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

TL;DR

• 🗓️ Navratri begins October 11, 2026; Dussehra / Vijayadashami falls on October 20
• Hicksville's Indian community gathers at several temples and cultural venues across the nine-night festival season
• Asamai Hindu Temple on East Barclay Street runs a full Navratri and Dussehra program each year
• The India Day Parade of Long Island anchors Hicksville's civic Indian calendar — the same organizing networks drive October celebrations
• Plan early; temple aarti and evening programs fill up faster as the festival approaches

October in Hicksville: The Festival That Brings the Community Together

Nassau County's Indian population is one of the most concentrated in the Northeast, and Hicksville sits at its center. The stretch from Navratri through Dussehra — October 11 to October 20, 2026 — is the single most important stretch of the Hindu calendar year for thousands of families here.

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, marks the day Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana, and the day the goddess Durga vanquished Mahishasura at the close of Navratri. It is a festival of victory — personal, communal, and spiritual. In practical terms, it means nine nights of Garba and devotional music, daily puja at local temples, festive foods and sweets, and on the final day a ceremonial close that many families observe with new clothes, Shami puja, and shared meals.

Hicksville's temples and community organizations have been building out this calendar for decades. Here is where to find the celebrations in 2026.

The Temples at the Heart of Dussehra in Hicksville

Asamai Hindu Temple

Asamai Hindu Temple, at 80 East Barclay Street, is the most active Hindu worship space in Hicksville. The temple runs a full annual festival program that includes Navratri Garba nights, daily Durga puja through the nine days, and a Dussehra celebration on October 20 that draws worshippers from across Long Island.

The temple's community center is large enough to host cultural programs alongside the religious observances — expect devotional singing, drama, and children's performances as part of the broader celebration. The temple website maintains a calendar of upcoming functions and annual programs, and it is worth checking directly for 2026 program timings and any pre-registration that may be required for evening Garba events.

Afghan Hindu Association INC

Sharing the Barclay Street address with Asamai is the Afghan Hindu Association INC, which represents one of the more distinct strands of Hicksville's Indian diaspora. Hindu families with roots in Afghanistan have their own rich festival traditions — observances of Dussehra and Navratri that carry the cultural memory of a different geography while remaining fully connected to the broader Hindu calendar. The Association often participates in joint programs alongside neighboring religious organizations, and its presence in Hicksville reflects how broad the term "Desi community" actually is.

Sri Ram Temple INC

Sri Ram Temple INC has been a Hicksville institution for years. For Dussehra specifically, this temple is particularly meaningful: the festival commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, and the Ram tradition runs deep here. The temple is expected to hold special puja and devotional programs on Dussehra day, October 20, 2026. For current program schedules, Indian community groups and local networks are the most reliable source of last-mile information.

Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island

Located on Broadway in Hicksville, Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island is a Sikh gurdwara that plays a broader role in the area's Indian community fabric. While Navratri and Dussehra are primarily Hindu observances, the Darbar regularly hosts interfaith and inter-community events during festive seasons. Long Island's Indian community crosses religious lines more fluidly than outsiders often expect, and the Darbar is frequently a space where that comes together.

Hindu Temple of Long Island

A short drive from Hicksville in Bethpage, the Hindu Temple of Long Island draws from across Nassau County for major festival observances. If Hicksville-based events are at capacity — or if you want the experience of a larger assembled congregation for Dussehra puja — this temple is a logical next destination.

Insider Tip: The most sought-after element of Dussehra at Hicksville temples is often the evening aarti on October 20 — it can run for over an hour and is followed by prasad. Get there 30 to 40 minutes early for a place near the deity. Bring a small offering of flowers or fruit; most temples welcome them. If you are new to the area, follow Asamai Hindu Temple on social media — they post event updates and parking guidance as the day approaches.

The India Day Parade of Long Island and the October Connection

The India Day Parade of Long Island brings together a coalition of community organizations, cultural groups, and temple associations every August in Hicksville. That same coalition is the backbone of October festival planning. Staying connected to the India Day Parade of Long Island's organizing networks — whether through social media or community newsletters — is one of the best ways to learn about Dussehra-season events that may not be widely publicized online.

Hicksville's East Broadway corridor also fills up around this time of year. Indian sweet shops offer fresh halwa, barfi, and other festive mithai. Clothing boutiques stock up on Navratri lehengas and kurtas. Grocery stores bring in seasonal items for Navratri fasting. If you are visiting from elsewhere on Long Island, build in time to browse.

Dussehra Beyond the Temple: Community and Cultural Programs

Not all of Hicksville's Dussehra activity happens inside temples. Cultural organizations and local Indian associations sometimes host Ram Leela performances — theatrical enactments of the Ramayana leading up to the symbolic burning of the Ravana effigy. Outdoor Ravana Dahan ceremonies require space and municipal permits and are not always feasible in dense suburban settings, but community halls and school auditoriums occasionally host performances during the Navratri season.

The Long Island Indian community's social media landscape — Facebook groups, WhatsApp broadcast lists, and community apps — carries event announcements that do not always make it to formal listings sites. Tapping into those networks, either through local temples or through friends in the community, will surface events that no public calendar captures.

Families with children will find that the Navratri period is an especially good time to engage with the temple community. Many Hicksville temples run children's programs during Navratri — storytelling, Ramayana enactments, and workshops on the significance of each of the nine nights. These programs are often free and open to all.

FAQ

When is Navratri 2026 and when does Dussehra fall? Navratri 2026 begins October 11. Dussehra / Vijayadashami is on October 20, 2026 — the tenth day, or Dashami.

What is the significance of Vijayadashami? Vijayadashami marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, and simultaneously the goddess Durga's defeat of Mahishasura at the close of Navratri. The name translates literally as "victorious tenth."

Are Hicksville temple events open to non-Hindus? Most are. Indian temples in the US are generally welcoming to visitors who approach with respect. Dress modestly, remove shoes at the entrance, and observe quietly during puja. Calling ahead is always a good idea for large events.

Is there Garba dancing at Hicksville events? Yes — Asamai Hindu Temple and some community organizations host Garba evenings during Navratri. Tickets or registration may be required for Garba nights. Check temple websites and community social media as October approaches.

What should I bring for Dussehra puja? Flowers, fruit, or a small monetary offering are common. Many families also bring new items to be blessed — tools, books, or instruments — as part of Ayudha Puja traditions associated with Vijayadashami.

Bottom Line

Hicksville does not need an excuse to celebrate — but Dussehra is its biggest excuse of the year. With Asamai Hindu Temple, Sri Ram Temple INC, Afghan Hindu Association INC, and Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island all within the same neighborhood, the October 11-20 festival season is woven into daily life here. Mark October 20, 2026 on your calendar, connect with local temple networks well in advance, and you will have no shortage of ways to observe one of Hinduism's most meaningful days.