India is known for its rich culture and diverse traditions, and one of the best ways to celebrate this diversity is through holidays and observances. Whether it’s a religious festival, a national celebration, or a local event, holidays in India are a time for people to come together, celebrate, and reflect. In 2025, the country will observe a wide range of holidays, each with its own significance.
Here’s a table of the holidays and observances in India for 2025:
Date | Day | Name | Type |
1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Restricted Holiday |
2 Jan | Thursday | Last day of Hanukkah | Observance |
6 Jan | Monday | Guru Govind Singh Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
13 Jan | Monday | Lohri | Observance |
14 Jan | Tuesday | Pongal | Restricted Holiday |
14 Jan | Tuesday | Makar Sankranti | Restricted Holiday |
14 Jan | Tuesday | Hazarat Ali’s Birthday | Restricted Holiday |
26 Jan | Sunday | Republic Day | Gazetted Holiday |
29 Jan | Wednesday | Lunar New Year | Observance |
2 Feb | Sunday | Vasant Panchami | Restricted Holiday |
12 Feb | Wednesday | Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
14 Feb | Friday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
19 Feb | Wednesday | Shivaji Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
23 Feb | Sunday | Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
26 Feb | Wednesday | Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri | Gazetted Holiday |
2 Mar | Sunday | Ramadan Start (Tentative Date) | Observance |
13 Mar | Thursday | Holika Dahana | Restricted Holiday |
14 Mar | Friday | Holi | Gazetted Holiday |
14 Mar | Friday | Dolyatra | Restricted Holiday |
20 Mar | Thursday | March Equinox | Season |
28 Mar | Friday | Jamat Ul-Vida (Tentative Date) | Restricted Holiday |
30 Mar | Sunday | Chaitra Sukhladi | Restricted Holiday |
30 Mar | Sunday | Ugadi | Restricted Holiday |
30 Mar | Sunday | Gudi Padwa | Restricted Holiday |
31 Mar | Monday | Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
31 Mar | Monday | Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar (Tentative Date) | Muslim, Common Local Holiday |
6 Apr | Sunday | Rama Navami | Restricted Holiday |
10 Apr | Thursday | Mahavir Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
13 Apr | Sunday | First day of Passover | Observance |
13 Apr | Sunday | Vaisakhi | Restricted Holiday |
14 Apr | Monday | Mesadi | Restricted Holiday |
14 Apr | Monday | Ambedkar Jayanti | Observance |
15 Apr | Tuesday | Bahag Bihu/Vaisakhadi | Restricted Holiday |
17 Apr | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Observance, Christian |
18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday | Gazetted Holiday |
20 Apr | Sunday | Easter Day | Restricted Holiday |
1 May | Thursday | International Worker’s Day | Observance |
9 May | Friday | Birthday of Rabindranath | Restricted Holiday |
11 May | Sunday | Mothers’ Day | Observance |
12 May | Monday | Buddha Purnima/Vesak | Gazetted Holiday |
7 Jun | Saturday | Bakrid/Eid ul-Adha (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
15 Jun | Sunday | Fathers’ Day | Observance |
21 Jun | Saturday | June Solstice | Season |
27 Jun | Friday | Rath Yatra | Restricted Holiday |
6 Jul | Sunday | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
10 Jul | Thursday | Guru Purnima | Observance |
3 Aug | Sunday | Friendship Day | Observance |
9 Aug | Saturday | Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Restricted Holiday |
15 Aug | Friday | Independence Day | Gazetted Holiday |
15 Aug | Friday | Janmashtami (Smarta) | Restricted Holiday |
15 Aug | Friday | Parsi New Year | Restricted Holiday |
16 Aug | Saturday | Janmashtami | Gazetted Holiday |
27 Aug | Wednesday | Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi | Restricted Holiday |
5 Sep | Friday | Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad (Tentative Date) | Gazetted Holiday |
5 Sep | Friday | Onam | Restricted Holiday |
22 Sep | Monday | First Day of Sharad Navratri | Observance, Hinduism |
22 Sep | Monday | September Equinox | Season |
28 Sep | Sunday | First Day of Durga Puja Festivities | Observance, Hinduism |
29 Sep | Monday | Maha Saptami | Restricted Holiday |
30 Sep | Tuesday | Maha Ashtami | Restricted Holiday |
1 Oct | Wednesday | Maha Navami | Restricted Holiday |
2 Oct | Thursday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
2 Oct | Thursday | Dussehra | Gazetted Holiday |
7 Oct | Tuesday | Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti | Restricted Holiday |
10 Oct | Friday | Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) | Restricted Holiday |
20 Oct | Monday | Naraka Chaturdasi | Restricted Holiday |
20 Oct | Monday | Diwali/Deepavali | Gazetted Holiday |
22 Oct | Wednesday | Govardhan Puja | Restricted Holiday |
23 Oct | Thursday | Bhai Duj | Restricted Holiday |
28 Oct | Tuesday | Chhat Puja (Pratihar Sashthi/Surya Sashthi) | Restricted Holiday |
31 Oct | Friday | Halloween | Observance |
5 Nov | Wednesday | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Gazetted Holiday |
24 Nov | Monday | Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day | Restricted Holiday |
15 Dec | Monday | First Day of Hanukkah | Observance |
21 Dec | Sunday | December Solstice | Season |
22 Dec | Monday | Last day of Hanukkah | Observance |
24 Dec | Wednesday | Christmas Eve | Restricted Holiday |
25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas | Gazetted Holiday |
31 Dec | Wednesday | New Year’s Eve | Observance |
Let’s Explore the Holidays and Their Significance
1. Republic Day (26th January)
Republic Day is a national holiday in India, celebrated every year on January 26th. It marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950, making India a republic. The day is observed with great enthusiasm, including parades, flag-hoisting ceremonies, and cultural performances across the country.
2. Makar Sankranti (14th January)
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in various forms across India, marking the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. People celebrate by flying kites, having bonfires, and indulging in traditional sweets made of sesame and jaggery. It’s a harvest festival celebrated with great joy.
3. Holi (14th March)
Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, is one of India’s most popular and vibrant festivals. It signifies the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. People throw colors at each other, dance, sing, and enjoy festive foods. It is a time for reconciliation and joy.
4. Independence Day (15th August)
Independence Day marks India’s freedom from British colonial rule. On this day, the Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi, followed by a speech and celebrations throughout the country. It is a day to remember the sacrifices made for independence.
5. Diwali (20th October)
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil. People illuminate their homes with oil lamps, burst fireworks, and share sweets and gifts. It’s a time of renewal, celebration, and thanksgiving.
6. Christmas (25th December)
Christmas, observed by Christians, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. People attend church services, exchange gifts, and celebrate with family. In India, the Christmas season is marked by decorating homes, Christmas trees, and festive meals.
These are just a few of the many holidays observed in India in 2025. Each of these holidays is an important part of the cultural fabric of India and provides a unique opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their heritage, religion, and community. Whether it’s a public holiday or a religious observance, these days play an essential role in India’s vibrant calendar.