Public holidays in India

India, being a culturally diverse and fervent society, celebrates various holidays and festivals. There are four national holidays in India: Republic Day on 26 January, International Workers' Day on 1 May, Independence Day on 15 August and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on 2 October.[1][2]

States have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. Popular religious festivals include the Sikh festivals like Guru Nanak Jayanti and Vaisakhi; Hindu festivals of Makar Sankranti, Maha Shivratri, Janmashtami, Saraswati Puja, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, Durga Puja, Dussehra; Islamic festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Milad un-Nabi, Muharram Buddhist festivals like Buddha Jayanti and Losar and Christian festivals of Christmas and days of observances such as Good Friday are observed throughout India.

National holidays

Soldiers of the Madras Regiment during the annual Republic Day Parade in 2004

National holidays are observed in all states and union territories.

India has four national days.

They are:

Date English name Commemorates
26 January Republic Day Adoption of the Constitution of India[3] (1950)
01 May Labours Day International Workers' Day
15 August Independence Day Independence from British Empire (1947)
2 October Gandhi Jayanthi Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary

Hindu holidays

People celebrating Holi in Delhi.

Hindus celebrate a number of festivals all through the year. Hindu festivals have one or more of religious, mythological and seasonal significance. The observance of the festival, the symbolisms used and attached, and the style and intensity of celebration varies from region to region within the country. A list of the more popular festivals is given below:-

For dates see:

Holiday Observed in
Bhogi/Lohri Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra (as Bhogi), Punjab (as Lohri)
Makar Sankranti/Maghi/Magh Bihu Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam (as Magh Bihu), Gujarat (as Uttarayan), Karnataka, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, West Bengal (as Makar Sankranti), Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (as Maghi), Rajasthan (as Makar Sankranti).
Vishu Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Vasant Panchami (Aka, Saraswati Puja) Orissa, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
Ratha Saptami Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
Maha Shivaratri Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
Holi (Aka, Dol) all states and territories except Kerala, Nagaland, Mizoram, Goa, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
Gudi Padwa/Ugadi/Puthandu Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu
Ram Navami Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
Hanuman Jayanti Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (as Bada Mangal), Andhra pradesh and Telangana.
Akshaya Tritiya/Maharishi Parashurama Jayanti Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh
Rath Jatra Orissa, Gujarat
Nag Panchami or Guga-Navami all states and territories except Goa
Raksha Bandhan (Aka, Rákhi Púrńimá) Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana, Orissa, Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana.
Krishna Janmashtami Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal
Ganesh Chaturthi Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Orissa, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh
Onam/Thiruvonam Kerala, Pondicherry
Raja Parba Orissa
Mahalaya Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa
Dussehra/Durga Puja all states
holiday for 2 days in Andhra Pradesh, mainly in Telangana (after Bathukamma), Bihar, Kerala, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh
holiday for 3 days in Orissa, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura
holiday for 6 days in West Bengal
11th day Bhashani Utchhav in Orissa
Kumara Purnima (a.k.a. Kojaagari Pornima) Maharashtra (as Kojaagari Pornima), Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal.
Diwali (Aka, Káli Puja, Deepavali and Diipávali) all states and territories except Kerala
observed for 2 days in Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Orissa,
observed for 5 days in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh
observed for 6 days in Maharashtra
Vasu Baras (a.k.a. Govatsa Dwadashi) Maharashtra
Dhan Teras (a.k.a. Dhan Trayodashi) Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh
Naraka Chaturdashi all states
Lakshmi Puja Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Tripura
Goverdhan Pooja all states
Bhai Duj (Aka, Bhau-beej, Yama Dwitiya, Bhai Phota) Maharashtra, Goa, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar.
Devotthan Ekadashi Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and some parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Hartalika Teej Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
Jagaddhatri Puja West Bengal
Vishwakarma Puja Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal.
Nuakhai Orissa
Chhath Puja Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
Bathukamma Telangana
Bonalu Telangana

Sikh holidays

A number of Sikh holidays are Gurpurbs, anniversaries of a guru's birth or death; marked by the holding of a festival.

