Dashain Tika 2026: Date, Time, Saait and Complete Vijaya Dashami Guide

Dashain Tika 2026 falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 (Kartik 4, 2083 BS). The currently reported auspicious time, or tika ko saait, is 11:53 AM Nepal Standard Time.

For millions of Nepalis, this is the most anticipated day of the Dashain festival.

On Vijaya Dashami, families across Nepal gather at the homes of parents, grandparents and other elders to receive tika, jamara, blessings and dakshina. Roads that were busy with people returning home in the days before Dashain become quieter, while homes fill with relatives, traditional food, new clothes and the familiar red tika of the festival.

Dashain 2026 is slightly later than many people may expect. Ghatasthapana falls on October 11, while Vijaya Dashami falls on October 21 and Kojagrat Purnima falls on October 25. Nepali calendar sources list these dates for 2083 BS.

If you are looking for the Dashain Tika 2026 date and time, planning to return to Nepal for Dashain, or simply want to understand what happens on Vijaya Dashami, this guide covers the date, saait, Dashain calendar, meaning of tika and jamara, traditions, travel considerations and frequently asked questions.

When Is Dashain Tika 2026?

Dashain Tika 2026 is on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

In the Bikram Sambat calendar, Vijaya Dashami falls on Kartik 4, 2083 BS.

The currently reported most auspicious time for receiving Dashain Tika is:

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Nepali date: Kartik 4, 2083 BS
Tika Saait: 11:53 AM Nepal Standard Time
Festival: Vijaya Dashami / Bada Dashain
Location reference: Nepal Time (NPT/NST, UTC+5:45)

Several current 2083 BS calendar sources list October 21 as Vijaya Dashami, while current Dashain 2083 guides report the 11:53 AM tika muhurat.

Is 11:53 AM the official Dashain Tika Saait?

The 11:53 AM time is currently reported as the auspicious Dashain Tika muhurat for 2083 BS, and current calendar sources attribute it to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti.

However, because auspicious timings can be formally announced or clarified through the calendar committee’s official publications, it is sensible to verify the final saait closer to October 21 before treating the minute as definitive.

This distinction matters because an exact tika saait is not simply an ordinary clock time. It is calculated according to the traditional Panchanga and astrological considerations.

For an article intended to remain accurate through October 2026, we recommend displaying:

Currently reported Dashain Tika Saait: 11:53 AM, October 21, 2026. Check the final Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti announcement for any official update.

Dashain Tika 2026 Date and Time at a Glance

Information	Details
Festival	Dashain / Bada Dashain
Main day	Vijaya Dashami
Tika date	Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Nepali date	Kartik 4, 2083 BS
Reported tika saait	11:53 AM
Time zone	Nepal Standard Time
Tika	Red tika, traditionally made with abir, rice and yogurt
Jamara	Sacred barley shoots grown from Ghatasthapana
Given by	Elders to younger family members
Common blessing	Long life, happiness, prosperity and success

Dashain 2026 Dates

Dashain is traditionally observed over 15 days, beginning with Ghatasthapana and ending with Kojagrat Purnima.

Here are the major dates for Dashain 2083 / Dashain 2026:

Day	Festival / Ritual	Date in 2026	Nepali Date
Day 1	Ghatasthapana	October 11, Sunday	Ashwin 25, 2083
Day 7	Phulpati	October 17, Saturday	Ashwin 31, 2083
Day 8	Maha Ashtami	October 18, Sunday	Kartik 1, 2083
Day 9	Maha Navami	October 20, Tuesday	Kartik 3, 2083
Day 10	Vijaya Dashami / Tika	October 21, Wednesday	Kartik 4, 2083
Day 15	Kojagrat Purnima	October 25, Sunday	Kartik 8, 2083

Current Nepali calendar sources independently list October 11 as Ghatasthapana, October 17 as Phulpati, October 18 as Maha Ashtami, October 20 as Maha Navami, October 21 as Vijaya Dashami and October 25 as Kojagrat Purnima.

What Is Dashain Tika?

Dashain Tika is the central family ceremony of Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day of Bada Dashain.

