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Indian Holidays and Celebrations
Date(s): Full moon night or the sixteenth day of the month of Vaisakha, usually in April or May
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail (regionally)
Description: Commemorates the birthday of the Buddha. In India, the holiday is also known as Vesak, named after the Indian month of Vaishaka in which it is held.
Background: Buddha Purnima is the most holy time in the Buddhist calendar and the most important festival in Buddhism. On this day, Buddhists all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha in a single day. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is the place where Buddha received enlightenment under a Bodhi (banyan) tree.
How Celebrated: On this day, the Mahabodhi Temple is decorated with flags and flowers, and Buddhist pilgrims from around the world come to Bodh Gaya to celebrate. Sermons and lectures about the life and teachings of Gautam Buddha are held, as well as group meditations and prayers. Worshippers also participate in processions displaying the statue of Buddha. People bring offerings to statues of Buddha and decorate banyan trees.
Date(s): December 25
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail (regionally)
Description: A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Also a time for sharing traditions and gifts with family and friends.
Background: Long before the birth of Christ, Europeans celebrated the dark days of December with festivities and fire symbolizing hope for spring and the return of longer days. Although no one is sure exactly when Jesus Christ was born, the 4th-century Pope Julius I declared that December 25 would be the official date to celebrate Christmas. In this way, he introduced a Christian element to the mid-winter festivals.
How Celebrated: Christmas is a festive event in India, despite the relatively small Christian population, and it is celebrated with considerable diversity. In some parts of India, Christians decorate mango or banana trees as Christmas trees. In some areas, homes are lit up with clay lamps lining the houses’ roofs and walls. In most urban areas, Christmas celebrations are similar to those in the West, with Christmas trees and Santa Clauses, carols and parties. Churches are adorned with poinsettias and candles for the special mass. Despite the cultural differences, Christmas unites India in the spirit of joy and thanksgiving.
Date(s): End of Hindu month of Ashwayuja, usually in October or November
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail (regionally)
Description: Deepavali or Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Both Hindus and Sikhs regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. The holiday symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps signify celebration and hope for humankind.
Background: There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. The most popular version is that the holiday celebrates the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, or in honor of the day Bali went to rule the nether world, obeying the order of Vishnu.
How Celebrated: This day is celebrated throughout India on the 20th day after Dussehra. Oil lamps, or diyas, brighten up each home, and firework displays light up the sky. This festival also ushers in the start of the Hindu New Year. Hindus worship the Goddess Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god who is a symbol of wisdom. Diwali is a time for cleaning, painting, and decorating. Hindus wear new clothes and families gather to pray and share sweets. In West Bengal, the Diwali festival is celebrated as Kali Puja in which Kali, Shiva's wife, is worshiped.
Date(s): Varies with the Christian calendar on the Friday before Easter Sunday, usually in March or April
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail (regionally)
Description: A Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Since the days of the early church, Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance, and many churches hold mourning services from noon until 3 p.m. to symbolize Jesus' last hours on the cross.
Background: Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. According to the Bible, His death was meant to atone for the sins of the world and provide redemption for all believers. For many years, Good Friday had no association with Jesus' death, but was simply another day of fasting. Since the late fourth century, it has been associated with the crucifixion.
How Celebrated: Although Christians constitute less than three percent of the population, Christian festivals are public holidays in many regions of India. The Christians attend church services and participate in processions that commemorate the death of Jesus. Some churches expose a cross, symbolizing the crucifixion. Observances begin on Thursday evening prior to Good Friday, when a feast symbolizing the Last Supper is held, followed by a fast. Black garments are worn as a symbol of mourning and pictures of Jesus Christ are paraded.
Date(s): Day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, usually late February or early March
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail (regionally)
Description: A very popular Hindu spring festival, Holi marks the end of the winter gloom, as people rejoice in the bloom of springtime and welcome a fresh, new beginning.
