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India, being a culturally diverse society, celebrates many holidays and festivals, but there are only three national holidays: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).^[1][2]

States have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. Popular Hindu festivals of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Maha Shivratri, Onam, Janmashtami, Saraswati Puja, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali; Jain festivals are Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and Paryushan; Sikh festivals like Guru Nanak Jayanti and Vaisakhi; Muslim festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Mawlid, Muharram; Buddhist festivals like Ambedkar Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Dhammachakra Pravartan Day and Losar; Parsi Zoroastrian holidays such as Nowruz, and Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter as well as days of observances such as Good Friday are observed throughout India.

National holidays

National holidays are observed in all states and union territories.

India has three national days.

They are:

Date	English name	Commemorates
26 January	Republic Day	Adoption of the Constitution of India[3] (1950)
15 August	Independence Day	Independence from the British Empire (1947)
2 October	Gandhi Jayanti	Birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869)

Religious holidaysStates have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics. Popular Hindu festivals of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Maha Shivratri, Onam, Janmashtami, Saraswati Puja, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Holi, Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali; Jain festivals are Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and Paryushan; Sikh festivals like Guru Nanak Jayanti and Vaisakhi; Muslim festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Mawlid, Muharram; Buddhist festivals like Ambedkar Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Dhammachakra Pravartan Day and Losar; Parsi Zoroastrian holidays such as Nowruz, and Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter as well as days of observances such as Good Friday are observed throughout India.

National holidays are observed in all states and union territories.

India has three national days.

They are:

Date	English name	Commemorates
26 January	Republic Day	Adoption of the Constitution of India[3] (1950)
15 August	Independence Day	Independence from the British Empire (1947)
2 October	Gandhi Jayanti	Birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869)

Religious holidays

In India, people from various religions coexist together. People from different religions celebrate their festivals. It is not that a particular festival is celebrated by the people of only a particular religion but, people from other religions also play a great role in the celebration of the festival of other religions.^{[citation needed]}

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 vary from region to region within the country. A list of the more popular festivals is given below.

