Religious holidays of India

India has a myriad of religious holidays and festivals that can both delight and frustrate travellers. Although they reflect the country's diverse cultures, they can also affect the availability of goods and services.

Most Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain holidays follow a common lunisolar calendar, often called the Vikram Samvat. Holidays tied to the calendar occur on different days every Gregorian year, but within a certain Gregorian month range.

There's also an equivalent solar calendar used for religious celebrations like Makar Sankranti, which occurs on the same day every Gregorian year. Some states have their own solar calendars that follow a similar pattern.

Muslim celebrations follows the lunar calendar, so Muslim holidays also occur on different days every Gregorian year. However, unlike the lunisolar calendar, there's no certainity on which Gregorian month range they come.

Christian holidays follow the Gregorian calendar, colloquially called the Western calendar or the English calendar in India. This means they fall on the same day or the same day of week every year.

•      Indicates a gazetted central holiday; government offices and many private businesses will be closed
•      Indicates a restricted central holiday; some private businesses may be closed

The Vikram Samvat (विक्रमसंवत् Vikramasaṁvat) consists of 12 lunar months with a leap month. Each month consists of two pakshas (fortnights): Krishṇa (waning) and Shukla (waxing). Each paksha consists of 14-15 tithis. The Krishṇa paksha ends with the Amāvasyā tithi (new moon), and the Shukla paksha ends with the Pūrṇimā tithi (full moon).

A tithi is the time it takes or the longitudinal angle between the Moon and the Sun to increase by 12°. Although a tithi may roughly correspond to a 24-hour day, the actual duration can be somewhere between 19 and 26 hours due to the Moon's non-uniform motion. A tithi in place at sunrise is considered the tithi of that day, even though it may end before the next sunrise.

There are two traditions to date the same day in the Hindu calendar:

• Pūrṇimānta — The lunar month ends at Pūrṇimā. Popular in northern and central India.
• Amānta — The lunar month ends at Amāvasyā. Popular in western and southern India.

For sake of simplicity, the following table uses the pūrṇimānta tradition. Just remember that for Krishṇa paksha, the month before the pūrṇimānta month is its corresponding amānta month. Also, the dates are given in the 'month-paksha-tithi' format.

Some names of Islamic festivals in India differ from the original Arabic names due to the country's long-term Persian influence.

Season: Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (late March or early April)

Day: Chaitra Shukla Navamī (late March or early April)

Rama Navami (रामनवमी Rāmanavamī) commemorates the birth of Rama, the legendary king of Ayodhya and the seventh avatar of Vishnu. It is observed with devotional practices such as fasting, prayer, singing, recitations from the Ramayana, temple visits, processions, and music or dramatic performances. Charitable events and community meals are also organised.

The Ram Mandir of Ayodhya, built in 2024, sees the highest footfall during Rama Navami. Many take a holy dip in the Ghaghara River, called 'Sarayu' in Ayodhya, and then visit the temple.

Season: Bhādrapada Shukla Chaturthī–Chaturdashī (August–September)

Day: Bhādrapada Shukla Chaturthī (late August or early September)

Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेशचतुर्थी Gaṇeshachaturthī) or Vinayaka Chaturthi (विनायकचतुर्थी Vināyakachaturthī) is a 10-day festival that marks the arrival of Ganesha (Ganapati or Vinayaka) to meet his brother Kartikeya (Murugan). It is the most important festival in Maharashtra, Goa and Southern India, where it is celebrated publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stages) as well as privately in homes. Observances include reciting Vedic hymns and fasting. People offer sweets like modak to Ganesha, as it is considered to be his favourite.

The festival ends on the tenth day (Ananta Chaturdashi), when the Ganesha idols are transported to nearby water bodies for immersion. In Maharashtra and Goa, people chant "Ganpati Bappa Morya" (Marathi: गणपती बाप्पा मोरया Gaṇpatī Bāppā Moryā) during the procession.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a restricted central holiday.

Season: Āshvina Shukla Pratipada–Navamī (September–October)

Sharada Navaratri (शारदनवरात्रि Shāradanavarātri) is a nine-day autumnal festival that honours goddess Shakti in her nine forms. However, the festivities extend beyond Shakti, as deities like Ganesha, Kartikeya (Murugan), Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Shiva are also revered.

Durga Puja (दुर्गापूजा Durgāpūjā), one the most elaborate forms of Sharada Navaratri, is the most important festival in West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar. It marks the victory of goddess Durga in the battle against the buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival is celebrated publicly on thousands of pandals (temporary stages) as well as privately in homes.

