described large gatherings and enthusiastic participation, while traditions differed from state to state.

Telangana observes Vijayadashami with traditional rituals

According to United News of India, devotees visited temples dedicated to Goddess Durga across Telangana and offered special prayers. Shami Puja, Ayudha Puja and vehicle puja were among the rituals performed, and people exchanged Jammi leaves and festival greetings.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also extended Vijayadashami greetings. Separate reports described Ayudha Puja at the Chief Minister’s residence in Hyderabad and traditional celebrations at BRS leader K. Chandrashekar Rao’s residence in Erravelli.

Celebrations across India

News On AIR reported that Vijayadashami observances took place across the country, with Ravana Dahan events planned at different locations in Delhi and Durga Puja concluding with immersion rituals in parts of eastern India.

In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu attended Dussehra celebrations in Dwarka, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a Vijayadashami programme at Ramlila Maidan. Public celebrations elsewhere included effigy burnings and community gatherings.

Coverage from Punjab and Haryana also described crowds gathering for Ravana Dahan ceremonies in cities including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Mohali, Patiala, Panchkula and Gurugram.

Why the festival matters

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is associated with the victory of good over evil. Depending on local tradition, it commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, or both themes in the broader festival season.

For many families, the day includes worship, visits to relatives, community events and prayers for prosperity and new beginnings. The rituals and public programmes vary across regions and communities.

Public events and safety

Large festival gatherings can affect traffic around event grounds and temples. People attending local programmes should follow police directions, use designated entry and exit routes, and check local administration notices for any traffic restrictions or event updates.

Sources

Editorial note: This is a summary of reported public celebrations on October 20, 2026. It does not claim that every event was incident-free or that every locality followed the same traditions.