Main article: Hindu festivals

Holiday	Observed in
Bhogi/Lohri	Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra (as Bhogi), Punjab (as Lohri)
Makar Sankranti/Maghi/Magh Bihu/Pongal	Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam (as Magh Bihu), Gujarat (as Uttarayan), Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, West Bengal (as Makar Sankranti), Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (as Sangrand), Rajasthan (as Makar Sankranti), Pongal / Tamilar Thirunaal (Tamil Nadu)
Vishu	Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Vasant Panchami (Aka, Saraswati Puja)	Telangana, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
Ratha Saptami	Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
Maha Shivaratri	Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryan India has three national days. They are: In India, people from various religions coexist together. People from different religions celebrate their festivals. It is not that a particular festival is celebrated by the people of only a particular religion but, people from other religions also play a great role in the celebration of the festival of other religions.[citation needed] 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 festiva 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 vary from region to region within the country. A list of the more popular festivals is given below. Main article: Hindu festivals Holiday Observed in Bhogi/Lohri Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra (as Bhogi), Punjab (as Lohri) Makar Sankranti/Maghi/Magh Bihu/Pongal Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam (as Magh Bihu), Gujarat (as Uttarayan), Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, West Bengal (as Makar Sankranti), Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (as Sangrand), Rajasthan (as Makar Sankranti), Pongal / Tamilar Thirunaal (Tamil Nadu) Vishu Kerala, Tamil Nadu Vasant Panchami (Aka, Saraswati Puja) Telangana, Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maha 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 Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana 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 All over India Christian holidays Shops selling Christmas decorations in Kolkata. Holiday Observed in Palm Sunday All states and territories Maundy Thursday Meghalaya, Mizoram, kerala and Goa Good Friday All states and territories Easter Sunday All states and territories Feast of Pentecost All states and territories Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle Kerala Fest of St. Theresa of Calcutta West Bengal Feast of the Blessed Virgin Goa and Parts of Karnataka All Saints Day Karnataka All Souls Day Mizoram Feast of St. Francis Xavier Goa Christmas Day All states and territories Boxing Day Telangana[6] Feast of Holy Family Meghalaya Buddhist holidays Holiday Observed in Buddha Purnima Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Punjab Dhammachakra Pravartan Day Maharashtra Losar Sikkim, Ladakh Jain holidays Holiday Observed in Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Paryushan Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Parsee (Zoroastrian) holidays The Parsis in India use a Shahenshahi calendar, unlike the Iranian Zoroastrians who use a Kadmi calendar. The North American and European Parsis have adapted their own version of the Fasli calendar. This is, however, is looked down upon by many of the Parsis, who continue to use the Shahenshai calendar.[citation needed] These differences cause changes in the dates of the holidays. For example, the Zoroastrian New Year, Nowruz, 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[7] Traditional 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.[citation needed] Date Holiday Observed in 1 January New Year's Day Most of India 13–17 January Pongal Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu 14 January Uttarayan Gujarat 23 January Netaji Subhas The Parsis in India use a Shahenshahi calendar, unlike the Iranian Zoroastrians who use a Kadmi calendar. The North American and European Parsis have adapted their own version of the Fasli calendar. This is, however, is looked down upon by many of the Parsis, who continue to use the Shahenshai calendar.[citation needed] These differences cause changes in the dates of the holidays. For example, the Zoroastrian New Year, Nowruz, 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[7] Traditional 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] Date Holiday Observed in 1 January New Year's Day Most of India 13–17 January Pongal Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu 14 January Uttarayan Gujarat 23 January Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Jayanti Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam 30 January Mahatma Gandhi's Death Anniversary August or September Onam Kerala, Pondicherry 19 February Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti Maharashtra 20 February Arunachal Pradesh (statehood day) 1st Day of Chithirai, March/April Vishu / Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu (Malayali and Tamil New Year) Kerala, Tamil Nadu 2nd Day of Chaitra, March/April Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year) Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh 15 March Kanshi Ram's Jayanti Uttar Pradesh 22 March Bihar Day Bihar 30 March Rajasthan Day Rajasthan 1 April Utkala Dibasa (Odisha day) Odisha 14 April Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Jayanti Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal 14/15 April Puthandu (Tamil New Year) Tamil Nadu 14/15 April Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) Tripura, West Bengal 30 January Mahatma Gandhi's Death Anniversary Date Holiday Observed in 1 January New Year's Day Most of India 13–17 January Pongal Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu 14 January Uttarayan Gujarat 23 January Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Jayanti Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam 30 January Mahatma Gandhi's Death Anniversary August or September Onam Kerala, Pondicherry 19 February Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti Maharashtra 20 February Arunachal Pradesh (statehood day) 1st Day of Chithirai, March/April Vishu / Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu (Malayali and Tamil New Year) Kerala, Tamil Nadu 2nd Day of Chaitra, March/April Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year) Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh 15 March Kanshi Ram's Jayanti Uttar Pradesh 22 March Bihar Day Bihar 30 March Rajasthan Day Rajasthan 1 April Utkala Dibasa (Odisha day) Odisha 14 April Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Jayanti Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal 14/15 April Puthandu (Tamil New Year) Tamil Nadu 14/15 April Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) August or September Onam Kerala, Pondicherry 19 February Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti Maharashtra 20 February Arunachal Pradesh (statehood day) 1st Day of Chithirai, March/April Vishu / Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu (Malayali and Tamil New Year) Kerala, Tamil Nadu < (statehood day) 1st Day of Chithirai, March/April Vishu / Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu (Malayali and Tamil New Year) Kerala, Tamil Nadu 2nd Day of Chaitra, March/April [10] The list is divided into two parts: Gazetted holidays (Annexure I) Restricted holidays (Annexure II) In addition, local administrations also issue a list of holidays, known as local holidays, which are observed at the district level. Central government The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) on behalf of the Government of India issues a list of holidays to be observed in central government offices during the year. The list is divided in two parts i.e. Annexure I & Annexure Annexure I Annexure I, also known as Gazetted holidays, consists of a list of holidays that are mandatory once decided.