Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20, and Dehradun is preparing for its biggest Ravan Dahan yet. The 79th Dussehra Mahotsav at the historic Parade Ground will burn a 181-foot Ravan effigy, the tallest ever in Uttarakhand, along with 70-foot effigies of Kumbhkaran and Meghnad and a Lanka set.
This guide covers everything you need before you go: the main venue, entry cut-off time, expected Ravan Dahan timing, other Dussehra venues across Dehradun, the expected traffic diversions, and where to park.
Quick answer: Ravan Dahan in Dehradun is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Parade Ground. Entry closes at 4:00 PM. The programme starts with Lanka Dahan, followed by Meghnad and Kumbhkaran, and then the 181-ft Ravan, which will be lit by remote control. Expect road closures around Parade Ground from midday.
Dussehra 2026 Date and Muhurat
| Observance | Date |
|---|---|
| Sharad Navratri begins | Sunday, October 11 |
| Durga Ashtami | Sunday, October 18 |
| Maha Navami | Monday, October 19 |
| Dussehra / Vijayadashami | Tuesday, October 20 |
| Dashami tithi | 12:50 PM, Oct 20 to 2:11 PM, Oct 21 |
| Diwali | Sunday, November 8 |
Ravan Dahan is held in the evening after sunset, and each local committee sets its own time.
Ravan Dahan at Parade Ground, Dehradun (Main Event)
The Parade Ground Dussehra is organised every year by the Bannu Biradari Dussehra Committee and is the city’s biggest celebration. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is expected as the chief guest.
| Detail | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| Venue | Parade Ground, Dehradun |
| Edition | 79th Dussehra Mahotsav |
| Ravan effigy | 181 feet (Uttarakhand’s tallest) |
| Kumbhkaran & Meghnad | 70 feet each |
| Budget | About ₹21 lakh (about ₹16 lakh last year) |
| Public entry | Until 4:00 PM only |
| Lighting | Remote-controlled charges inside the Ravan effigy |
| Order of burning | Lanka, then Meghnad and Kumbhkaran, then Ravan |
| Fireworks | Organisers say eco-friendly crackers will also be used |
How the 181-ft Ravan compares
Last year, Parade Ground burned a 121-foot Ravan, with Kumbhkaran and Meghnad at 70 and 75 feet. In 2024 the effigy was 65 feet. That makes 2026’s Ravan by far the tallest the city has seen.
What time is Ravan Dahan in Dehradun?
The committee has announced the 4 PM entry cut-off but not an exact Ravan Dahan time yet. In recent years the programme began at about 5 PM with Lanka Dahan, and in 2024 Lanka Dahan was at 5:30 PM and Ravan Dahan at 6:05 PM. Plan to be inside the ground before 4 PM and expect Ravan Dahan roughly between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM. We will update this guide once the exact time is announced.
Shobha Yatra route 2026
The Dussehra procession leaves Shri Kalika Mandir after puja and passes through Paltan Bazaar, Moti Bazaar and Chakrata Road before reaching Parade Ground. In past years it left around 2 PM and reached Parade Ground by 4 PM.
New this year: because of heavy crowds in past years, the procession will enter Parade Ground from the Tibetan Market gate instead of the gate opposite Doon Club. Police teams and bouncers from the committee will be posted at every gate.
Other Dussehra and Ramlila Venues in Dehradun 2026
If you want to avoid the Parade Ground crowd, these celebrations are also listed for this season:
| Venue | What’s on | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ramlila Maidan, Panchayat Bhawan, Danda Khudanewala (near IT Park, Sahastradhara Road) | 32nd Ramlila Mahotsav, Danda Lakhaund | October 9–21 |
| Shri Guru Nanak Public School ground, Race Course | Tehri (1952) Ramlila revival | Staging through Navratri |
| Mela ground, Rajiv Nagar, Doiwala | 31st Dussehra Mela with Ravan and Meghnad effigies | Tuesday, October 20 |
Neighbourhood Ramlila committees across the city also hold smaller effigy burnings on Dussehra evening. Ask your local mandir or RWA for timings.
Dehradun Dussehra Traffic Diversion and Parking
Dehradun Police issue the official Dussehra traffic plan a day or two before the festival. The 2026 plan had not been released at the time of writing (October 17). The pointers below follow the plan used in recent years, so expect something very similar, and check the Dehradun Police update on October 19.
What to expect on October 20
- Diversions from about 12 noon until the programme ends.
- Zero zone around Parade Ground: no vehicles or street vendors on the roads circling the ground.
- Barrier points in recent years included Buddha Chowk, Darshan Lal Chowk, Doonga House junction, Kanak Chowk, Employment Office junction, Convent trisection, Orient Chowk, Survey Chowk, Manoj Clinic, Hotel Pacific Square and Lansdowne Chowk.