On this day, younger family members visit or gather at the homes of elders. The elder places tika on their forehead, puts jamara behind their ears or on their head, gives blessings and traditionally offers dakshina, usually money.

The ceremony represents receiving blessings from one’s elders.

For many Nepali families, this is also the day when relatives who live far away finally come together.

People travel from cities to their ancestral villages. Nepalis living abroad try to return home when possible. Families prepare special meals, buy new clothes and clean their homes before the festival.

That is why Dashain Tika is about much more than the red mark on someone’s forehead.

It is a family reunion.

What Does Vijaya Dashami Mean?

The word Vijaya Dashami combines Vijaya, meaning victory, and Dashami, referring to the tenth lunar day.

The festival is traditionally associated with the victory of good over evil and the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

Dashain traditions vary considerably among Nepal’s different ethnic and cultural communities, but the themes of worship, family, blessings and renewal are central to the festival.

For many Nepalis, Vijaya Dashami is the emotional centre of the entire 15-day Dashain period.

Why Is Dashain Tika So Important in Nepal?

Dashain is celebrated throughout Nepal, but the way families celebrate it can look very different from one region to another.

In the cities, families may gather in apartments or urban homes.

In villages, several generations may return to an ancestral house.

In the hills, people may travel for hours along mountain roads to reach their home village.

In the Terai, the rituals may have their own local variations.

Despite those differences, receiving blessings from elders on Vijaya Dashami remains one of the most recognizable Dashain traditions in Nepal.

For people who have moved abroad, Dashain Tika can carry an additional meaning.

The person applying the tika might be a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt or another senior family member. For someone living overseas, receiving that blessing can become one of the reasons they make the long journey home.

What Is Dashain Tika Made Of?

The traditional tika used during Dashain is generally prepared using red vermilion or abir, rice and yogurt, although recipes and practices can vary between families and communities.

The red colour is visually associated with auspiciousness, strength and celebration.

Rice represents abundance and prosperity in the agricultural traditions surrounding the festival.

Yogurt is commonly included in the tika mixture and forms part of the traditional preparation used by many families.

There is no single preparation followed by every Nepali household, so visitors should not assume that every family makes tika in exactly the same way.

What Is Jamara?

If you see people wearing small yellow-green shoots behind their ears during Dashain, those are jamara.

Jamara consists of young barley shoots grown during Dashain.

They begin on Ghatasthapana, the first day of the festival.

On Ghatasthapana, barley seeds are planted in a prepared mixture of soil and sand, usually in a place protected from direct sunlight. Over the next nine or ten days, the shoots grow tall and pale yellow.

By Vijaya Dashami, the jamara is ready to be used during the tika ceremony.

Elders place the jamara along with tika while giving blessings to younger family members.

For many Nepalis, seeing jamara behind someone’s ears is one of the clearest signs that Dashain has arrived.

Ghatasthapana 2026: The Beginning of Dashain

Dashain 2026 begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday, October 11.

This is the first day of the 15-day festival.

The word Ghatasthapana refers to the establishment of the sacred ghata, or ceremonial vessel.

Families prepare a special area for worship, establish the kalash and plant barley seeds for jamara.

The exact rituals vary among communities and households.

The small patch of growing barley may appear simple, but over the following days it becomes an important part of the family’s Dashain Tika ceremony.

Phulpati 2026

Phulpati falls on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Phulpati is the seventh day of Dashain and marks an important point in the festival.

A collection of sacred flowers, plants, leaves and other auspicious items is traditionally brought into homes during this day.

In Kathmandu, the Phulpati procession to Hanuman Dhoka is one of the most visible public Dashain traditions.

For visitors in Nepal, this is one of the better opportunities to see Dashain as a public cultural event rather than only a private family celebration.

Maha Ashtami 2026

Maha Ashtami falls on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

The eighth day is dedicated to powerful forms of the Goddess and is associated with intensive worship.

In different parts of Nepal, families and temples conduct rituals and sacrifices as part of their Dashain traditions.

Major temples can become especially busy during this period.

