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

TL;DR

• 🪔 Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20 — Orange County's Indian diaspora community observes Vijayadashami across several temples and cultural centers in and around Anaheim.
• The Gayatri Consciousness Center (All World Gayatri Pariwar) on W Orange Ave in Anaheim holds regular spiritual programming through the Navratri season.
• Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia and Chinmaya Mission in Tustin are two major nearby hubs for Dussehra puja and community gatherings.
• Large-scale Navratri Garba events have historically been held at the Anaheim Convention Center, drawing thousands from across Southern California.
• Confirm specific 2026 event dates and times with each organization before attending.

When Is Dussehra 2026 in Anaheim?

Vijayadashami — the festival widely called Dussehra — falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. It marks the culmination of Sharad Navratri, which opens on October 11 and runs through October 19. The festival carries both Vaishnava significance (Rama's victory over Ravana) and Shakta significance (Goddess Durga's defeat of Mahishasura at the end of nine nights of battle). For the Indian and South Asian diaspora across Anaheim and greater Orange County, the stretch from Navratri through Vijayadashami is one of the busiest and most festive periods of the year.

Gayatri Consciousness Center — All World Gayatri Pariwar (Anaheim)

The All World Gayatri Pariwar maintains its Southern California center at 2446 W Orange Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804. Known locally as the Gayatri Consciousness Center, this organization is part of a global spiritual movement rooted in Gayatri Mantra tradition, Vedic fire ritual, and holistic community practice. Regular programming includes Daily Yagya at 10 AM, Swadhyaay devotional sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, Sunday Yagya with Aarti at 11 AM, and Tuesday Yoga and Meditation sessions.

During the Navratri period, the center elevates its devotional calendar with special pujas and community prayer gatherings. Vijayadashami observances typically include collective Aarti and prayers marking the victory of good over evil. For the full 2026 Navratri schedule, contact the center directly — and confirm hours before you go.

Radha Raman Vedic Temple (Placentia)

A few miles from central Anaheim, Radha Raman Vedic Temple at 1022 Bradford Ave, Placentia, CA 92870, has served the Indian community of Orange County for over three decades. With a congregation of more than 2,500 families, it is one of the most established South Asian worship centers in the region. The temple conducts religious ceremonies for all major Hindu festivals, including Navratri, Durga Puja, Vijayadashami, and Diwali. Regular temple hours run daily from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM — confirm before you go, as festival days often carry extended schedules.

For Dussehra 2026, expect morning and evening puja programs, prasad distribution, and community devotional programs. The temple typically announces its Vijayadashami program a few weeks in advance through their social media channels and community WhatsApp groups.

Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles (Tustin)

Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles — operating its Orange County center as Chinmaya Rameshwaram — is located at 14451 Franklin Ave, Tustin, CA 92780. This is one of the most active Hindu cultural institutions in the region, housing two merged temples (Kasi and Mithila, joined in 2010 as Rameshwaram) and conducting daily pujas, Balavihar children's classes, Vedanta study groups, and seasonal festival celebrations.

The mission has an established track record for Navratri and Durga Puja programming serving the Orange County Indian community. Past observances have included community Durga Puja with traditional music, devotional offerings, and prasad. For 2026 Dussehra details, check the official Chinmaya Mission LA calendar well before October. Confirm hours before you go.

Sri Siva Kameswari Devasthanam (Costa Mesa)

Sri Siva Kameswari Devasthanam, a South Indian-tradition temple in Costa Mesa, brings a distinctive dimension to the Orange County Navratri-Dussehra calendar. The temple performs daily Navavarana Sri Chakra Puja through the nine nights of Navaratri, along with Samoohika Lalita Sahasranama, Kumkumarchana, and Nitya Sivasini Puja. Each evening concludes with Aarati and community prasad dinner.

The temple also hosts Mata Ki Chowki — a devotional celebration of Maa Durga through bhajans and kirtans — followed by Raas Garba, open to all. A particularly meaningful Vijayadashami tradition here is the Samoohika Vidyarthi Saraswati Puja, where students from pre-K through college bring notebooks and textbooks to receive blessings of wisdom and academic success. Check the temple's calendar for exact 2026 Navratri and Dussehra dates and times, and confirm hours before you go.

Large-Scale Navratri Garba Near Anaheim

Beyond the temples, Anaheim and Orange County host some of the largest Navratri Garba celebrations in California. Events have historically been held at the Anaheim Convention Center and premium nearby venues, drawing thousands of participants from across Southern California. These ticketed events typically feature headlining Gujarati folk artists, enormous dance floors, food vendors, and elaborate festival decor.

Orange County Navratri events have grown into some of the most production-intensive in the region, with artists and venues typically announced six to eight weeks before Navratri begins. Look for listings on Sulekha Events and Indian community social media groups as September turns to October. Tickets go quickly — buy early.

Insider Tip: Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia publishes a detailed festival schedule a few weeks before each major observance. If you're organizing your October calendar around Dussehra, follow their social media channels or ask to join their WhatsApp broadcast to catch the Vijayadashami puja timings as soon as they post.

Dussehra Puja at Home

For families observing Dussehra at home, Vijayadashami puja involves cleaning and decorating the space, arranging an altar with an image or murti of Goddess Durga or Lord Rama, offering flowers, kumkum, and sweets, and lighting diyas at dusk. The Vijay Muhurta — the auspicious hour of victory — on October 20 is the traditional window for prayers and new beginnings. Indian grocery stores and supermarkets in the Anaheim-Garden Grove corridor stock puja samagri (ritual supplies) through the Navratri season. Plan to shop at least a week in advance.

FAQ

Q: What is Dussehra 2026's date for Anaheim, CA? A: Vijayadashami (Dussehra) falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Q: Which Hindu temple is closest to Anaheim for Dussehra puja? A: All World Gayatri Pariwar / Gayatri Consciousness Center is directly in Anaheim at 2446 W Orange Ave. Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia and Chinmaya Mission in Tustin are both within a short drive.

Q: Are the large Navratri Garba events near Anaheim ticketed? A: Yes — large-scale events at venues like the Anaheim Convention Center are generally ticketed and sell out ahead of time. Check Sulekha Events and similar Indian community event platforms as October approaches.

Q: Is there a Ramlila or Ravana Dahan event in the Anaheim area? A: The Anaheim-area Indian community occasionally organizes devotional readings and Ramlila-style programs during Navratri, but major standing Ramlila productions are more common in the greater Los Angeles area. Check local temple announcement boards as October approaches.

Q: What should I bring to a Dussehra puja at a temple? A: Flowers, fruits, and kumkum or haldi powder are standard offerings. Many temples provide materials for a modest donation. Call or check social media ahead of your visit to confirm what the specific temple welcomes.

Bottom Line

Dussehra 2026 in the Anaheim area gives the Indian diaspora community multiple ways to observe Vijayadashami — from the devotional Gayatri tradition at All World Gayatri Pariwar on W Orange Ave, to the large congregation programs at Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia, to the culturally rich Shakta temple calendar at Sri Siva Kameswari Devasthanam in Costa Mesa, to the family-focused Vedanta programming at Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles in Tustin. For those who celebrate through dance, the Anaheim-area Garba scene — with events at major convention venues — is among the liveliest in California. Mark your calendar for October 11 (start of Navratri) and October 20 (Dussehra), and confirm event details with each venue as the festival draws near.