Holiday Observed in
Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji Punjab
Vaisakhi Andaman & Nicobar, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
Guru Nanak Gurpurab Andaman & Nicobar, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand

Islamic holidays

Mawlid or Eid-e-Milād-un-Nabī being celebrated in a town in Uttar Pradesh.
Holiday Observed in
Day of Ashura
10th Muharram. Death of Imam Hussain ibn Ali 		All States & Territories.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi
Prophet Mohammad's Birthday 		All States & Territories.
Birthday of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Terah Rajab
Hazrat Ali		 Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Shab-e-Barat
Mid-Sha'ban		 Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Jumat-ul-Wida
Alvida
Last Friday in Ramadan 		Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid/Ramazan Id
End of Ramadan 		all states and territories
Eid e Ghadeer
Eid/Eid e Ghadeer
18th of Dhu al-Hijjah 		Telangana[4]
Eid al-Adha
Bakr-Id
Feast of the Sacrifice 		all states and territories

Christian holidays

Shops selling Christmas decorations in Kolkata.
Date Holiday Observed in
1 Jan (2016)

An Act of Thanksgiving, for the Blessings of the Past Year Prayer for a Blessing on the New Year

 New Year Day All States and territories
20 March (2016)

Holy Day of Obligation

 Palm Sunday All States and territories
13 April (2017) Maundy Thursday All states and territories
14 April (2017) Good Friday All states and territories
16 April (2017) Easter Sunday All states and territories
15 May (2016) Feast of Pentecost All states and territories
3 July Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle Kerala
5 September

A "mother to the poor"

 Fest of St. Theresa of Calcutta All states and territories
8 September Feast of the Blessed Virgin All states and territories
1 November

Dedicated to All Saints

 All Saints Day All states and territories
2 November

Dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven

 All Souls Day All states and territories
3 December Feast of St. Francis Xavier Goa
25 December Christmas Day All states and territories
26 December Boxing Day Telangana[5]
30 December Feast of Holy Family All states and territories

Buddhist holidays

Holiday Observed in
Losar Sikkim, Ladakh
Buddha Purnima Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
Ambedkar Jayanti Specially in Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hariyana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

Jain holiday

Holiday Observed in
Mahavir Jayanti Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,
Paryushan Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,

Parsee (Zoroastrian) holidays

Note: The Parsis in India use a Shahenshahi calendar, unlike the Iranians who use a Kadmi calendar. The North American and European Parsis have adapted their own version of the Fasli calendar. This is however looked down upon by a lot of the Parsis in North America, who continue to use the Shahenshai calendar. These differences cause changes in the dates of the holidays. For example, the Zoroastrian New Year falls in the spring for the Iranians but in the summer for the Parsis.

Holiday Observed in
Nowruz
(Parsee New Year) 		Gujarat, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Punjab

Ravidassia holidays

Holiday Observed in
Guru Ravidass Jayanti Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh.

Ayyavazhi holidays

The Masi Procession to Swamithope Pathi during Ayya Vaikunda Avatar
Holiday Observed in
Ayya Vaikunda Avataram Tamil Nadu[6]

Secular holidays

In addition to the official holidays, many religious, ethnic, and other traditional holidays populate the calendar, as well as observances proclaimed by officials and lighter celebrations. These are rarely observed by Central government and businesses

