|
Date |
Holiday |
Brief Description |
|
January 1 |
New Years Day |
New Years Day |
|
January 14 |
Makar Shankranti/Pongal |
A major harvest
festival of India. It is one of the biggest
events in the state of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and
Andhra Pradesh. Bull fights and bullock races
are an important features of the celebrations.
Also celebrated in the east when
millions of pilgrims take a holy dip in the
Ganges |
| January 20 |
Basant Panchmi |
Basant Panchmi |
|
January 26 |
Republic Day |
The national
festival of India observed throughout the
country of mark the inauguration of the Republic
of India on January 26, 1950. In Delhi, the
celebrations include a magnificent parade of the
Armed Forces, Folk dances and floats from all
the different states of India |
| February 12 |
Maha Shivratri |
Hindus perform
puja of Lord Shiva by fasting on this day.
Processions to the temples are followed by the
chanting of mantras and annointing of lingams |
|
February 27+ |
Id-Ul-Zuha+ |
Observed by
Muslims to commemorate the prophet Ibrahims
offer to sactifice his son |
|
February 28 |
Holi |
The most
boisterous festival of India, observed all over
the country. Men, women and children throw
coloured water and powder on one another,
Greetings and sweets are exchanged among friends
and relatives |
| March 16 |
Guddi Padwa |
Ugadi (Hindi New Year) |
| March 24 |
Ram Navami |
Birthday of Lord Rama is celebrated all over India. This epic Ramayana is recited in temples and homes |
| March 28 |
Mahavir Jayanti |
Celebrated by Jains to mark the birth of Lord Mahavira |
| April 2 |
Good Friday |
Christians all over India celebrate this day on which Jesus laid down his life for the good of humanity |
|
April 13 |
Baishaki |
A popular festival
of Punjab, to mark the start of harvesting
season |
| May 27 |
Budh Purnima |
The full moon day
is celebrated as the day of birth, enlightenment
and Mahaparinirvana or salvation of Buddha |
|
August 15 |
Independence Day |
The anniversary of
Indias Independence, won on this day in 1947 |
| August 24 |
Raksha Bandhan |
A festival celebrated by brothers and sisters all over India. Sisters tie Rakhi on their brothers wrist and pray for their well being and in return brothers promise to help and take full care of their sisters when any need arises |
| September 2 |
Janamashthami |
The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India especially at Mathura and Vrindaban |
|
September 11 |
Ganpathi Visarjan |
The holy
immmersion of Lord Ganesh in the sea |
|
October 2 |
Mahatma Gandhis
Birthday |
The birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the
nation, is celebrated with reverence all over
the country |
|
October 17 |
Dushera |
Based on the epic
of Ramayana, the ten-day Dussehra festival
signifying the triumph of good over evil, is
celebrated all over the country. In north India,
the Ramlila is staged to commemorate the heroism
of Lord Rama. In Bengal, it is obsereved as
Durga Puja and images of the warrior goddess
Durga are immersed in lakes and rivers after
four days of worship |
|
November 5 |
Diwali |
The brightest
Indian festival when every city, town and
village is turned into a fairy land with millions
of electric lights, candles and lamps
illuminating homes and public buildings, a
special feature of festival is the worship of
Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity |
November 21
|
Guru Nanaks
Birthday
|
The birth
anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of
Sikhism, is celebrated with great devotion by
the Sikh community |
|
December 25 |
Christmas |
The birth of Jesus
Christ is celebrated in India, with the
traditional exchange of greetings and gifts |
+ Subject to
change due to position of the moon
India is a land of Festivals and days/dates may change every year
Information subject to change
|
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