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Vijayadashami 2026 in Kochi: 21 October (Kerala), Vidyarambham

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Kochi, Kerala

In 14 days
Dussehra evening: a ten-headed Ravan effigy on a town ground, fireworks at its base and a crowd watching
Image: made with AI

Puja muhurat

Vijay muhuratOn 20 October, with Dashami in the Aparahna (Drik Panchang)
2:08–2:56 PM
Aparahna pujaShami and Aparajita puja, Simollanghan
1:21–3:43 PM
Dashami tithi
12:52 PM to 2:13 PM (21 Oct)
21 October: Dashami at sunriseVijayadashami in the state’s holiday list
until 2:13 PM
SunsetMany places burn Ravana’s effigy after this; check your Ramlila committee’s time
6:06 PM

The Kerala government’s 2026 list has Vijayadashami on Wednesday 21 October (Vidyarambham that morning, by tradition). That day Dashami holds from sunrise until 2:13 PM; the Vijay muhurat above is for 20 October, when Dashami holds in the Aparahna (Drik Panchang’s rule).

For Kochi, in Indian Standard Time. How we calculate

In short

In Kerala, Vijayadashami 2026 is on Wednesday 21 October: the Kerala government’s 2026 holiday list has Mahanavami on 20 October and Vijayadashami on 21 October. By tradition, Vidyarambham is held on the morning of Vijayadashami. That day Dashami holds from sunrise until 2:13 PM. In Kochi the Vijay muhurat is 2:08–2:56 PM on 20 October, when Dashami holds in the Aparahna; by this rule Drik Panchang gives Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Times are for Kochi’s sunrise and sunset, in Indian Standard Time.

In cities near Kochi

CityVijay muhuratvs Kochi
Kochi2:08–2:56 PM—
Coimbatore 142 km2:05–2:53 PM3 min earlier
Thiruvananthapuram 173 km2:06–2:54 PM2 min earlier
Madurai 203 km2:01–2:48 PM7 min earlier
Mysuru 266 km2:06–2:54 PM2 min earlier
Bengaluru 368 km2:02–2:49 PM6 min earlier
Tirupati 535 km1:55–2:42 PM13 min earlier
Chennai 559 km1:52–2:39 PM16 min earlier
Panaji 672 km2:17–3:04 PM9 min later
Hyderabad 863 km1:58–2:44 PM10 min earlier
Pune 990 km2:16–3:02 PM8 min later

Dussehra (Vijayadashami): puja, story and rules

The full puja method, story, verses and common questions are on the main Dussehra (Vijayadashami) page.

Read about Dussehra (Vijayadashami)Panchang for 20 OctoberToday’s panchang for Kochi

Frequently asked questions

When is Vijayadashami 2026 in Kerala?

On Wednesday 21 October; Mahanavami is on Tuesday 20 October (Kerala government holiday list for 2026). That morning Dashami holds from sunrise until 2:13 PM; by tradition, children’s Vidyarambham is held on the morning of Vijayadashami.

When is the Vijay muhurat on Dussehra in Kochi?

In Kochi, vijay muhurat is at 2:08–2:56 PM (Tuesday, 20 October 2026).

When is Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 in Kochi?

According to Drik Panchang, on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, when Dashami holds in the Aparahna; the Kerala government holiday list keeps Vijayadashami on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, when Dashami holds at sunrise.

Is the time in Kochi different from Delhi?

Yes. In Kochi vijay muhurat is at 2:08–2:56 PM, while in New Delhi it is at 1:59–2:45 PM (9 min earlier in Delhi). The Sun and Moon rise earlier in eastern cities and later in western ones.

How accurate are these times?

They are calculated astronomically for Kochi (9.93° N, 76.27° E) and agree with Drik Panchang within 1–2 minutes. Clouds, buildings or hills can delay the sight of the Sun or Moon by a few minutes.

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) in other cities

Times for all 66 cities

Sources

  1. Muhurat, sunrise and moonrise: SanatanBodh panchang calculation (astronomy-engine, Lahiri ayanamsha)
  2. Rules checked against Drik Panchang, New Delhi 2026
  3. Kerala: Kerala government holidays for 2026, G.O.(P) No.14/2025/GAD (Kerala Gazette, 31 October 2025), as printed by Onmanorama and Goodreturns

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