India Public & National Holidays - edarabia.com (2024)

India is a culturally diverse society, this reflects in the public holidays observed in the country. Apart from national holidays in India, the population also celebrates their local religious festivals such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan, and Diwali.

The Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday are secular holidays and are observed nationally in India. Muslim festivals, on the other hand, are based on local sightings of the moon. Thus, dates may vary.

Below is a list of public holidays in India.

National Holidays in India

All states and territories of India observe national holidays. There are three national holidays in India:

The Republic Day marks the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950. Independence Day celebrates India’s independence from the British Empire in 1947. Meanwhile, Gandhi Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Religious Holidays in India

There are a number of festivals that Hindus celebrate in a year. These festivals have religious and cultural significance to Hindus.

Boghi/Lori
This holiday is a wintertime Punjabi folk festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus.

Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu Festival that pays tribute to the Sun deity, Surya. It marks the first day of sun’s transit into the Makara.

Maha Shivaratri
It is a Hindu festival that honors the god Shiva. It means “the Great Night of Shiva”.

Holi
An ancient religious festival, Holi is also known as the “festival of colors” and is usually celebrated during spring.

Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of God Rama.

Krishna Janmashtami
The holiday celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Navaratri
This festival is celebrated for nine nights and 10 days every year in autumn.

Diwali
Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrating the victory of good over evil.

Islamic Holidays in India

Day of Ashura
It marks the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.

Mawlid
This holiday marks the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting

Eid al-Adha
This Islamic holiday honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as God’s command.

Sikh Holidays in India

Guru Gobind Singh
The holiday commemorates Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.

Guru Arjan
The holiday commemorates Guru Arjan, the first of the two Gurus martyred in the Sikh faith and the fifth of the ten total Sikh Gurus

Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is a holiday both celebrated in Sikhism and Hinduism and marks the celebration of the spring harvest

Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak and is one of the most important festivals in Sikhism.

Christian Holidays in India

Palm Sunday
The feast of Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday commemorates the foot washing and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles

Good Friday
Good Friday signifies the crucifixion of Jesus.

Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Christ.

Feast of the Blessed Virgin
This holiday marks the birthday of Mary, mother of Christ.

All Saints Day
All Saints Day is a Christian holiday that honors all saints.

All Souls Day
All Souls Day honors the dead, those who have passed away.

Christmas Day
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus.

Feast of the Holy Family
The feast of the Holy Family celebrates the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph.

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