India is a land of Fairs and festivals. Almost every month, some major festival is celebrated. Only some of the holidays and festivals of India have fixed date. Other festival dates change from year to year. Given below is a list of festivals in India:
Id - Ul Zuha (Bakrid)
It is a Muslim festival commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham.
Republic Day
Republic Day, on Jan 26, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950.
Muharram
Another Muslim festival, it commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the holy Prophet Mohammed.
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is celebrated to mark the birthday of a Hindu God, Shri Rama.
Mahavir Jayanthi
It is the birth anniversary of Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara.
Holi
Holi is a festival of colors welcoming the onset of summer.
Good Friday
On this day, Christians mourn over the nailing of Jesus Christ.
Buddha Purnima
This day marks the birth and enlightenment of Buddha.
Id - Ud - Fitr
This festival celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting.
Independence Day
On 15th August is the Independence Day of India.
Gandhi Jayanti
On 2nd October, India celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Dussehra
To commemorate the win of good over evil, Dussehra is celebrated in India.
Diwali
One of the major festivals in India, Diwali celebrates the return of Hindu God, Rama, to his birthplace.
Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurupurab)
This day celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
Christmas
On 25th December is celebrated Christmas, a Christian festival.
Janamashtami
Janamashtami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, a Hindu God.
Pongal
It is three-day harvest festival joyfully celebrated in South India.
Baisakhi
On this day, Guru Gobind Singh organised them into the 'Khalsa', brotherhood of man. Punjab farmers start harvesting on this day.
Easter
A Christian festival, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The only holidays to be observed throughout India are Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. In addition, there are a number of festivals and fairs that are also observed in some States as holidays.
Read on to get a list of the major festivals and important holidays in India.
Travel to India: India Travel Tips: Indian Holidays
