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

TL;DR

• 🗓️ Dussehra 2026 (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, October 20 — closing ten days of Navratri that begin on October 11 with Ghatasthapana
• 🕌 Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple near Ellora is the 12th and final Jyotirlinga, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra and a focal point for Devi worship during the festival season
• 🎆 Ravan Dahan — the ceremonial burning of Ravana's effigy — is the signature Dussehra event in Aurangabad, typically held at public grounds in the evening
• 🌸 Maharashtra's Navratri layers Garba and Dandiya nights over the older regional Bhondla tradition, giving celebrations a distinct local character

Dates and Calendar: Navratri and Dussehra 2026

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11, with Ghatasthapana — the ritual installation of a clay pot to invoke Goddess Durga — and runs through Monday, October 19. The nine nights of Devi worship, fasting, and communal celebration conclude with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

The ten-day stretch from Ghatasthapana to Dussehra is the most festive period of the Hindu autumn calendar. In Aurangabad — officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in 2023 — both institutional celebrations at temples and community events at public grounds are standard features of the season. The city has a substantial Hindu population with deep roots in the Marathwada region, and the festival calendar here reflects both pan-Indian traditions and Maharashtra-specific customs.

What to Expect at Navratri in Aurangabad

Navratri in Maharashtra carries its own distinct character. The older Marathi observance — Bhondla or Hadga — is a women's tradition in which girls draw an elephant in rangoli, gather around it, and share food and songs. This practice coexists with the Garba and Dandiya formats, which arrived from Gujarat and spread widely across urban Maharashtra over the past two decades.

In Aurangabad, both forms run through Navratri. Large Garba and Dandiya events draw crowds to open grounds across the city, with music, stage lighting, and food stalls running deep into the night. Many neighborhoods also organize smaller-scale Devi pujas in public spaces — a temporary pandal is set up with a decorated image of Durga or the locally venerated Ambadevi, and daily aarti is conducted through all nine nights.

The nine Navratri colors, corresponding to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, are widely observed as dress codes at community events. Wearing the designated color of each day is a common participation marker at Garba events and is considered auspicious.

Some community organizations in Aurangabad run Ramlila performances — theatrical retellings of the Ramayana — through the Navratri period, building to the culminating Dussehra narrative of Rama's victory over Ravana.

Dussehra: Ravan Dahan and Celebrations

Dussehra marks two overlapping victories: Lord Rama's defeat of the demon king Ravana, and Goddess Durga's conquest of the buffalo demon Mahishasura at the close of Navratri. The two mythologies reinforce the same message — dharma eventually prevails over adharma.

In Maharashtra, Dussehra is observed with processions, family gatherings, and the Sona Luta custom — the exchange of leaves considered auspicious on Vijayadashami day. Ravan Dahan — the burning of large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad — has become an increasingly prominent feature of urban Maharashtra celebrations, including in Aurangabad.

The effigy burning typically takes place in the evening, between 5 PM and 7 PM, at large public grounds. The events are family-oriented, with fairground stalls, street food, and fireworks accompanying the main ceremony. The scale of individual Ravan Dahan events varies across neighborhoods, with larger centralized events drawing bigger crowds.

Grishneshwar Temple: Pilgrimage at the Festival Season

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, located near the village of Verul adjacent to the Ellora Caves, is one of the Twelve Jyotirlingas — the holiest Shiva shrines in Hinduism. It is the 12th and final Jyotirlinga on the traditional pilgrimage circuit. The current temple was built in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar on a site with a far older history of pilgrimage.

The structure is built from red stone across an area of 44,400 square feet, with a five-layered shikhara and walls bearing carved scenes from Shaiva mythology and the ten avatars of Vishnu. Multiple aarti sessions are conducted throughout each day, drawing pilgrims at dawn and dusk.

During Navratri and Dussehra, the temple draws additional worshippers from across Maharashtra and neighboring states. Combining a Grishneshwar darshan with a morning visit to the Ellora Caves — located immediately adjacent — is a common itinerary during the festival period. The temple is approximately 30 km from Aurangabad city center, and transport options connect the two.

Ellora Caves: A UNESCO Site in October

Ellora Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising 34 rock-cut caves representing Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions, carved between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. October is among the best months to visit — the monsoon has receded, temperatures are comfortable for walking between cave structures, and the morning light is favorable.

The Cave 16 Kailasa Temple, carved entirely out of a single rock face and dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most architecturally extraordinary structure at the site. Visiting the Ellora Caves during the Navratri-Dussehra period has a particular quality: the site draws pilgrims and tourists simultaneously, and the atmosphere around the Shaivite caves reflects the festive season.

The separate Ellora-Ajanta International Festival — featuring classical music and dance performances near the cave complex — is held in January or February and falls outside the Dussehra window. But October is an excellent time to visit the site on its own terms.

Insider Tip: During Dussehra week, Grishneshwar Temple sees a significant surge in pilgrims. Arriving before 7 AM or after 7 PM on the main days gives you a shorter queue for darshan. Mid-morning visits on Navami and Vijayadashami involve the longest waits of the entire festival season.

FAQ

When exactly is Dussehra in 2026? Vijayadashami falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Navratri begins on October 11 with Ghatasthapana.

Are there Garba events in Aurangabad during Navratri? Yes. Garba and Dandiya events are held at public grounds and community spaces through all nine nights of Navratri. Individual organizers and specific venues vary year to year.

How far is Grishneshwar Temple from Aurangabad city? The temple is located near Ellora, approximately 30 km from Aurangabad city center. Regular transport connects the two, and the Ellora Caves site is immediately adjacent to the temple.

Is Ravan Dahan held in Aurangabad on Dussehra? Yes. Ravan Dahan events take place at open public grounds across the city on Vijayadashami evening. The typical timing is between 5 PM and 7 PM.

What are important customs to know during Navratri in Maharashtra? Each of the nine days has a designated color associated with the respective form of Goddess Durga. Wearing the color of the day is considered auspicious and is widely practiced at Garba events. Those fasting through Navratri typically eat fruit, sabudana preparations, and specific foods considered appropriate for vrat (fast) days.