Festivals
Kota Dussehra Mela 2026 last date: the fair closes on Thursday 5 November
Written by Kota Rajasthan Editorial Team · Updated
The 133rd Rashtriya Dussehra Mela at Dussehra Maidan, Kota, closes on Thursday 5 November 2026 with a fireworks display. That is the date in the programme Kota Nagar Nigam released on 1 October, and every later report has kept it. No closing time had been published as of 30 October 2026.
If you have not been yet, the last week is the busiest of the fair for stage events. Here is what is still to come, date by date, with the changes reported since the original programme.
The final week, 30 October to 5 November
| Date | What is on | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 30 Oct | Laser show (7:00 pm); girls’ Bal Pratibha talent programme (8:30 pm) | Laser show dates are reported differently, see below |
| Sat 31 Oct | Laser show (7:00 pm, per the official list); Bhojpuri Night with Golu Raja and Neha Singh (8:30 pm) | |
| Sun 1 Nov | Motivational talk by Sonu Sharma (5:30 pm); dadhi-moonch (beard and moustache) competition (8:00 pm); local talent and karaoke (9:00 pm) | Some reports also place a laser show on this night |
| Mon 2 Nov | Kushti dangal opens, formal start 4:00 pm at Shri Ram Rangmanch; boys’ Bal Pratibha (8:30 pm); stand-up comedy night | Latest report: dangal runs 2 to 4 November |
| Tue 3 Nov | Drone show (7:00 pm); Gatka demonstration (7:30 pm); Punjabi Night with Jassi Gill and Babbal Rai (8:30 pm) | Busiest night of the week |
| Wed 4 Nov | Kushti dangal finals and prize distribution; Paridhan Utsav costume festival (7:00 pm); Cine Sandhya “Taron Bhari Raat” with Mika Singh (8:30 pm) | Star night |
| Thu 5 Nov | Closing (samapan) with fireworks | Time not published |
The Ramlila has been staged nightly at Shri Ram Rangmanch since 11 October; the Rajyabhishek (coronation) of Lord Ram followed the Bharat Milap procession on 21 October.
What changed since the original programme
- Kushti dangal. The 1 October programme gave two days, 1 and 2 November, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Pratahkal reported on 28 October that the dangal will run for three days, 2 to 4 November, opening formally at 4:00 pm on 2 November with Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham as chief guest, and closing on 4 November with prizes presented by Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa and minister Jhabar Singh Kharra. Winners receive a gada (mace). kotasports.com has the full dangal guide.
- Laser shows. The official list put them on 29, 30 and 31 October at 7:00 pm. Reports on 19 and 21 October described them as running from 30 October to 1 November. Check the board at the ground on the night.
- Named artists. All the headline performers have been announced; see the Kota Dussehra Mela 2026 celebrity list.
Practical tips for the last days
- Parking: Kota Nagar Nigam runs eight parking sites around the ground, with charges reported as Rs 5 for a bicycle, Rs 20 for a two-wheeler and Rs 50 for a car for the first four hours. kotaguide.com lists them in its visitor guide.
- Entry: use the new Nal-Neel and Neelkanth gates opposite Kishorepura police station if the old entrances are crowded.
- Weather: early November evenings in Kota turn cool; carry a light layer. See Kota weather during the mela.
- Shopping: traders often cut prices in the last days, but check quality before you pay; kotamarket.com explains how to shop the mela.
For the full table of all 26 days, see the programme list. For the essentials, see the event page. Dates and times on this page follow Kota Nagar Nigam’s programme and reports in the regional press up to 28 October 2026; if a notice at the ground disagrees, trust the notice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date of Kota Dussehra Mela 2026?
Thursday 5 November 2026. The 133rd Rashtriya Dussehra Mela opened on 11 October and closes on 5 November with fireworks at Dussehra Maidan, according to Kota Nagar Nigam's programme.
What time does Kota Dussehra Mela close on the last day?
No closing time had been published as of 30 October 2026. The closing ceremony and fireworks are expected in the evening; stalls and rides often stay open late on the final nights.
Do the stalls and rides stay after the mela ends?
The official programme ends on 5 November. Stall and ride operators sometimes stay a few extra days in some years, but that is not part of the announced programme, so do not plan around it.
What are the best days to visit in the last week?
For the big shows, 3 November (drone show and Punjabi Night with Jassi Gill and Babbal Rai) and 4 November (Mika Singh's Cine Sandhya). For a calmer visit with shopping and rides, go in the early evening on a weekday such as 2 November.
Sources
Editorial team
The KotaRajasthan.net team writes about the places, history and festivals of Kota and Hadoti, and corrects pages when readers point out changes.