Dussehra 2026 in Yorba Linda: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• 🗓️ Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 falls on October 20 in Yorba Linda — the culminating day of a nine-night Navratri season.
• 🛕 Four temples serve the area: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bharat Sevashram Sangha West, Radha Raman Vedic Temple, and Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles.
• 📅 Navratri 2026 begins October 11, Durga Ashtami 2026 arrives October 18, and Dussehra closes the arc on October 20.
• 🎉 Karva Chauth 2026 on October 29 extends the festive momentum through the final week of the month.

Dussehra in Orange County: How Yorba Linda Celebrates Vijayadashami

Dussehra — also called Vijayadashami — marks the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana and, in the Shakta tradition, the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is the tenth and final day of the Navratri period, and for the Indian community in Yorba Linda and greater Orange County, it represents one of the most culturally significant evenings of the autumn calendar.

The Yorba Linda area has a substantial and growing South Asian population. With four active temples within a short drive, residents have real choices about how and where to observe the festival according to their tradition. Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 falls on October 20, and the nine days preceding it — beginning with Navratri 2026 on October 11 — build steadily toward that culmination.

The Temple Landscape Around Yorba Linda

Four temples near Yorba Linda serve the local Indian community across different traditions and lineages, each bringing something distinct to the Navratri and Dussehra season.

Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia is among the closest to Yorba Linda. The temple holds year-round programs and hosted Krishna Janmsahtami Celebrations in September 2026, demonstrating an active role in organizing major festival events for the community. Its Navratri and Dussehra observances draw families from across northern Orange County.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills draws devotees from across the Inland Empire and Orange County. The BAPS tradition combines devotion with structured community programming, and the mandir's Navratri programs are among the most widely attended during the nine-night festival period.

Bharat Sevashram Sangha West in Brea is rooted in the Bengali Hindu tradition and the service-oriented philosophy of Swami Pranavananda. Durga Puja and Navratri programs at Bharat Sevashram Sangha West carry a distinctively devotional character, drawing families who connect with the Bengal-inflected approach to Goddess worship during this season.

Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles in Tustin brings the Vedanta and scripture-study tradition to Orange County, with programs that complement the festival season through discourses and cultural events focused on the deeper meaning of Dussehra.

Insider tip: For Dussehra evening itself, Radha Raman Vedic Temple and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir are both worth checking early — their programs tend to fill up, and event details are shared through respective community channels in the week before October 20.

Navratri 2026 and the Lead-Up to Dussehra

Navratri 2026 begins on October 11 and runs for nine nights, each associated with one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The period is observed differently across traditions: Gujarati families celebrate with garba and dandiya raas; Bengali families observe Durga Puja with elaborate pandals; and devotees across all traditions participate in fasting, prayer, and special artis.

Durga Ashtami 2026 on October 18 is the eighth day — considered among the most auspicious of the Navratri period. Kanya puja, the worship of young girls as manifestations of the Goddess, is performed by many households on this day. Bharat Sevashram Sangha West is particularly known for its Durga Puja observances during this period.

Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 on October 20 closes the festival arc. In many Indian communities across the United States, Dussehra evening features Ravan Dahan — the ceremonial burning of an effigy of Ravana — alongside community gatherings and cultural programs. Check with Radha Raman Vedic Temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, and local community organizations in the Yorba Linda area for specific event plans as the date approaches.

What Follows Dussehra in Yorba Linda's Calendar

The festive season does not end with Dussehra. Ekadashi falls on October 21, just the day after Vijayadashami, followed by Pradosh Vrat on October 23 and Purnima on October 25.

Karva Chauth 2026 arrives on October 29, one of the most widely observed fasts among married Hindu women in diaspora communities across the United States. Sankashti Chaturthi also falls on October 29 — a convergence of two observances that keeps the final week of October active for many households in the Yorba Linda area.

Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles and the other area temples maintain programming through this period, ensuring that the autumn festival energy extends well past Dussehra.

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FAQ

Q: What date is Dussehra 2026 in Yorba Linda? A: Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 falls on October 20, 2026.

Q: Which temples near Yorba Linda observe Dussehra and Navratri? A: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, Radha Raman Vedic Temple in Placentia, Bharat Sevashram Sangha West in Brea, and Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles in Tustin all serve the area.

Q: When does Navratri 2026 begin? A: Navratri 2026 starts on October 11 and runs nine nights, concluding with Dussehra on October 20.

Q: What is Durga Ashtami and when does it fall? A: Durga Ashtami 2026 is the eighth day of Navratri, falling on October 18 — considered among the most auspicious of the nine nights and often observed with kanya puja.

Q: Is garba held near Yorba Linda for Navratri? A: Gujarati and broader community organizations in Orange County typically organize garba and dandiya events during Navratri 2026. Local temple and community social media channels are the best sources for event details as October 11 approaches.

Bottom Line

Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 on October 20 is the high point of the autumn festival season for Yorba Linda's Indian community. With four well-established temples within a short drive — BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bharat Sevashram Sangha West, Radha Raman Vedic Temple, and Chinmaya Mission of Los Angeles — there are multiple ways to observe both Navratri and Dussehra according to your tradition. Start watching for event announcements when Navratri 2026 opens on October 11, and plan to have your October 20 evening free.