Background: Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as Holika. Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, Holi is now a commemoration of a Hindu legend concerning an arrogant king who resents his son worshipping Lord Vishnu. The king attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king's sister Holika, who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. The prince emerges unscathed, while the aunt burns to death. This exuberant festival also is associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha.
How Celebrated: On the eve of Holi, public bonfires recall the story of Holika and her son. Holi itself is a day of revelry, a day when one sheds social taboos in the name of fun. Beware when you go out onto the street, for total strangers are likely to smear you with colored powder (gulal) or squirt colored water at you. Feasts, music, and intoxicants also are part of the celebrations, and it is common to send greeting cards. Universal brotherhood is one of the themes of Holi, as everyone looks the same after being drenched with colors.
Date(s): August 15
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail
Description: This holiday celebrates India’s independence from British rule.
Background: In the mid-18th century, the British East India Company ruled over India. In 1947, the British Indian Empire was partitioned into India and Pakistan, and on August 15 of that year India became an independent country. The flag of India was unfurled for the first time by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on the Red Fort of Delhi.
How Celebrated: Independence Day is a major celebration nationwide. Flags are raised in every region, with the main celebrations taking place in New Delhi. The Prime Minister raises the flag at the Red Fort and delivers a speech to the nation relating the country’s achievements over the past year. Kite flying has also become an Independence Day tradition, as Indians consider kites a symbol of freedom.
Date(s): 9th month of Islamic Calendar
Closings: Most restaurants
Description: Ramadan, is the most venerated month of the Islamic year, and is a time of intense spiritual renewal.
Background: The first of the revelations of the Koran, the holy book of Islam, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. According to the Koran, the fast of Ramadan was instituted so that believers may cultivate piety and self-restraint.
How Celebrated: Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown during the entire period in order think of others and understand the hunger of those less fortunate. Fasting is not limited to just food but also to any type of impure action. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, the sick, manual workers, and any others for whom fasting causes extreme suffering are excused from fasting. However, if physically able, they should feed the poor during Ramadan. After sundown, families prepare feasts to satisfy hunger. Religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month.
Date(s): January 26
Closures: Government, Banks, Offices, some Retail
Description: This holiday celebrates the day India became a sovereign state and the day the Indian Constitution came into effect.
Background: India achieved independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, but the Constitution took effect on January 26, 1950. On this day, India was declared a Sovereign Democratic Republic.
How Celebrated: Republic Day is a major event in India. Preparations begin days in advance, bringing about a week-long festive mood all over the country, with the most popular events taking place in New Delhi. The celebrations start with the President commemorating India’s martyrs, after which there is an awards ceremony for outstanding soldiers and citizens. Parades and pageants are held throughout the day, and families enjoy picnics and other outdoor activities. Celebrations often continue until the "Beating of Retreat" on January 29, which marks the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
Date(s): First day of the month of Vaisakh under the Nanakshahi solar calendar used by the Sikhs; almost always April 13, but April 14 once every 36 years
Closures: None
Description: This holiday is significant for the entire nation and has a special meaning for Sikhs and Hindus. It is a religious feast, a New Year’s celebration, and a harvest festival all in one.
Background: Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi in honor of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who founded the Sikh brotherhood (the Khalsa Panth) in 1699. He called for five volunteers willing to give their lives and took them one by one into a tent, emerging with a bloody sword. In fact, he had only killed a goat, and the five men received great honor for their courage. For some Hindus, this holiday coincides with the beginning of the Hindu year (the date of which differs across the country). For both Hindus and Sikhs, it also celebrates the harvest of the rabi crop.
How Celebrated: For Sikhs, the day begins in their place of worship, the gurdwara. They then hold processions with their holy book preceded by five men representing the "Beloved Five" of history. The parades also feature singing, dancing, and mock swordfights. In the Punjab area, the bhangra and gidda dances are always part of the festivities to celebrate the harvest. The popular, energetic bhangra can go on for hours, as new dancers replace the previous ones.
