India is a country that celebrates various holidays and festivals throughout the year, some of which are national and some are regional. In this blog, we will explore some of the major holidays in India in 2023 and their significance.



New Year's Day - January 1, 2023

New Year's Day is the first day of the Gregorian calendar and is celebrated in many parts of India. People exchange greetings and wishes with their friends and family and make resolutions for the new year. Some also celebrate the day with parties, fireworks, and music.



States that observe New Year's Day as a public holiday

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Meghalaya

- Manipur

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Puducherry

- Rajasthan

- Sikkim

- Telangana

- Tamil Nadu



Makar Sankranti - January 14, 2023

Makar Sankranti is a festival that marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara) on its celestial path. It is celebrated in different ways across India. Some of the common customs include flying kites, taking holy dips in rivers, offering prayers to the sun god, and preparing and distributing sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery.



States that observe Makar Sankranti as a public holiday

- Gujarat

- Karnataka

- Odisha

- Sikkim

- Telangana



Pongal - January 14 to 17, 2023

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil people in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Telangana. It coincides with Makar Sankranti and falls in the month of Thai (January-February) according to the Tamil calendar. The festival is dedicated to the sun god and the earth goddess and involves cooking rice in earthen pots with milk and sugar cane juice. The word pongal means "to boil over" or "to overflow" and signifies abundance and prosperity.



States that observe Pongal as a public holiday

- Tamil Nadu

- Puducherry

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Telangana



Republic Day - January 26, 2023

Republic Day is one of the most important national holidays in India. It commemorates the date when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. The main celebration takes place in New Delhi, where the President of India hoists the national flag and presides over a grand parade that showcases the cultural and military diversity of the country. The parade also features tableaux from various states and union territories, cultural performances by school children, and fly-pasts by the Indian Air Force. Republic Day is a gazetted holiday across India.



Maha Shivaratri - February 24, 2023

Maha Shivaratri is a festival that honors Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. It falls on the 13th night or 14th day of the lunar month of Phalguna (February-March) according to the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees observe fasts, offer prayers and milk to Shiva lingas (symbolic representations of Shiva), chant mantras, and stay awake all night.



States that observe Maha Shivaratri as a public holiday

- Andhra Pradesh

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Delhi

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Odisha

- Punjab

- Rajasthan

- Telangana

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh



Holi - March 9, 2023

Holi is a festival of colors that celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It falls on the full moon day of the lunar month of Phalguna (February-March) according to the Hindu calendar. The night before Holi, people light bonfires to symbolize the burning of Holika, a demoness who tried to kill Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The next day, people smear each other with colored powders and water and enjoy music and dance.



States that observe Holi as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Delhi

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Odisha

- Rajasthan

- Telangana

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh



Ram Navami - April 2, 2023

Ram Navami is a festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the hero of the epic Ramayana. It falls on the ninth day of the lunar month of Chaitra (March-April) according to the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees worship Rama and his consort Sita,

read or listen to the Ramayana, take part in processions, and chant Rama's name.



States that observe Ram Navami as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Delhi

- Gujarat

- Himachal Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Madhya Pradesh

- Odisha

- Punjab

- Rajasthan

- Telangana



Mahavir Jayanti - April 6, 2023

Mahavir Jayanti is a festival that marks the birth anniversary of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism. It falls on the 13th day of the lunar month of Chaitra (March-April) according to the Jain calendar. On this day, Jains visit temples, offer prayers and alms, listen to sermons, and meditate on Mahavira's teachings.



States that observe Mahavir Jayanti as a gazetted holiday

- Chhattisgarh

- Chandigarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Lakshadweep

- Maharashtra

- Madhya Pradesh

- Mizoram

- Punjab

- Rajasthan

- Tamil Nadu

- Uttar Pradesh

- West Bengal



Good Friday - April 7, 2023

Good Friday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday, which is the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Christians observe Good Friday by attending church services, praying, fasting, and performing acts of charity.



