Firstly, India is the land of vast cultural and religious diversity. Travelling through India is an action providing immense enjoyment. India is also a place where one can experience major distinctions.
The three occasions which we find in India as nationwide holidays are Republic Day on 26 January, Independence Day on 15 August and Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October. Different occasions vary every year as the dates are after the calendars of antique connection and also as per traditional Indian calendars.
States have local festivals depending on religious and linguistics groups and also as per the traditional calendars. Some popular festivals are Sikh festival which includes Guru Nanak Jayanti and Vaishaki, Hindu festivals are Makar Sankranti, Janmashthami, Saraswati Puja, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Holi,etc., some Islamic festivals are Eid ul-Fitr, Muharram and Christian festivals like Christmas, Good Friday are recognized throughout India.
Some of these festivals are celebrated in particular areas where these religions have a powerful and a sizeable amount of following. Each year holidays are deeply observed by state and local governments; however there could be changes in the dates of observance or holidays may be added or subtracted according to local flavors and situations.
| Buddhist Calendar | Sikh Calendar | Hindu Calendar |
| Muslim Calendar | Christian Calendar | Jewish Calendar |
| Bahai Calendar | Rastafari Calendar | Zoroastrian Calendar |
| Pagan Calendar | Jain Calendar | Shinto Calendar |
In India public Holidays are chosen by the decisions made by the Central Government of India. Apart from the necessary festivals, each working individual can have two more occasions from the reviewed list of restricted holidays in India.
| Date | Holidays | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 26th Jan, Thursday | Republic Day | After India gained freedom on the 15th Aug, the process of drafting a constitution was started. The constitution was drafted and It was passed on 26th Nov in Constituent Assembly. It was approved on the 26th of Jan 1950 declaring India to be a democratic government system, and that is when the country became a republic in the true sense of the term. From this memorable day India started having its own constitution. |
| 13th Mar, Monday | Holi | Holi is the colorful festival celebrated all over India. It is celebrated on the Phalgun Purnima or in the bright moon period. The colorful festival brings played with gulal or abir and flowers brings sweetness to relationships. It is also known as festival of colors. Traditionally was played in Vrindavan between Lord Krishna and the Gopis. The festival of color signifies the victory of good over evil and also declares the advent of spring, end of winter and a festive day to meet others. |
| 5th April, Wednesday | Ram Navami | This is the day which marks the birth anniversary of the fabled and just king Lord Rama after whom Ramayana is written. |
| 9th April, Monday | Mahavir Jayanti | This auspicious day marks the birth anniversary of Mahavir, the last of the Tirthankars of the Jain religion. |
| 14th Apr, Friday | Good Friday | This is one of the most important festivals for the Christian communities spread all over India. All the Christians attend churches or pray on this auspicious day of Good Friday. Some people also abstain from eating meat on this day. It is a day of sadness, in which churches are not lit up and are kept dark. A special drink is made with some leaves, vinegar and other ingredients and is given to everyone after the special service being held on the Good Friday. |
| 10th May, Wednesday | Buddha Purnima | This is the date widely acknowledged as the day when Lord Buddha appeared on the earth in Lumbini. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world pay their homage on this day to Bodh Gaya. |
| 25th June Sunday | Eid ul Fitr | This is a gay and happy festival for the Muslims. People wear new outfits and spend time with their family and friends. This is considered to be one of the best days to give alms and make donations. |
| 15th August, Tuesday | Independence Day | This is the memorable day that India gained freedom from the oppressive British rule. It is a day when people in India remember the sacrifice of the freedom fighters who had laid down their lives for attaining freedom for our country. The period leading up to the Independence Day and the day itself is a time when all the governments offices are decorated with lights and the tricolor flag is proudly strung in homes and offices. The National flag is hoisted in offices and institutions. Parades are held all over the country. |
| 25th August, Friday | Janmashthami | This auspicious day is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is celebrated with great love and devotion in India in the month of August. According to Hindu traditional calendar, this is celebrated on Ashthami in the month of Bhadra. Sri Krishna is considered to be the most powerful human incarnation of the Lord Vishnu. |
| 2nd Sepetember, Saturday | Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | This is an important festival of the Muslims, honoring the Prophet Ibrahim. The prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his own child to fulfill the commands of the almighty. |
