Festive Season 2026: Navratri Begins October 11, Dussehra on October 20, Diwali Delayed to November 8

India's festive season is set to begin in earnest next week, with Shardiya Navratri starting on Sunday, October 11 and Dussehra following on Tuesday, October 20. This year, however, Diwali arrives later than many people expect, falling on Sunday, November 8, according to published festival calendars.

Shardiya Navratri opens with Ghatasthapana, also known as Kalash Sthapana, on October 11 and continues for nine nights through October 19. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is celebrated in different ways across the country. In Gujarat, evenings center on arti followed by garba and dandiya, while in West Bengal, Assam and Odisha the focus turns to Durga Puja, with Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both observed on October 19. Kolkata is especially known for pandal hopping during this period.

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, falls on October 20 and marks the culmination of Navratri. It is associated with the victory of good over evil, and in popular tradition with Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka takes place around the same time, and Ayudha Puja is observed on October 20 in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Because 2026 is an adhika masa, or leap-month, year in the Hindu lunisolar calendar, the Kartik festivals move into November. Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, and Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday, November 8. Chhath follows from November 13 to 16, and the wedding season opens on November 20, according to a festive travel calendar published by HappyFares.

Travel planners note that the festive season is not one continuous peak. Because Dussehra falls on a Tuesday, taking only Monday, October 19 off creates a four-day break, which pushes outbound travel to Friday evening and Saturday. Return travel is expected to run from October 21 to 27. The period from about October 28 to November 3 is usually the quietest stretch, with pleasant weather, before the Diwali outbound rush builds around Dhanteras.

Garba events also lift demand for travel into Ahmedabad and Vadodara around the start of Navratri, so those heading to Gujarat may want to book early.

Festival dates in India depend on the lunisolar calendar and can vary by region, so some publications list different days for certain observances. A few online calendars, for example, show different dates for Navratri and Diwali than the widely published ones used here. Readers planning rituals, fasts or travel should confirm exact timings with a trusted regional panchang or local temple authorities.

With Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra falling within the next three weeks, markets, transport hubs and public spaces are likely to be busy. Families and visitors can expect garba nights, pandals, processions and cultural performances in many cities, followed by the build-up to Diwali in early November.

Dates are based on festival calendars published as of October 3, 2026, and may differ by region.