Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is being celebrated across Gujarat on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The festival marks the triumph of good over evil and brings communities together through traditional rituals, public gatherings, festive food and cultural programmes. From the popular fafda-jalebi breakfast in Ahmedabad and Surat to grand Ravan Dahan events and the final night of Garba, celebrations are taking place across the state. This year’s festivities combine religious observances with community events, giving people opportunities to enjoy Gujarat’s traditions with family and friends. The day carries a special energy, as it also marks the conclusion of the nine-night Navratri festival, making it a perfect blend of devotion, celebration and community bonding.
Fafda-Jalebi: A Favourite Dussehra Breakfast
The morning of Dussehra began with a rush at sweet shops and snack outlets across Gujarat. In major cities such as Ahmedabad and Surat, long queues formed as residents gathered to buy the traditional festive breakfast of hot fafda and sweet jalebi. This popular combination is an important part of the state’s Dussehra celebrations. The early-morning activity around local food shops reflects how food traditions remain closely connected with the festival. For many families, no Dussehra morning feels complete without a plate of crisp fafda paired with warm jalebi, and the crowds at sweet shops are a familiar sight every year. The tradition is not just about food but also about the shared experience of starting the festival with something sweet and savoury together.
Grand Ravan Dahan Events Across Gujarat
Large public squares and temple grounds have arranged Ravan Dahan programmes featuring effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. The evening celebrations include dramatic fire effects, sound shows and cultural performances. Each city has its own way of marking the occasion, and this year’s events promise to be bigger and more creative than before.
Ahmedabad: Celebration at Hare Krishna Mandir
In Ahmedabad, a grand programme featuring drama and devotion is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM onwards at Hare Krishna Mandir in Bhadaj, near Science City. The event brings together spiritual performances and devotional drama, giving residents a meaningful way to mark Vijayadashami with their families. The location near Science City makes it accessible for people from different parts of the city.
Surat: 55-Foot Robotic Ravan
Surat’s major attraction is a 55-foot robotic Ravan built by the Ashapuri Bhakt Mandal. The event features advanced fire effects and a Ramayana-based sound-and-action show at Ashapuri Mataji Mandir Ground in Dumas. The programme brings together technology, performance and the traditional theme of Dussehra through a large-scale public spectacle. This robotic Ravan has become one of the most talked-about attractions in Surat this year, drawing visitors from across the city and nearby areas.
Vadodara: 45th Annual Ravan Dahan
In Vadodara, the Uttar Bharatiya Sanskriti Sangh is hosting its 45th annual Ravan Dahan celebration at Polo Ground. The event includes a Ramleela performance scheduled from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, followed immediately by the burning of the effigies. The long tradition of this event reflects the strong cultural roots of Dussehra celebrations in Vadodara, and the Ramleela performance adds a layer of storytelling that helps the audience connect with the epic tale behind the festival.
Shastra Puja Observances Across the State
Shastra Puja, the worship of traditional weapons and tools, was conducted across Gujarat as part of Vijayadashami observances. State security forces also held ceremonies. In Rajkot, rituals were led by Police Commissioner Brajesh Kumar Jha, while senior police authorities conducted ceremonies at headquarters in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. These observances reflect the traditional association of Vijayadashami with discipline, strength and the ceremonial worship of weapons and tools. The practice is particularly significant for security personnel, who honour their equipment and tools on this day as a mark of respect and readiness.
One Last Night of Garba and Dandiya Raas
This year’s Dashami celebrations coincide with the conclusion of the nine-night Navratri festival, creating an opportunity for one final round of Garba and Dandiya Raas. Multiple venues across Ahmedabad and other major centres are hosting special extensions of Navratri celebrations. Residents can enjoy traditional dance programmes late into the night as the festive period draws to a close. The extended celebrations offer another opportunity for communities to gather and participate in Gujarat’s much-loved cultural traditions. For many, this final night of Garba is an emotional and joyful way to bring the Navratri season to an end.
Festival Wishes from Gujarat’s Leaders
Earlier in the day, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi extended their wishes to the public. Their messages expressed hope that the festival would strengthen social harmony, peace and brotherhood across society. These wishes reflect the spirit of Vijayadashami, which is not just about the victory of good over evil but also about coming together as a community in harmony and goodwill.
Conclusion
Dussehra 2026 brings together Gujarat’s religious traditions, popular food culture, public celebrations and community gatherings. From the morning rush for fafda-jalebi in Ahmedabad and Surat to the robotic Ravan show in Dumas, the Ramleela programme in Vadodara, Shastra Puja ceremonies and the final night of Garba, the festival offers a range of ways to participate in Vijayadashami. As people come together to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, the occasion also highlights the importance of cultural traditions, peace and social harmony across Gujarat. The festival serves as a reminder that these values remain as relevant today as they were in the times of the Ramayana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When is Dussehra 2026 being celebrated in Gujarat?
A1. Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is being celebrated across Gujarat on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marking the triumph of good over evil.
Q2. What is the traditional Dussehra breakfast in Gujarat?
A2. The traditional Dussehra breakfast in Gujarat is fafda and jalebi. Long queues form at sweet shops and snack outlets in cities like Ahmedabad and Surat as residents buy this popular festive combination.
Q3. Where are the major Ravan Dahan events taking place in Gujarat?
A3. Major Ravan Dahan events include a programme at Hare Krishna Mandir in Bhadaj, Ahmedabad, a 55-foot robotic Ravan at Ashapuri Mataji Mandir Ground in Dumas, Surat, and the 45th annual Ravan Dahan at Polo Ground in Vadodara.
Q4. What is Shastra Puja and where was it observed in Gujarat?
A4. Shastra Puja is the worship of traditional weapons and tools conducted as part of Vijayadashami observances. In Gujarat, ceremonies were held in Rajkot, led by Police Commissioner Brajesh Kumar Jha, and at headquarters in Rajkot and Ahmedabad.
Q5. How does Dussehra 2026 connect with the end of Navratri in Gujarat?
A5. Dussehra 2026 coincides with the conclusion of the nine-night Navratri festival, with multiple venues across Ahmedabad and other major centres hosting special extensions of Garba and Dandiya Raas celebrations late into the night.