| 30th September, Saturday | Dussehra | The other name of Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami , which is a Hindu festival. The last day of the pujas signifies the victory of Maa Durga over the beast Mahishasura. Maa Durga fought with demon for ten days and nine nights. Most of the Hindus observe the festival with family and friends gatherings and special food. Dussehra is also celebrated to immortalize of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, signifying the victory of goodness over evil. |
| 1st October, Sunday | Muharram | This is the first auspicious day of the first month of the Hijri calendar which is the traditional and revered calendar of the Muslims. |
| 2nd October, Monday | Gandhi Jayanti | It is a national holiday in India which is celebrated on this day. This day is celebrated in the honor of the birthday of the Father of the nation. All the organizations throughout the country remains closed on this day. Some special events are also organized. |
| 18th October, Wednesday | Diwali | This auspicious occasion is also known as the Festival of Light when it is said that Ram returned to Ayodhya. There is lot of festivity, gaiety and fireworks on this day, people visit each other and relatives with sweets. Pujas are held. Mahavira had attained Nirvana on this day, thus the Jains too celebrate this day. |
| 4th Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti | This is the auspicious day that the great Guru Nanak was born. The birthplace of guru Nanak becomes the centre of activity on this day. Some special arrangements are made. Sikh peoples arrive in huge numbers to pay homage on this day. Sikh people all over India pray in Gurdwaras on this day. Kirtans are arranged. |
| 2nd December, Saturday | Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad | This is the auspicious birth anniversary of the prophet Muhammad, and this one of the most momentous days for the Muslims. |
| 25th December, Monday | Merry Christmas | It is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians have faith in the Son of God. This day, is generally celebrated by the Christians. This day is also a public holiday in different parts of the world. Some new customs of holiday includes gift giving to others, Advent bouquet, Christmas music, and caroling, lighting a Christmas tree, exchanging of cards, church duties and a special type of food is also made during this occasion. This is the time when family and friends came together and recall the good things that they have spend. Children also enjoy in this occasion as they receive many gifts from their relatives, elders or parents. |
Let us now have a look at some of the Holidays about to be celebrated in India in the year 2017. These are apart from the main Holidays and festivals celebrated.
| Date | Restricted Holidays | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st. Sunday | New Year’s Day | The beginning of Gregorian calendar, and an enjoyable day spent with family and friends. Establishments mostly remain closed. |
| January 14th Saturday | Makar Sankranti | It is a Hindu festival which is celebrated mainly in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. It is also an extremely important harvest festival that falls on the month of Magh. This is when people traditionally reject all the old things and concentrate and welcome new things. |
| January 14th Saturday | Pongal | Pongal is the Tamil festival spread over 4 days and marks Sun’s six monthly journey. It is considered to be an important day |
| 5th January, Thursday | Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday | This auspicious and memorable day is the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, who was the 10th Guru of the Sikhs. |
| 23rd Jan, Monday | Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti | This day is celebrated with a lot of respect and solemnity and great admiration across India especially in the states of west Bengal and Orissa. This day marks the birth anniversary of the great patriot Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Competitions and many other programs are organized by the schools on this day. Processions are held in cities and towns in which children take part and dressed up as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. |
| February 10th, Friday | Guru Ravidas’ Birthday | “On this day the Sikh’s celebrate the birthday of their Sikh Guru Ravidas.” |
| 21st February, Tuesday | Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti | One of the most prolific religious leaders and preachers called Dayanad Saraswati was born on this day. He was the founder of Arya Samaj. Dayanand Saraswati believed in non-idol worship and preached that message amongst his vast number of followers. |
| 24th February, Friday | Maha Shivratri | Maha Shivaratri is an extremely popular religious observation amongst Hindu Indian women. The married women fast for the well being of their husbands and the unmarried fast for getting a good husband. |
| March 12th Sunday | Holika Dahan | The celebration of Holika Dahan takes place a day earlier than Holi and is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. The witch Holika was killed on this auspicious day by Prahlad, who was an avid follower of Lord Vishnu. |
