Holidays & Observances in India
India is a large country in South Asia. It is the second most populated country in the world and has one of the fastest growing economies. Currently, there is a very uneven distribution of wealth in India, which means that the customs practiced by the people will vary depending on wealth. India is very culturally diverse, each region slightly different from the others. There are about 20 languages that have been given official status, with Hindi being the most common. Many people speak English as well, as it is often needed for business. India is also very religiously diverse. Most people practice Hindu or Islam, but people from every major religion reside in India and celebrate proudly. Religious festivals of all kinds are celebrated at all times of the year. Recently India has been greatly affected by western culture, picking up traditional holiday celebrations such as New Year’s Day from countries in the west.
The Government of India classifies holidays in three categories:
Gazetted Holidays - These are the holidays that are mandatory Public Holidays. There are 3 gazetted holidays that are national public holidays where all business must remain closed throughout the nation: Republic Day; Independence Day; and Gandhi Jayanti. Other gazetted holidays, schools, banks and government offices are closed and other businesses may choose to close.
Restricted Holidays - Optional Holidays which means they are optional and employees have the option to have the day off. In India, with so much culture and religions and observances, there are a plethora of holidays and most businesses give a certain number of days off and the employees can choose which days they want to observe.
State and Union territory holidays - Local to a region, state or territory
Upcoming Popular Holidays
Country Observances
Holiday Date | Country Holiday | Observance Type | Religion/Belief |
---|---|---|---|
Laylat Al-Qadr | Religious/Beliefs | Islam / Muslim | |
Eid AL-Fitr | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Islam / Muslim | |
Baisakhi | Restricted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism, Sikhism | |
Rama Navami | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Mahavir Jayanti | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Jainism | |
Eid AL-Adha | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Islam / Muslim | |
Ashura | Religious/Beliefs | Islam / Muslim | |
Independence Day India | Public, Gazetted | ||
Raksha Bandhan | Restricted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Janmashtami | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Ganesh Chaturthi | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Gandhi Jayanti | Public, Gazetted | Hinduism | |
Dussehra | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Karva Chauth | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism, Sikhism | |
Diwali | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Chhath Puja | Restricted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Gurupurab | Public, Gazetted | Sikhism | |
Christmas Day | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Christianity | |
New Years Eve | Popular | ||
New Year's Day | Popular | ||
Pongal | Restricted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Republic Day India | Public | ||
India Republic Day | Public, Gazetted | ||
Lunar (Chinese) New Year | Religious/Beliefs, Popular | Chinese / East Asian | |
Vasant Panchami | Restricted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Valentine's Day | Popular | ||
Maha Shivaratri | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Ramadan Begins | Religious/Beliefs | Islam / Muslim | |
International Women's Day | Popular | ||
Holi (Festival of Colors) | Public, Gazetted, Religious/Beliefs | Hinduism | |
Laylat Al-Qadr | Religious/Beliefs | Islam / Muslim |