Telugu Festival
దసరా — నవరాత్రి
Dasara — Navaratri
Nine nights of Durga worship and Vijayadasami 2026
2026 Date
Thursday, October 15, 2026
భాద్రపదం బహుళ undefined, పరాభవ నామ సంవత్సరం
Panchangam for Dasara — Navaratri 2026
📍 Hyderabad, IST · October 15, 2026
Tithi
Krishna Paksha undefined
బహుళ undefined
Vara
Thursday
గురువారం
Nakshatra
Yoga
Karana
Timings (Hyderabad IST)
Rahu Kalam
1:30 pm – 2:58 pm
Gulika Kalam
9:05 am – 10:33 am
Yamagandam
6:09 am – 7:37 am
Abhijit Muhurtham
11:38 am – 12:26 pm
Sunrise / Sunset
6:09 am / 5:54 pm
Muhurta Guidance
Vijayadasami's most auspicious moment is the Vijaya Muhurtham — an approximately 2-hour window in the afternoon considered most powerful for beginning new endeavors. Starting a new job, learning a new skill, or making a major purchase during this time is considered highly auspicious.
Significance — ప్రాధాన్యత
Navaratri (nine nights) is one of the most sacred festival periods in the Hindu calendar, culminating in Vijayadasami (Dasara) — the tenth day of victory. In 2026, Navaratri begins on October 15 and Vijayadasami falls on October 24. The festival celebrates Goddess Durga's nine-day battle against the demon Mahishasura, culminating in his defeat on the tenth day.
In Telugu tradition, each of the nine nights is dedicated to a different form of Durga. Families set up the Bommala Koluvu (Golu) — a stepped platform displaying clay dolls of deities, scenes from mythology, and miniature figures — which is the centrepiece of Navaratri in Andhra homes.
Vijayadasami is celebrated as the day Lord Rama defeated Ravana (in North India symbolised by the burning of Ravana effigies) and also as the day Arjuna retrieved his weapons from the Shami tree. It is considered the most auspicious day in the year to begin new ventures, new learning, and Vidyarambham (initiation into education) for young children.
Mysore Dasara is world-famous, but Vijayadasami in Andhra and Telangana has its own grandeur — with Golu exhibitions, Saraswati Puja for books and instruments, and the ceremonial crossing of boundaries (Simhavalokanam).
Rituals — పూజా విధానం
Set up the Bommala Koluvu (Golu) — odd-numbered steps (7 or 9) with dolls arranged thematically
Each evening: light lamps before the Golu, recite Devi Mahatmyam or Lalitha Sahasranama
Invite women and children to view the Golu and offer them vibhuti, kumkum and prasadam
On Saraswati Puja (Navami): place books, instruments and tools before Saraswati for blessing
Ayudha Puja — worship of vehicles, tools and professional instruments on Navami or Dasara
Vijayadasami: begin new learning, start a new business, purchase property, or perform Vidyarambham for children
Cross a symbolic boundary (Seemollanghan) in the eastward direction at dawn — traditionally done by warriors before battle
Distribute Navaratri prasadam (sundal / guggillu) each evening
Telugu Traditions — తెలుగు సంప్రదాయాలు
Bommala Koluvu (Golu) — in Telugu homes, a 7 or 9-step display of clay and wooden dolls is the Navaratri centrepiece; families spend years collecting thematic sets
Saraswati Puja on Navami — all books, pens, musical instruments and even laptops are placed before Saraswati and not used until Vijayadasami morning
Vidyarambham on Vijayadasami — young children are initiated into learning as elders guide their hand to write their first letter (Om or their name) in a plate of rice
Guggillu (whole boiled legumes seasoned with coconut) given to visitors as Navaratri prasadam — a different variety each day
Sundal (chana, peanut or black-eyed pea salad) distributed in South Indian tradition
Shami tree (jammi chettu) worship — Telangana families worship the Shami tree and exchange jammi leaves as gold ("Jammi vidichanu")
Traditional Foods — పండుగ వంటలు
Guggillu
whole boiled legumes with coconut, mustard and curry leaves (a different lentil/grain each day)
Sundal
seasoned whole chickpeas or peanuts
Chakkara Pongali
sweet rice offered to the goddess
Tamarind Pulihora
offered on Vijayadasami as prasadam
Sago / Sabudana Khichdi
popular fasting food during Navaratri
Coconut rice and sesame rice as paired naivedyam
Related Festivals
2026 Telugu Calendar
All festivals, Ekadashis, Pournami and auspicious dates