When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Dussehra (Vijayadashami) celebrated in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Dussehra 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (Ashwin Shukla Dashami). The Dashami tithi extends through Tuesday afternoon and evening, which is the prime time for Simollanghan and Apta leaf exchange.

What is the exact Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat in Maharashtra?

The most auspicious Vijay Muhurat for initiating new businesses, purchasing vehicles, and buying property on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, is from 02:08 PM to 02:54 PM. The Shami Pujan and Apta leaf exchange window occurs at twilight during Aparahna Kaal between 01:21 PM and 03:40 PM.

Why do people in Maharashtra exchange Apta leaves as 'Gold' on Dussehra?

This unique Maharashtrian tradition honors the Puranic legend of Sage Kautsa and King Raghu, where Lord Kubera showered gold coins upon the leaves of Shami and Apta trees. Exchanging these heart-shaped leaves with the words 'Sona Ghya, Sonyasarkhe Raha' symbolizes sharing unblemished goodwill, prosperity, and love.

What is the historical significance of Simollanghan in the Maratha Empire?

Simollanghan literally translates to 'crossing the frontier'. In the 17th and 18th centuries under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas, Dussehra marked the formal conclusion of the monsoon lull. On this day, Maratha cavalry forces inspected weapons, blessed warhorses, crossed territorial borders, and embarked on military campaigns to defend Swarajya.

Is Dussehra a Sade-Teen Muhurta in Maharashtra?

Yes, Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is considered one of the three complete auspicious Sade-Teen Muhurtas in the Marathi calendar (alongside Gudi Padwa and Akshaya Tritiya). Any activity initiated on this day requires no horoscope checking.

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) 2026 | दसरा / विजयादशमी

Dussehra Apta Leaves Gold Exchange Maharashtra Celebration

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About Dussehra (Vijayadashami)(उत्सव माहिती)

Dussehra (दसरा / विजयादशमी), falling on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, is celebrated with unmatched regal grandeur, martial pride, and emotional warmth throughout Maharashtra. Revered as one of Maharashtra's paramount Sade-Teen Muhurtas (साडेतीन मुहूर्त), this supreme day of victory commemorates two legendary triumphs: Lord Rama's vanquishing of the ten-headed demon king Ravana, and Goddess Durga's slaying of the buffalo demon Mahishasura after a furious nine-day battle.

Across Maharashtra, the day has an unmistakable sensory atmosphere: doorways are adorned with vibrant golden-orange Zendu (Marigold) torans and mango leaves, vehicles and home equipment glisten with red Chandan and garlands for Ayudha Puja (शस्त्र / अवजार पूजा), and kitchens aroma with pure ghee, hot dal, and sweet Puran Poli or Shrikhand Puri.

As twilight descends on Dussehra evening, the unique Maharashtrian community ritual of Simollanghan (सीमोल्लंघन) and Apta Pujan (आपट्याची पूजा) takes center stage. Families dress in their finest Paithani sarees and festive Kurtas to visit local Shami and Apta (*Bauhinia racemosa*) trees. Devotees reverently touch the tree branches, pray for fortitude, collect the tender heart-shaped green leaves, and visit friends, relatives, and village elders. Presenting these fresh leaves as symbolic gold (*'सोनं घ्या आणि सोन्यासारखे रहा!'* — 'Accept this gold and remain precious as gold'), younger family members touch the feet of their elders to receive blessings (*Aashirwad*), dissolving old grudges in an embrace of goodwill.

History: The history and sacred lore of Dussehra in Maharashtra weave together ancient Puranic legends and proud Maratha martial history:

1. The Legend of Kautsa and the Shower of Gold: The Skanda Purana narrates the tale of young scholar Kautsa, who insisted on paying his Guru Varatantu a Guru Dakshina of 14 crore gold coins. Kautsa approached the generous King Raghu (ancestor of Rama). Having just emptied his treasury in a charitable sacrifice, King Raghu resolved to wage war on Lord Kubera (the treasurer of the gods) to obtain the gold. To avoid cosmic war, Kubera miraculously rained down millions of gold coins upon the leaves of the Shami and Apta trees bordering Raghu's capital. Kautsa took only what his Guru requested; the remaining mountain of gold was distributed joyfully to all subjects. Ever since, Maharashtrians exchange Apta leaves as symbolic gold (*Suvarna*).

2. The Pandavas & The Shami Tree: During their 13th year of exile incognito (*Agyatvas*), the five Pandavas concealed their divine celestial weapons (including Arjuna's Gandiva bow) inside the hollow bark of a Shami tree near Virata's kingdom. On Vijayadashami, they retrieved their weapons, worshiped the tree in gratitude, and defeated the Kaurava army, heralding their rightful restoration.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Maratha Simollanghan: For the Maratha Empire, Dussehra was the official opening of the military campaigning season. During the four monsoon months, Maratha cavalry (Bargirs and Shiledars) rested and tended their farmland. On Dussehra day, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and later the Peshwas assembled the Maratha army, performed Shastra Puja on swords, cannons, and warhorses, and crossed the formal kingdom boundaries (*Simollanghan*) to launch sovereign campaigns against oppressive imperial regimes.

Significance: The observance of Dussehra carries profound psychological, cultural, and spiritual importance:

Sade-Teen Muhurta (साडेतीन मुहूर्त): One of the rare days of absolute astrological auspiciousness where any business venture, house possession (Griha Pravesh), vehicle purchase, or educational milestone initiated is destined for victory and endurance.
Social Cohesion through Apta Gold: The act of walking from home to home distributing Apta leaves bridges generation gaps and reconciles broken ties through humility and shared joy.
Ayudha Puja & Dignity of Labor: Worshiping the tools of one's trade — from agricultural sickles and weaving looms to modern laptops, machinery, and vehicles — sanctifies human labor as divine worship.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning bath, hanging fresh orange Marigold (Zendu) and green mango leaf Torans across all entrance doorways.

Ayudha Puja: Scrubbing clean household tools, agricultural implements, books, musical instruments, and vehicles, adorning them with turmeric-kumkum, marigold garlands, and breaking a sacred coconut.

Saraswati and Vidyarambha Puja: Honoring notebooks, ledgers, and initiation of young children into writing the sacred alphabet.

Evening Simollanghan: Procession to the boundary of the locality or village to worship the Shami and Apta trees.

Exchanging Apta leaves (आपट्याची पाने) with family, relatives, neighbors, and elders while uttering the traditional blessing 'सोनं घ्या, सोन्यासारखे रहा'.

Touching elders' feet (Charan Sparsh) to receive blessings for prosperity and longevity.

Enjoying a sumptuous family dinner of Puran Poli served with Katachi Amti or Shrikhand Puri.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Puran Poli (delicate wheat flatbread stuffed with slow-cooked chana dal, jaggery, cardamom, and nutmeg, served with generous molten ghee)

Katachi Amti (thin, fiery spiced sweet-and-sour lentil broth prepared using the strained water from boiled chana dal)

Shrikhand Puri (luscious saffron-infused strained yogurt dessert paired with crisp golden whole-wheat puris)

Kothimbir Vadi (steamed and crisp-fried coriander chickpea flour cakes)

Kurdaya and Sandge (sun-dried Maharashtrian fried crisps)

Jalebi Fafda / Dudh Jalebi (traditional festive sweet savored on Vijayadashami morning)