The practices vary by community and location, and not every Nepali family follows animal sacrifice traditions.

Maha Navami 2026

Maha Navami falls on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

This is the ninth day of Dashain and comes immediately before Vijaya Dashami.

One well-known tradition is Ayudha Puja, the worship of weapons, tools and vehicles.

The basic idea is to honour the tools and equipment people depend upon for work and livelihood.

In modern Nepal, this can mean everything from traditional agricultural tools to motorcycles, cars and machinery.

The famous Taleju Temple at Hanuman Dhoka is also associated with the major Dashain rituals of Kathmandu, although access to some religious ceremonies is restricted.

Vijaya Dashami 2026

Then comes the day everyone has been waiting for.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Vijaya Dashami is the tenth day of Dashain and the principal day for receiving tika and jamara.

The reported auspicious time is 11:53 AM Nepal Standard Time.

Families gather early.

Homes that have been cleaned and decorated for the festival become busy with relatives.

People dress in new or their best clothes.

Children wait for dakshina.

Grandparents and parents prepare the tika.

Then the blessings begin.

In many families, relatives receive tika from the oldest or most senior members first before moving through the generations.

How Is Dashain Tika Given?

A typical Dashain Tika ceremony follows a simple sequence, although exact practices vary.

The younger family member sits before the elder.

The elder applies the red tika to the forehead.

Jamara is placed behind the ears or on the head.

The elder gives Aashirbad, or blessings.

Dakshina may then be given.

The family member moves aside and the next person receives tika.

In a large extended family, this can continue for hours.

One house may receive dozens of relatives throughout the day.

This is why Dashain Tika is often less like a single ceremony and more like a full day of visiting relatives.

Can You Receive Dashain Tika From More Than One Elder?

Yes.

It is common for Nepalis to visit several relatives during Dashain and receive tika from different elders.

A person may first receive tika from their parents, then travel to a grandparent’s home, followed by visits to uncles, aunts and other senior relatives.

This is also one reason the roads become exceptionally busy around Dashain.

People are not necessarily travelling to one destination.

They may be making several family visits throughout the day.

How Long Can You Receive Dashain Tika?

Although Vijaya Dashami is the main tika day, Dashain celebrations do not necessarily stop after the auspicious time on October 21.

Many Nepali families continue visiting elders and receiving tika during the following days.

This is particularly important for people who cannot reach their family home on the main day.

The exact practices can differ by family, community and religious tradition, so there is no need to treat 11:53 AM as a deadline after which Dashain Tika is no longer possible.

The saait is the most auspicious time, rather than an indication that the entire ceremony must be completed within one minute.

Dashain Tika Time in Different Countries

For Nepalis living outside Nepal, the Nepal-based tika saait needs to be converted to local time.

Using 11:53 AM Nepal Standard Time as the reference:

Location	Approximate local time
Kathmandu, Nepal	11:53 AM
New Delhi, India	11:38 AM
Dubai, UAE	10:08 AM
Doha, Qatar	8:08 AM
London, UK	7:08 AM
New York, USA	2:08 AM
Los Angeles, USA	11:08 PM on October 20
Sydney, Australia	5:08 PM
Tokyo, Japan	3:08 PM

These are time-zone conversions of the Nepal time, not separate official auspicious times issued for each country.

Nepali communities abroad may follow local religious calendars and country-specific auspicious timings rather than simply converting Nepal’s time. If you are publishing international tika times, the final article should therefore distinguish between Nepal’s official/reference saait and locally calculated timings abroad.

Why Is Dashain 2026 Later Than Some Previous Years?

One thing people may notice when searching for Dashain 2026 is that the festival falls later in October.

In 2025, Vijaya Dashami was in early October.

In 2026, it falls on October 21.

This difference comes from the lunisolar calendar system used to determine traditional festival dates.

The Nepali calendar does not simply assign Dashain to the same Gregorian date every year. Lunar calculations and the relationship between lunar months and the solar year can move major festivals considerably on the Western calendar.