Date Holiday Observed in
1 January New Year's Day Most of India
14 January Pongal Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu (Official Holiday in all States)
23 January Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Jayanti Orissa, Tripura, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam
19 February Chatrapati Shivaji's Jayanti Maharashtra
15 March Kanshi Ram's Jayanti Uttar Pradesh
22 March Bihar Day Bihar
30 March Rajasthan Day Rajasthan
1 April Utkala Dibasa
(Odisha day) 		Orissa
14 April Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Jayanti Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal
2nd Day of Chaitra, March–April Cheti Chand
(Sindhi New Year) 		Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
15 April Bihu
(Assamese New Year) 		Assam
15 April Maha Vishuva Sankranti / Pana Sankranti
(Oriya New Year) 		Orissa
14/15 April Pohela Boishakh
(Bengali New Year) 		Tripura, West Bengal
1st Day of Chithirai, March–April Vishu / Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu
(Malayali & Tamil New Year) 		Kerala, Tamil Nadu
1 May Labour Day (not a Gazetted holiday)[7][8] Telangana, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal, Orissa, Rajasthan,
1 May Maharashtra Day Maharashtra
1 May Gujarat Day Gujarat
9 May Rabindra Jayanti West Bengal
16 May Annexation Day Sikkim
2 June Telangana Formation Day Telangana
15 June Maharana Pratap Jayanti Rajasthan
Purnima of Ashvin Month Valmiki Jayanti Karnataka
26 October Accession Day Jammu and Kashmir
31 October Sardar Patel Jayanti Gujarat
1 November Karnataka Rajyotsava Karnataka
1 November Andhra Pradesh Foundation Day Andhra Pradesh
1 November Haryana Foundation Day Haryana
1 November Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day Madhya Pradesh
1 November Kerala Foundation Day Kerala
1 November Chhattisgarh Foundation Day Chhattisgarh
3rd Day Of Kartika (month) Krishna Paksha (November) Kanaka Jayanti Karnataka
7 December Armed Forces Flag Day Indian military

Issues with the large number of holidays

While having so many Government Holidays kept in line with the idea of peaceful co-existence of all religions, there have been demands from various public bodies that the system of a multitude of religious holidays is hampering economic activities to a great extent. The past two Central Govt. Pay Commissions [1] have recommended the abolition of all Central Govt. Holidays on religious festivals, and instead, substitute with three national Holidays, i.e., Independence Day (15 August), Republic Day (26 January) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).

It was also recommended to increase the amount of existing Restricted Holidays (Optional Holidays) depending on one's religious persuasion from existing two to eight. The rationale being, 8 holidays can more than cater for the festivals of any particular religion. So there is no point in having more than these many number of holidays, since religion does not warrant a Hindu to celebrate Eid or a Muslim to celebrate Diwali.

With the proposed system, however, it was left to the individual to choose which 8 Holidays to celebrate, irrespective of his religious belief. However, this recommendation has not been accepted by the Govt. of India, fearing a loss of popularity, and thus Indian Govt. continues with an unusually large number of religious holidays as compared to most other countries.

Holidays in government offices

Central & State governments in India annually issue list of holidays to be observed in respective government offices during the respective year.[9] List is divided into two parts:

Apart from this local administration at district level also issue list of additional holidays known as local holidays, which are observed at district level.

Central government

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) on behalf of Government of India issues a list of holidays to be observed in central government offices during the respective year. The list is divided in two parts i.e. Annexure I & Annexure II.[9]

Annexure I

Annexure I also known as Gazetted holidays, consists of list of holidays which are mandatory once decided.[9] This list consists of two parts:

Para 2

It consists of holidays which have to be observed compulsorily across India.[9] These holidays are:

  1. Republic Day,
  2. Independence Day,
  3. Gandhi Jayanti
  4. Mahavir Jayanti
  5. Budha Purnima
  6. Christmas Day
  7. Dussehra
  8. Diwali (Deepavali)
  9. Good Friday
  10. Guru Nanak's Birthday
  11. Eid ul-Fitr
  12. Eid al-Adha (Bakrid)
  13. Muharram
  14. Prophet Mohammad's Birthday (Id-e-Milad)
Para 3.1

In addition to the above 14 Compulsory holidays mentioned in para 2, three holidays are decided from the list indicated below by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the State Capitals (if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places in the State). The final list is applicable uniformly to all Central Government offices within the concerned State shall. they are notified after seeking prior approval of this Ministry and no change can be carried out thereafter. No change is permissible in regard to festivals and dates.[9]

  1. An additional day for Dussehra
  2. Holi
  3. Janamashtami (Vaishanvi)
  4. Ram Navami
  5. Maha Shivratri
  6. Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayak Chaturthi
  7. Makar Sankrantili
  8. Onam
  9. Sri Panchami / Basanta Panchami
  10. Vishu / Vaisakhi / Vaisakhadi / Bhag Bihu / Mashadi Ugadi / Chaitra Sakladi / Cheti Chand / Gudhi Pada 1st Navratra / Nauraj

