Dussehra 2026 in Allen: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• 🎉 Dussehra/Vijayadashami 2026 lands on Tuesday, October 20
• 🛕 Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas in Allen is a focal point for Navratri Garba and Dussehra festivities
• 🎻 Indian Fine Arts Academy of DFW brings classical Indian arts to Allen in September, opening the fall cultural season
• 🪔 Navratri 2026 runs October 11–19 with nine nights of puja and community celebration
• 🗓️ Many Dussehra events fill up early — plan well ahead of October 20

Dussehra and the Indian Community in Allen

Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is one of the most widely observed festivals on the Hindu calendar. The day marks Lord Ram's victory over the demon king Ravana and the triumph of righteousness over wrongdoing. It falls at the close of Navratri — nine nights honoring the divine feminine — making the ten-day season a sustained period of devotion and communal celebration.

Allen, a city in Collin County just north of Dallas, has grown steadily in its Indian American population over the past two decades. The presence of multiple Hindu temples within city limits makes Allen one of the well-served cities in the DFW metroplex for festival observance. For the Indian diaspora living here, the Navratri-to-Dussehra season is one of the most anticipated stretches of the year.

The Indian community in Allen brings together multiple regional traditions — families from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and beyond. This diversity means Navratri and Dussehra are celebrated with a range of flavors: Garba evenings with hundreds of participants, Saraswati Puja settings at home, classical music and dance events, and late-evening Ravana Dahan gatherings at the temple.

Navratri 2026: Nine Nights Before Dussehra

Sharad Navratri begins on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and runs through Monday, October 19, with Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20.

Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, located within Allen, has become one of the prominent venues for Navratri celebrations in the North Dallas corridor. The temple typically organizes evening programs across all nine nights — with special Garba sessions open to the broader Indian community. Their Dussehra programming includes a Ram Leela component and Ravana Dahan on the evening of October 20.

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, also in Allen, serves the South Indian community with a full calendar of religious observances. The temple marks Navratri with dedicated alankarams for the deity each day, archana sessions, and cultural programming. Devotees from across Collin County turn to both temples as central locations for festival-season worship, and both serve distinct but complementary roles in Allen's Indian community life.

For families observing Navratri at home, the nine days carry a rhythm of their own — fasting on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami; wearing the designated color of each day; setting up a Golu display of figurines on a tiered platform. Supplies for home observances are widely available through Indian grocery stores in the area.

The Arts Season Opens: IFAA DFW in September

Before Navratri officially begins, Allen's Indian community gets an early taste of the fall cultural season through the Indian Fine Arts Academy of DFW (IFAA DFW). In September 2026, IFAA DFW presents a special violin duet — a concert by Carnatic violin maestros RK Shriramkumar and VVS Murari, held as a tribute honoring the Sangita Kalanidhi distinction. For classical music enthusiasts in Allen and across the DFW area, this kind of performance is a rare opportunity to experience Carnatic artistry at a high level.

Events like these set a cultural tone that carries into the Navratri season. The intersection of classical arts and religious observance is characteristic of how the Indian American community in Allen sustains its heritage through the fall months.

Dussehra Day: October 20 Observances

The Vijaya Muhurat on October 20, 2026 falls in the afternoon hours, making it the auspicious window for worship, new beginnings, and the exchange of blessings. Traditional activities on Dussehra include:

• Ayudha Puja — honoring tools, instruments, and the implements of one's profession
• Ram Leela recitations or live performances
• Ravana Dahan — the ceremonial burning of an effigy symbolizing the victory of good over evil
• Visits to the temple for special darshan and archana

Attending Ravana Dahan at Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas has become a Dussehra tradition for many Indian families across Allen and Collin County. The combination of Ram Leela storytelling and the Ravana Dahan ceremony makes for a memorable evening that resonates especially with children experiencing the celebration for the first time.

Insider Tip: If your family includes young children, arrive at least 45 minutes before the Ravana Dahan ceremony. The grounds fill significantly on Dussehra evening, and a good vantage point makes the experience far more impactful. Older children often find the Ram Leela performance just as engaging as the effigy burning itself.

Puja at Home: Navratri Essentials

Many Indian families in Allen combine temple visits with home puja throughout Navratri. The nine-day fast varies by tradition — some observe all nine days, others choose specific auspicious days such as Pratipada, Ashtami, and Navami. Home observances typically include setting up a Golu display, performing morning and evening aarti, and preparing traditional offerings.

For the precise Vijaya Muhurat time on October 20, consult a panchang calibrated for Allen, TX (Central Time). The auspicious window falls in the afternoon and is well-suited for home puja before heading to an evening temple event.

FAQ

When is Dussehra 2026? Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

What is Navratri and when does it run in 2026? Navratri means nine nights and refers to the festival period honoring the goddess Durga in her nine forms. Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from October 11 to October 19, with Dussehra on October 20.

Which temples in Allen celebrate Dussehra? Both Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas and Sri Siva Vishnu Temple are active in Allen and typically organize Navratri and Dussehra programs for the Indian community.

What is Ravana Dahan? Ravana Dahan is the ceremonial burning of a large effigy of Ravana to mark the defeat of evil on Dussehra evening. It is a communal highlight of the celebration and typically takes place at larger temples.

What is IFAA DFW? The Indian Fine Arts Academy of DFW (IFAA DFW) is a classical arts organization that brings Indian classical music and dance performances to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, including events in Allen.

Bottom Line

Allen is one of the most active cities in the DFW area for Indian community life, and Dussehra 2026 will reflect that energy. With Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas and Sri Siva Vishnu Temple anchoring the Navratri-to-Dussehra season, and the Indian Fine Arts Academy of DFW opening the fall cultural calendar with a Carnatic violin concert in September, Allen's Indian diaspora has meaningful options from home puja to large community celebrations. October 20 is the date to hold — and the planning starts now.