Some 2026 calendar sources also attribute the later Dashain to an intercalary month, or Adhik Maas/Mala Maas, earlier in the 2083 BS calendar.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple:

Do not assume Dashain happens in September or early October every year. Check the Nepali calendar for the specific year.

What Happens in Nepal During Dashain?

Dashain changes the rhythm of the country.

People leave Kathmandu.

Buses fill with passengers.

Airports become busy.

Highways experience heavy traffic.

Villages that normally have relatively few residents can suddenly become full of returning family members.

Kathmandu can feel unusually quiet on some Dashain days because so many residents travel outside the capital.

For international travelers, this can be both interesting and challenging.

Some businesses close or operate on reduced schedules.

Public transport can be extremely busy before the main festival.

Flights and long-distance buses can sell out around the peak travel period.

At the same time, visitors who remain in Kathmandu can experience a very different city from the one they see during normal working weeks.

Dashain Tika and Family Reunions

The strongest part of Dashain is often what happens away from the temples.

It happens around dining tables.

In family courtyards.

In village houses.

In Kathmandu apartments.

At grandparents’ homes.

Someone arrives carrying gifts.

Someone else brings meat and vegetables.

Children wait for tika.

Older relatives sit together and tell stories.

Phones stay busy as families connect with relatives overseas.

For Nepalis living outside the country, Dashain can become a reminder of home.

That is why the festival remains so important even as Nepal becomes increasingly urban and internationally connected.

What Do People Eat During Dashain?

Food is an important part of the festival.

Dashain meals vary significantly across Nepal, but common festive foods include:

• Goat meat
• Chicken
• Mutton
• Rice
• Dal
• Vegetables
• Pickles
• Sel roti
• Homemade sweets and snacks

In many families, meat is more abundant during Dashain than during ordinary weeks.

The food traditions also reflect the festival’s connection with harvest and seasonal abundance.

However, vegetarian families and different religious communities may have very different Dashain menus.

There is no single “Dashain meal” eaten by everyone in Nepal.

Where Can Travelers Experience Dashain in Nepal?

If you are visiting Nepal during Dashain, Kathmandu is an obvious starting point, but the festival looks different throughout the country.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu offers public rituals, temples, processions and the famous Phulpati celebration.

The old city around Hanuman Dhoka is particularly important.

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur provides an opportunity to experience Dashain within a historic Newar cityscape.

Traditional courtyards and temples create a very different atmosphere from modern Kathmandu.

Patan

Patan’s temples and traditional neighbourhoods also offer a strong cultural setting for observing the festival.

Rural Nepal

For travelers interested in the family side of Dashain, rural communities can offer a very different experience.

However, visitors should not simply enter private homes or family ceremonies without an invitation.

Dashain is primarily a family and religious festival.

If someone invites you to participate, accept respectfully and follow their lead.

What Should Foreign Visitors Know About Dashain Tika?

If you are traveling in Nepal during Dashain, you may eventually be offered tika.

If a family or host invites you to participate, it is generally appropriate to accept respectfully.

You can ask what you should do if you are unsure.

Sit where you are invited to sit.

Allow the elder to apply the tika and jamara.

Say thank you.

Do not make jokes about the religious ceremony.

Photography should be approached carefully, especially inside homes or during private rituals.

The best experience is usually to let your host explain the tradition rather than treating it as a staged cultural activity.

Is Dashain Tika a Public Holiday in Nepal?

Yes.

Vijaya Dashami is included in Nepal’s national holiday calendar for 2083 BS.

The government has published the annual public holiday schedule for the fiscal year, including the Dashain holiday period.

However, “public holiday” does not mean every service completely stops.

Essential services continue, while many shops, offices, restaurants and other businesses may close or operate on limited schedules during the festival.

Travelers should check individual businesses before relying on normal opening hours.

Dashain 2026 Travel Tips

If you are traveling to Nepal around Dashain, plan ahead.

Book domestic flights early

Many Nepalis travel home during Dashain.

Domestic flights can become heavily booked around the main travel period.

Expect crowded roads

Long-distance bus routes from Kathmandu and other major cities can become extremely busy before the festival.

Do not assume every shop will be open

Dashain is one of the biggest family holidays in Nepal.

