| Date |
Holiday |
Brief Description |
| January 1 |
New Years’ Day |
New Years’ Day |
| January 15 |
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 eastern region when millions of pilgrims take a holy dip in the Ganges |
| 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 |
| January 26 |
Basant Panchmi |
Basant Panchmi |
| February 2+ |
Id-Ul-Zuha+ |
Observed by Muslims to commemorate the prophet Ibrahim’s offer to sactifice his son |
| February 18 |
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 |
| March 2+ |
Muharram+ |
Commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the Grandson of the prophet Muhammad, Tazis, symbolic of the martyr’s tomb at Karbala, are carried in mourning processions. Muharram, as observed in Lucknow, is famours |
| March 7 |
Holi |
The most boisterous festival of India, observed all over the country. Men, women and children throw coloured water and power on one another, Greetings and sweets are exchanged among friends and relatives |
| March 21 |
Guddi Padwa |
Ugadi |
| March 30 |
Ram Navami |
Birthday of Lord Rama is celebrated all over India. This epic Ramayana is recited in temples and homes |
| April 3 |
Mahavir Jayanti |
Celebrated by Jains to mark the birth of Lord Mahavira |
| April 9 |
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 |
| April 14 |
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti |
Tamil New Year |
| April 14 |
Poila Boishakh |
Poila Boishakh |
| May 2+ |
Id-E-Milad |
(Birthday of Prophet Muhammed)+ |
| May 4 |
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 India’s Independence, won on this day in 1947 |
| August 28 |
Onam |
Onam |
| August 29 |
Raksha Bandhan |
A festival celebrated by Brothers & Sisters all over India. Sisters tie ‘Rakhi’ on their Brothers wrist & pray for their well being & in return Brothers promise to help & take full care of their Sisters when any need arises |
| September 7 |
Janamashthami |
The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India especially at Mathura and Vrindaban |
| September 27 |
Ganpathi Visarjan |
The holy immmersion of Lord Ganesh in the sea |
| October 2 |
Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday |
The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, is celebrated with reverence all over the country |
| October 22 |
Durga Puja |
Festivities, Celebrations, Fasting of 10 days for Godess Durga |
| October 23 |
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 |
| October 28 |
Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday |
|
| November 12 |
Diwali |
The brightest Indian festival when every city, town and village is turned into afairy land with millions of electric lights, candles and lamps illuminating homes and public buildings, A special feature of festival is the fowship of Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity |
| November 13 |
Gujarati New Year |
|
| November 15+ |
Id-Ul-Fitr+ |
Celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion for feasting and rejoicing |
November 26
|
Guru Nanak’s 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 |
