Public holidays in India 2021-2025

Non-movable holidays

Non-statutory holidays are written in gray.

Moving Holidays in India

Movable holidays with (so far and for us) uncalculatable dates:

Probably the most important secular holiday in the Indian calendar is the national holiday - the day of the republic on January 26. The occasion is the entry into force of the constitution in 1950, and on this date the capital celebrates with a big parade. The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2 is also celebrated nationwide.

In addition, there are numerous Hindu holidays, but none of them is also anchored nationwide as a public holiday. Nevertheless, they are mostly celebrated nationwide and in most regions of India these are also days off from work. Due to the Hindu and therefore polytheistic belief of the majority of the population, there are numerous peculiarities and different holidays in the respective religious forms.

First and foremost in its importance is the festival of lights Diwali. The light triumphs as good over the darkness - the evil. With this extremely rough description, the similarities almost end. The characteristics and interpretations are different in the whole country. In many regions of the south, the victory of Krishna over Naraka is at stake, while most northern inhabitants tend to associate the day with the exile of the god Rama.

Among Indian Muslims, the festival of sacrifice (al-Adha) and the end of Lent (al-Fitre) are the most prominent. For the few Christians in the country, Easter and Christmas are also celebrated. In addition, there are some less common holidays from the most diverse religions in the diverse India.