Annexure II

Annexure II also known as Restricted holidays, consists of list of holidays which are optional. Each employee is allowed to avail any two holidays to be chosen out of the list of Restricted Holidays. The Coordination Committees at the State Capitals draw up separate list of Restricted Holidays keeping in view the occasions of local importance but the 9 occasions left over, after choosing the 3 variable holidays in para 3.1, are to be included in the list of restricted holidays.[9]

Central government organisations

Central Government Organisations which include industrial, commercial and trading establishments observe up to 16 holidays in a year including three national holidays viz. Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, as compulsory holidays. The remaining holidays / occasions may be determined by such establishments / organisations themselves, subject to para 3.2.[9]

Union territory administrations

Union Territory Administrations decide the list of holidays in terms of Ministry of Home Affairs letter No.14046/27 /83- GP-I dated 15 February 1984 by which they observe a total of 16 holidays including the three National Holidays viz. Republic Day, Independence Day & Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.[9]

Indian missions abroad

In respect of Indian Missions abroad, the number of holidays are notified in accordance with the instructions contained in Department of Personnel and Training's O.M. No.12/5/2002-JCA dated 17 December 2002. In other words, they have the option to select 11(Eleven) holidays of their own only after including in the list, three National Holidays and Diwali, Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad, Mahavir Jayanti, Idu'l Fitr, Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Guru Nanak's Birthday, Christmas Day included in the list of compulsory holidays and falling on days of weekly off.[9]

Banks

In respect of Banks, the holidays are restricted to 15 days in a year in terms of the instructions issued by the Department of Economic Affairs (BankingDivision).[9]

  1. Bank's Holiday
  2. Gandhi Jayanti
  3. Mahavir Jayanti
  4. Maharaja Agresen Jayanti
  5. Kashiram Death Anniversary
  6. Dussehra (Maha Navami)
  7. Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
  8. Dusshera (Maha Navaratri, Durgotsava, Durga Ashtami, Durga Ashtami)
  9. Deepawali
  10. Deepawali (Govardhan Puja)
  11. Bhai Duj/Chitragupt Jayanti
  12. Eid al-Adha (Bakrid)
  13. Guru Nanak's birthday/Kartik Poornima
  14. Dr. B R. Ambedkar's Nirwan Diwas
  15. Moharram
  16. Christmas

Restricted holidays

  1. New Year's Day
  2. International Women's day
  3. Gudhi Padwa
  4. Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab
  5. Makar Sankaranti
  6. Basanta Panchami
  7. Guru Ravidas Jayanti
  8. Chehalum
  9. Holi
  10. Istar Saturday
  11. Istar Monday
  12. Baishakhi
  13. Janmashtami
  14. Vishwakarma Pooja
  15. Eid ul fitr
  16. Ganesh Chaturthi
  17. Anant chaturdasi
  18. Dussehra (Maha Ashtami)
  19. Maharshi Balmiki Jayanti
  20. Deepawali (Narak Chaturdasi)
  21. Eid ul Adha (Bakrid)
  22. Guru Teg Bahadur Shahid Diwas
  23. Moharram
  24. Christmas

See also

References

  1. ↑ National holidays
  2. ↑ National and Public holidays
  3. ↑ "Introduction to Constitution of India". Ministry of Law and Justice of India. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  4. ↑ http://www.telanganateachers.in/general-holiday-on-6-10-2014-bakra-eid-bakri-eid/
  5. ↑ Dec.26 declared public holiday
  6. ↑ Thousands take part in Ayya Vaikundar Avatar day - The Hindu, India's National Daily, 04-03-2012, ' " The government had also declared a restricted holiday on Saturday, for the first time, in the State in view of Ayya Vaikundar Avatar day. " '
  7. ↑ http://india.gov.in/calendar
  8. ↑ http://goir.ap.gov.in/CalenderYear.aspx
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Holidays to be observed in central government offices during 2017 Note a new version of this document is released each year, and old versions may not be available beyond one or two years previous.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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