- Vikrams and city buses: Route 5 and Route 8 Vikrams were turned back at Railway Gate; Route 2 Vikrams did not run from the Pant Road stand; some Vikrams were turned back at Sahastradhara Crossing; Raipur Road, Maldevta and Sahastradhara Road buses dropped passengers at Survey Chowk and ran from Chuna Bhatta.
- Roads to avoid in the afternoon: Paltan Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Chakrata Road, Rajpur Road near Astley Hall and Gandhi Park, and Kanak Chowk.
Where to park for Ravan Dahan at Parade Ground
| Type | Parking spots used in recent years |
|---|---|
| General parking | Rangers Ground, Mangla Devi Inter College, Pavilion Ground |
| Overflow (from Rajpur Road side) | Secretariat, SGRR School (opposite Mangla Devi Inter College) |
| Overflow (from Rispana side) | Bannu School ground |
| Other overflow | Single-lane parking opposite Polytechnic and between Kachahari parking / Himalayan Arms and Doon Chowk |
| VIP / officials | Behind the Parade Ground stage, Doon Club, Doonga House |
Parking fills up fast. Police usually advise using two-wheelers, sharing rides or walking the last stretch.
Tips for Watching Ravan Dahan at Parade Ground
- Reach by 3 PM. Entry closes at 4 PM sharp, and the roads around the ground start closing from midday.
- Leave the car at home if you can. Take an auto, cab or two-wheeler, or park at Rangers Ground or Mangla Devi Inter College and walk.
- Keep children close. The crowd at Parade Ground runs into thousands every year. Agree on a meeting point near a gate in case anyone gets separated.
- Stand well back from the effigies. The 181-ft Ravan carries remote-detonated charges and heavy fireworks.
- Carry less: a phone, some cash, water and a light jacket, since October evenings in Dehradun turn cool.
- Leaving after the dahan: exits get crowded for 30–45 minutes. Waiting a little before heading out is often faster.
- Check the police update on October 19 for the final traffic plan.
Dussehra 2026 Dehradun: FAQs
When is Dussehra 2026 in Dehradun?
Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The main Ravan Dahan is at Parade Ground that evening.
Where is the biggest Ravan Dahan in Dehradun?
At Parade Ground, organised by the Bannu Biradari Dussehra Committee. This year’s 181-foot Ravan is the tallest in Uttarakhand.
What time is Ravan Dahan at Parade Ground?
Entry closes at 4 PM. The exact time has not been announced yet; based on recent years, expect Ravan Dahan between about 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, after Lanka, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran.
How tall is the Ravan effigy in Dehradun in 2026?
181 feet, with Kumbhkaran and Meghnad at 70 feet each. It cost about ₹21 lakh and will be lit by remote control.
Which roads will be closed on Dussehra in Dehradun?
In recent years, a zero zone was set up around Parade Ground from about 12 noon, with barriers at points such as Kanak Chowk, Survey Chowk, Darshan Lal Chowk and Buddha Chowk. The official 2026 plan will be released by Dehradun Police before the festival.
Where can I park for Dussehra at Parade Ground?
Rangers Ground, Mangla Devi Inter College and Pavilion Ground have been the main public parking spots, with overflow at the Secretariat, SGRR School and Bannu School ground.
What is the Shobha Yatra route in Dehradun in 2026?
The procession starts at Shri Kalika Mandir and passes through Paltan Bazaar, Moti Bazaar and Chakrata Road before entering Parade Ground from the Tibetan Market gate.
Are there other Ravan Dahan venues in Dehradun?
Yes. The 31st Dussehra Mela at Rajiv Nagar, Doiwala, burns Ravan and Meghnad effigies on October 20, and Ramlilas run at Danda Lakhaund (Sahastradhara Road) and Race Course.
Plan the Rest of Your Festive Week
- Pacific Mall Dehradun: Shops, Food, PVR & Timings: for festive shopping before Diwali
- Centrio Mall Dehradun Guide
- Best Cafes in Dehradun (2026)
- Best Cafes on Rajpur Road: close to Parade Ground
- Top 5 Luxury Hotels on Rajpur Road: if you are visiting for the festival
- Sahastradhara: Timings, Entry Fee & Ropeway
- Maldevta Dehradun: Things to Do
- Tourist Places in Dehradun 2026
Final Word
This year’s Dehradun Dussehra will be one to remember, with a record 181-foot Ravan at Parade Ground. Get there before the 4 PM entry cut-off, use the designated parking, and expect afternoon road closures around the city centre. Dehradun Insider will update this guide with the official Ravan Dahan time and the 2026 police traffic plan as soon as they are released.