| March 27th Sunday | Easter Sunday | An extremely important occasion celebrated by the Christian community spread all over India. According to the New Testament Jesus Christ after being crucified and put to grave resurrected from his grave on the third day. This is known as Easter. |
| 4th April, Tuesday | Ram Navami | This is the day which marks the birth anniversary of the fabled and just king Lord Rama after whom Ramayana is written. |
| 28th March, Tuesday | Chaitra Sukladi / Gudi Padava / Ugadi / Cheti Chand | Celebrated in the traditional month of Chaitra, the Sindhis celebrate their traditional new Year as the Cheti Chand. The Hindus celebrate this auspicious day as Chaitra Sukladi. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh people celebrate their traditional new Year on this day which is known by the names of Ugadi. In Maharashtra people also on this day celebrate their traditional new Year’s Day, the occasion of which is known as Gudi Padwa. This day is in general considered to be extremely auspicious as according to the Puranas, Lord Brahma had created the Universe on this very day. |
| April 13th Thursday | Vaisakhi/Vishu | Vaisakhi is the traditional New Year’s day celebrated in Punjab and Haryana following a harvest. On the same day Kerala also celebrated their traditional new Year’s day with certain unique rituals as the vision of Vishukani etc. |
| April 14th Friday | Mesadi | Mesadi is a festival which is mostly observed in the southern parts of India. This is related to having a good harvest and praying or thanking the almighty for it. The devotees pray for a good harvest. |
| April 15th Saturday | Pahela (Poela) Baisakh (Bengal)/ Bahag or Bohaag Bihu (Assam) | The Bengalis celebrate their traditional new Year on this day. The entire business establishment holds special pujas. The Assamese people too celebrate their traditional harvest festival and New Year on this day known as Bohag Bihu. The Baisakh month is considered to be an auspicious month for starting new ventures. |
| April 21st Friday | Hazarat Ali’s Birthday | Hazarat Ali is a pioneer figure amongst the Muslim community and was the cousin and also the son in law of the great prophet Hujarat Muhammad. He also served as the commander post Muhammad’s death. This day commemorates his birthday. |
| 9th May, Tuesday | Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti | It is an annually cultural festival, universal among the Bengalis around the world. Every year some programs are or events are held in school in which children performs such as poetries, dances and dramas written by Rabindranath Tagore. |
| June 25th Sunday | Rath Yatra | This celebration is mostly celebrated in Puri, Orissa and it celebrates the yearly visit of Lord Jaggannatha to the nearby Gundicha Temple. This is also called the Chariot Festival. |
| 30th Jul | Tulsidas Jayanti | It is celebrated every year in the honor of Goswami Tulsidas. It is held on the seventh day after the Shravan month. Tulsidas Jayanti was a great worshipper of Lord Rama and represented his devotion by expressing the Bhakti towards of Lord Ram in his compositions. |
| August 17th Thursday | Parsi New Year’s day | This day is the grand and elaborate traditional Parsi New Years day and is also known as Nowruz. It is a day of happiness. |
| August 18th Friday | Raksha Bandhan | This is a beautiful bonding festival celebrated by the Hindus between that of a brother and a sister. The festival came into being from the Lord of Death Yama and his sister. It is believed that by tying a sacred thread in the wrist of the brother the sister saves him from all evils and the brother too promises to protect and cherish the sister. |
| 25th August, Friday | Vinayaka Chaturthi/Ganesh Chaturthi | This is the auspicious and prosperous occasion of the celebration of Ganesh or Ganapati Puja amongst the Hindus. Ganapati is considered to be the Lord of prosperity and success. Thus he is worshipped in all the households on this day, particularly in the state of Maharashtra. |
| 2nd Sepetember, Saturday | Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | This is an important festival of the Muslims, honoring the Prophet Ibrahim. The prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his own child to fulfill the commands of the almighty. |
| September 14th | Onam | Onam is basically a harvesting festival celebrated in Kerala. It is believed that King Mahavali comes back from the other world to see how his beloved subjects are doing. Thus everyone lights a lamp on this day to commemorate King Mahavali’s arrival with fanfare. |
| 30th Sep | Dussehra | The other name of Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami, which is a Hindu festival. The last day of the pujas signifies the victory of Maa Durga over the beast Mahishasura. Maa Durga fought with demon for ten days and nine nights. Most of the Hindus observe the festival with family and friends gatherings and special food. Dussehra is also celebrated to immortalize of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, signifying that virtue always gets established over vice. |
| 21st October Saturday | Bhaiya Dooj | This is the day when sisters express their love by putting a Tilak on the forehead of their brothers and take an aarti of him by showing him the light of the brightness as a mark of protections from bad situations. Sisters are expended with gifts and blessings from their brothers. |