Day: Āshvina Shukla Dashamī (late September or early October)

Dussehra (दशहरा Dashaharā) celebrates the victory of Rama over Ravana in the Ramayana. Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit are created and burned on bonfires in the evening.

Dussehra is a gazetted central holiday as government offices and many private businesses are closed. The three days before Dussehra are restricted central holidays as some private businesses are closed.

Day: Āshvina Shukla Pūrṇimā (late October or early November)

Day: Kārttika Krishṇa Chaturthī (late October or early November)

Season: Kārttika Krishṇa Trayodashī–Shukla Dvitīyā (October–November)

Day: Kārttika Krishṇa Amāvasyā (late October or early November)

Diwali or Deepavali (दीपावलि Dīpāvali), fondly called the Festival of Lights, is a five-day festival widely celebrated across India and also in many other parts of the world. It offers a spectacular window into local culture for travellers: cities glow with millions of oil lamps and colourful lanterns, families gather for rituals and feasts, and streets come alive with fireworks, music and festive markets.

The first day, Dhanteras (धनत्रयोदशी Dhanatrayodashī), is considered highly auspicious for buying new items, especially metalware, jewellery or household goods. Many families perform small rituals to honour Dhanvantari, the deity associated with health and healing.

The second day, Naraka Chaturdashi (नरकचतुर्दशी Narakachaturdashī), is associated with the defeat of the demon Narakasura. In many regions, people take ritual oil baths at dawn, believed to purify the body and spirit, and light the first lamps of the season.

The third day is the main Diwali night. Families gather for Lakshmi Puja, a ritual honouring the goddess of wealth. Homes are illuminated with rows of diyas, candles, and electric lights, and intricate rangoli designs decorate doorways to welcome the goddess. The evening is filled with prayers, the exchange of sweets, and the lighting of fireworks.

The fourth day, Govardhan Puja (गोवर्धनपूजा Govardhanapūjā), commemorates Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains, and many households create small symbolic hill‑shaped offerings from food. In Western India, it marks the start of the new financial year, and business communities perform rituals to bless their ledgers and accounts. Families also exchange gifts between husbands and wives, symbolising mutual respect and partnership.

The fifth day, Bhai Dooj (भ्रातृद्वितीया Bhrātridvitīyā), celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform a small ritual to pray for their brothers’ wellbeing, and brothers give gifts in return.

Diwali (third day) is a gazetted central holiday as government offices and many private businesses are closed. The second, fourth and fifth days are restricted central holidays as some private businesses are closed.

Season: Kārttika Shukla Pratipada–Shashṭhī (October–November)

Day: Kārttika Shukla Shashṭhī (late October or early November)

Day: 15 January on common years, 14 January on leap years

Makar Sankranti (मकरसंक्रान्ति Makarasaṁkrānti), or simply Sankranti, is a mid-winter harvest festival in India. It precisely marks the Sun's transition from the zodiac of Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara). It is observed with social festivities such as colourful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas, fairs, dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. Many Hindus worship Surya, the sun god, during Makar Sankranti, as well as Vishnu and Lakshmi.

The holiday is known by different names in different languages, including Magh Bihu in Assam, Poush Sankranti in West Bengal and Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

Makar Sankranti is associated with the annual Magh Mela, where many observers go to sacred water bodies to take a holy dip. The Kumbh Mela is the more famous version of this, occurring in Haridwar, Nashik, Prayagraj and Ujjain every 12 years.

Day: Māgha Shukla Panchamī (late January or early February)

Vasant Panchami (वसन्तपञ्चमी Vasantapanchamī) or Shri Panchami (श्रीपञ्चमी Shrīpanchamī) marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. Hindus worship Sarasvati this day, the goddess of knowledge, language, music and the arts. Many families mark this day by encouraging their young children to write their first words, and study or create music together.

Vasant Panchami is also a central holiday as government offices and many private businesses are closed.

Season: Phālguna Shukla Chaturdashī–Pūrṇimā (late February or early March)

Day: Phālguna Shukla Pūrṇimā (late February or early March)

Holi, the Festival of Colours, is the two-day festival widely celebrated across India and also in many other parts of the world. It celebrates the immortal love of Radha and Krishna and the arrival of spring. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable.