Some businesses close for several days.

Keep extra travel time

Traffic can be unpredictable, particularly around Kathmandu and major highways.

Consider staying longer

If your trip falls around October 21, staying for several days can allow you to experience more of the festival rather than rushing through Nepal during the busiest travel period.

Dashain Tika 2026 for Nepalis Living Abroad

For the Nepali diaspora, Dashain Tika can require more planning.

A family may be spread across Nepal, India, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Japan, the Middle East and other countries.

The official Nepal saait can therefore fall at an inconvenient hour in another time zone.

This is one reason families abroad may arrange their own tika gatherings according to local circumstances and available elders.

Some families also connect through video calls when relatives cannot physically attend.

The important thing is not simply synchronising a clock.

It is maintaining the family tradition.

Dashain Tika 2026 Quick Answer

When is Dashain Tika 2026?

Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

What is the Nepali date?

Kartik 4, 2083 BS.

What time is Dashain Tika 2026?

The currently reported auspicious saait is 11:53 AM Nepal Standard Time.

What is Dashain Tika?

It is the Vijaya Dashami ceremony in which elders give younger family members tika, jamara, blessings and often dakshina.

When is Ghatasthapana 2026?

October 11, 2026.

When is Phulpati 2026?

October 17, 2026.

When is Maha Ashtami 2026?

October 18, 2026.

When is Maha Navami 2026?

October 20, 2026.

When is Kojagrat Purnima 2026?

October 25, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dashain Tika 2026

What date is Dashain Tika in 2026?

Dashain Tika, or Vijaya Dashami, falls on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, corresponding to Kartik 4, 2083 BS.

What time is Dashain Tika 2026 in Nepal?

The currently reported auspicious tika saait is 11:53 AM Nepal Standard Time on October 21, 2026. Current 2083 BS calendar sources attribute this timing to the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti.

Is 11:53 AM the only time to receive Dashain Tika?

No. The saait identifies the most auspicious time. Families may continue the tika ceremony throughout Vijaya Dashami and on subsequent days according to their family traditions and circumstances.

When does Dashain 2026 start?

Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana on October 11, 2026.

When is Phulpati in 2026?

Phulpati is on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

When are Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami?

Maha Ashtami falls on October 18, while Maha Navami falls on October 20, 2026.

When does Dashain end in 2026?

The 15-day Dashain period concludes with Kojagrat Purnima on October 25, 2026.

Why is Dashain Tika on October 21 in 2026?

Dashain dates are determined through the traditional lunisolar calendar rather than a fixed Gregorian date. The 2083 BS calendar places Vijaya Dashami on Kartik 4, which corresponds to October 21, 2026.

What do you put on your forehead during Dashain Tika?

Traditional Dashain tika commonly contains red vermilion or abir, rice and yogurt. Families may have their own preparation and customs.

Why do Nepalis wear jamara during Dashain?

Jamara is barley grown from seeds planted on Ghatasthapana. The young shoots are used during Vijaya Dashami as part of the tika and blessing ceremony.

Can foreigners receive Dashain Tika?

Yes, if a Nepali family or host invites you to participate, you can respectfully receive tika and jamara. Follow the family’s instructions and remember that the ceremony has religious and personal significance.

Dashain Tika 2026: A Day About Returning Home

There is a reason the roads become so busy before Dashain.

People are going home.

A son working in Kathmandu travels back to his village.

A daughter living abroad books a flight.

Grandchildren return to their grandparents.

Friends who have not met for months find time to sit together.

Then, on October 21, the ceremony begins.

An elder places red tika on a forehead, adds jamara and gives a blessing.

The ritual takes only a few moments.

But for many Nepalis, it carries years of memories.

That is what makes Dashain Tika different from simply marking another date on the calendar.

It is a moment when family, tradition and home come together.

For 2026, that moment falls on Wednesday, October 21, with the currently reported auspicious tika saait at 11:53 AM Nepal time.

As October approaches, travelers and Nepalis living abroad should check the latest announcement from the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Samiti for any final adjustment to the exact auspicious timing.