[10] This list consists of two parts: Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3.1 Paragraph 2 It consists of holidays that are observed compulsorily across India.[10] These holidays are: Republic Day Independence Day Gandhi Jayanti Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Buddha Purnima Christmas Day Dussehra Diwali (Deepavali) Good Friday Guru Nanak's Birthday Eid ul-Fitr Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) Muharram Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Id-e-Milad) so all the holidays are there Paragraph 3.1 In addition to the 14 compulsory holidays mentioned in paragraph 2, three holidays are chosen from the list below by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the respective state capitals (if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places in the State). The final list is applied uniformly across all Central Government offices within each state. They are notified after seeking the prior approval of the ministry, and no changes can be made thereafter. No change is permissible in regard to festivals and dates.[10] An additional day for Dasahara Holi Janamashtami (Vaishanvi) Ram Navami Maha Shivratri Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayak Chaturthi Makar Sankrantili Onam Sri Panchami/Basanta Panchami 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 a list of holidays which are optional. Each employee is allowed to choose any two holidays from the list of Restricted Holidays. The Coordination Committees at the State Capitals draw up a separate list of Restricted Holidays, keeping in mind the occasions of local importance, but the nine occasions left over, after choosing the three variable holidays in paragraph 3.1, are included in the list of restricted holidays.[10] Central government organisations Central Government Organisations, which include industrial, commercial and trading establishments, observe up to 16 holidays per 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 paragraph 3.2.[10] Union territory administrations Union territory administrations decide the list of holidays based on 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 and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.[10] Indian missions abroad In respect of Indian missions abroad, the number of holidays is determined in accordance with the instructions contained in the Department of Personnel and Training's O.M. No.12/5/2002-JCA dated 17 December 2002. They have the option to select 11 (eleven) holidays of their own only after including the three National Holidays and Diwali, Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Idu'l Fitr, Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Guru Nanak's Birthday, Christmas Day as compulsory holidays falling on weekdays.[10] Banks Main article: Bank holidays in India In respect to banks, the holidays are restricted to 15 days per year in terms of the instructions issued by the Department of Economic Affairs (Banking Division).[10] Bank Holiday Gandhi Jayanti Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Maharaja Agresen Jayanti Kashiram Death Anniversary Dussehra (Maha Navami) Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) Dusshera (Maha Navaratri, Durgotsava, Durga Ashtami, Durga Ashtami) Deepawali Deepawali (Govardhan Puja) Bhai Duj/Chitragupt Jayanti Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) Guru Nanak's birthday/Kartik Poornima Dr. B R. Ambedkar's Nirwan Diwas Moharram Christmas New Year's Day International Women's Day Gudhi Padwa Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab Makar Sankaranti Basanta Panchami Guru Ravidas Jayanti Chehalum Holi Easter Saturday Easter Monday Baishakhi Central governmentThe Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) on behalf of the Government of India issues a list of holidays to be observed in central government offices during the year. The list is divided in two parts i.e. Annexure I & Annexure Annexure I Annexure I, also know Annexure I, also known as Gazetted holidays, consists of a list of holidays that are mandatory once decided.[10] This list consists of two parts: Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3.1 Paragraph 2 In addition to the 14 compulsory holidays me In addition to the 14 compulsory holidays mentioned in paragraph 2, three holidays are chosen from the list below by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the respective state capitals (if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places in the State). The final list is applied uniformly across all Central Government offices within each state. They are notified after seeking the prior approval of the ministry, and no changes can be made thereafter. No change is permissible in regard to festivals and dates.[10] An additional day for Dasahara Holi Janamashtami (Vaishanvi) Ram Navami Maha Shivratri Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayak Chaturthi Makar Sankrantili Onam Sri Panchami/Basanta Panchami Vishu/Vaisakhi/Vaisakhadi/Bhag Bihu/Mashadi Ugadi/Chaitra Sakladi/ Annexure II also known as Restricted holidays, consists of a list of holidays which are optional. Each employee is allowed to choose any two holidays from the list of Restricted Holidays. The Coordination Committees at the State Capitals draw up a separate list of Restricted Holidays, keeping in mind the occasions of local importance, but the nine occasions left over, after choosing the three variable holidays in paragraph 3.1, are included in the list of restricted holidays.[10] Central government organisations Central Government Organisations, which include industrial, commercial and trading establishments, observe up to 16 holidays per 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 su Central Government Organisations, which include industrial, commercial and trading establishments, observe up to 16 holidays per 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 paragraph 3.2.[10] Union territory administrations Union territory administrations decide the list of holidays based on 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 and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday.[10] Indian missions abroad In respect of Indian mis In respect of Indian missions abroad, the number of holidays is determined in accordance with the instructions contained in the Department of Personnel and Training's O.M. No.12/5/2002-JCA dated 17 December 2002. They have the option to select 11 (eleven) holidays of their own only after including the three National Holidays and Diwali, Milad-Un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad, Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Idu'l Fitr, Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami), Guru Nanak's Birthday, Christmas Day as compulsory holidays falling on weekdays.[10] Banks [10] Bank Holiday Gandhi Jayanti Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Maharaja Agresen Jayanti Kashiram Death Anniversary Dussehra (Maha Navami) Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) Dusshera (Maha Navaratri, Durgotsava, Durga Ashtami, Durga Ashtami) Deepawali Deepawali (Govardhan Pu Normal Exit PeriodicService.php