The first day, Holika Dahan (होलिकादहन Holikādahana), celebrates the burning of demoness Holika by lighting a bonfire. It signifies the triumph of good over evil. According to legend, Holika was the sister of Hiranyakashipu, who acquired a boon that rendered her invulnerable to fire. She then attempted to kill her nephew, Prahlada, by placing him on her lap in a bonfire. However, she was immolated while Prahlada was saved from the fire.

The second day is the actual fun of Holi when people through coloured water and powder at each other. However, this is not a spectator sport: as a visible foreigner, you're a magnet for attention, so you'll either have to barricade yourself inside, or put on your most disposable clothes and join the fray. Alcohol and bhang (cannabis) are often involved, and crowds can get rowdy as the evening wears on.

The second day of Holi is also a central holiday as government offices and many private businesses are closed.

Day: Chaitra Shukla Trayodashī (late March or early April)

The birthday of Mahavira, the 24th and last tīrthaṅkara in Jainism. The idol of Mahavira is carried out on a chariot on this day, similar to the Ratha Yatra, and religious hymns are recited during the procession. Many devotees visit Mahavira temples to meditate and offer prayers. Lectures by monks and nuns are held in temples to preach the path of virtue as defined by Jainism.

As a traveller, you might expect local meat bans in places with noticeable Jain communities, despite being minority. So prepare for vegetarian meals during the day, including the 'pure veg' ones that also exclude onions, garlic, potatoes, etc.

Day: Kārttika Shukla Pūrṇimā (late November or early December)

Season: 1–10 Muharram

Day: 10 Muharram

A ten-day festival that commemorates the death of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala on 10 Al-Muharram 61 AH (680 CE) by the army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid I (r. 680–683). Husayn's suffering and martyrdom became a symbol of sacrifice in the struggle for right against wrong, and for justice and truth against injustice and falsehood.

The main component of mourning is the recitation of Karbala narratives intended to raise the sympathy of audience and move them to tears. Shi'a Muslims chant "Ya Hasan! Ya Husayn!" repeatedly during the procession, as the participants strike their chests to share in the pain of Husayn and benefit from his intercession on the Day of Judgement. You may also encounter some practising self-inflicted bloodshed during this period.

Day: 12 Rabi' al-Awwal

Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi or Mawlid is the birthday of prophet Muhammad. Celebrated by some Muslim sects, but not by orthodox Sunnis, who consider its celebration to be idolatry. Nonetheless, it's a central holiday.

Day: 13 Rajab

The birthday of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of prophet Muhammad.

Day: 15 Sha'ban

Shab-e-Barat (Night of Barat) has been associated with fasting, visiting mosques and charity. Muslims start their prayers after sunset and pray till early morning. After that they eat before the call for prayer. Like Eid, people wish each other "Shab-e-Barat Mubarak".

Season: 1 Ramadan–1 Shawwal

Day: 1 Shawwal

Id-ul-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr is the most important festival in Islam, celebrated at the end of Ramadan. While Ramadan is a time of fasting, Eid al-Fitr is a time of feasting, and many Muslim families will invite their friends and neighbours to their houses in the spirit of celebration.

Day: 10 Dhu al-Hijjah

Id-ul-Zuha (also called Bakrid or Eid al-Adha) is the festival during which the Hajj is performed. Only pilgrimages made during Eid al-Adha are considered to fulfill the Hajj, while pilgrimages made during other times are regarded as lesser pilgrimages or Umrah. In mosques throughout the world, lambs donated by the faithful are sacrificed to commemorate Abraham's obedience to God, and their meat is used to feed the poor.

Day: The Friday before Easter

Christian observance, especially Roman Catholic. It is part of Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter that commemorates Jesus' last days, death and resurrection; and includes Maundy Thursday, when many Catholic and other churches hold Communion-based services. Traffic congestions happen near churches on this day.

Day: A Sunday in March or April

Christian observance, commemorating Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection.

Season: 24 December–5 January

Day: 25 December

Celebrated mainly as a secular holiday by millions of Indians. Some homes are decorated with Christmas cribs and Christmas trees and hang brightly lit stars outside, symbolising the Bethlehem star. People distribute sweets and cakes to their neighbours during Christmas. Children in Christian seminaries actively participate in Christmas programmes, and many secular government schools also have a tradition of Christmas celebrations.

Goa, Kerala and North-Eastern India have large Christmas celebrations. Kolkata has some of the largest Christmas and New Year celebrations in India, especially on Park Street where the entire street gets full of crowds.