States that observe Good Friday as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Goa

- Gujarat

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Kerala



Eid al-Fitr - May 23, 2023

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It falls on the first day of the lunar month of Shawwal (May-June) according to the Islamic calendar. On this day, Muslims offer prayers at mosques or open grounds, exchange greetings and gifts with their friends and family, and enjoy feasts and festivities.



States that observe Eid al-Fitr as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Meghalaya

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Rajasthan

- Sikkim

- Telangana

- Tripura

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh

- West Bengal



States that observe Eid al-Fitr as a common local holiday

- Kerala

- Puducherry



Buddha Purnima - May 24, 2023

Buddha Purnima is a Buddhist holiday that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It falls on the full moon day of the lunar month of Vaisakha (April-May) according to the Buddhist calendar. On this day, Buddhists visit temples, offer prayers and flowers to Buddha statues, listen to his teachings, and practice meditation and compassion.



States that observe Buddha Purnima as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Chhattisgarh

- Chandigarh

- Delhi

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jharkhand

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Maharashtra

- Madhya Pradesh

- Mizoram

- Odisha

- Tripura

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh

- West Bengal



Independence Day - August 15, 2023

Independence Day is another major national holiday in India. It commemorates the date when India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. The main celebration takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort and delivers a speech to the nation. The speech is followed by a cultural program that showcases the diversity and unity of India. Independence Day is a gazetted holiday across India.



Eid al-Adha - August 31, 2023

Eid al-Adha is another Muslim holiday that honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God. It falls on the 10th day of the lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah (July-August) according to the Islamic calendar. On this day, Muslims offer prayers at mosques or open grounds, sacrifice animals such as sheep or goats, distribute meat to their friends and family and to the poor and needy, and celebrate with feasts and festivities.



States that observe Eid al-Adha as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Kerala

- Lakshadweep

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Meghalaya

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Puducherry



Janmashtami - September 7, 2023

Janmashtami is a festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu and a central figure in Hinduism. It falls on the eighth day of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August-September) according to the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees worship Krishna and his consort Radha,

fast until midnight (the time when Krishna was born), sing devotional songs, enact scenes from his life story (called Ras Lila), and break earthen pots filled with curd or butter (called Dahi Handi).



States that observe Janmashtami as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Delhi

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Kerala

- Lakshadweep

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Manipur

- Meghalaya

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Puducherry

- Punjab

- Rajasthan

- Sikkim

- Tamil Nadu

- Telangana

- Tripura

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh

- West Bengal



Ganesh Chaturthi - September 18, 2023

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success. It falls on the fourth day of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August-September) according to the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees install clay idols of Ganesha in their homes or public places and offer prayers and sweets to him. The festival lasts for 10 days and ends with the immersion of the idols in water bodies.



States that observe Ganesh Chaturthi as a public holiday



Jayanti - October 2, 2023

Gandhi Jayanti is another major national holiday in India. It marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement and the father of the nation. It falls on October 2 every year. On this day, people pay tribute to Gandhi by visiting his memorials, spinning khadi (hand-woven cloth), singing his favorite bhajans (devotional songs), and following his principles of non-violence and truth. Gandhi Jayanti is a gazetted holiday across India.



Dussehra - October 11, 2023

Dussehra is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It falls on the 10th day of the lunar month of Ashvina (September-October) according to the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Vijayadashami or Dasara. On this day, Hindus commemorate the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana, the king of Lanka who abducted Rama's wife Sita. They also celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, a buffalo-demon who terrorized the gods and humans. Some of the common customs include burning effigies of Ravana, watching plays based on the Ramayana, worshipping weapons and vehicles, and exchanging gifts and sweets.



States that observe Dussehra as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Meghalaya

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Puducherry



Diwali - October 26, 2023

Diwali is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. It falls on the 15th day of the lunar month of Kartika (October-November) according to the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Deepavali or the festival of lights. On this day, Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and rescuing Sita. They also worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Some of the common customs include lighting diyas (earthen lamps), decorating homes and workplaces with rangoli (colorful patterns), bursting crackers, exchanging gifts and sweets, and performing puja (ritual worship).



States that observe Diwali as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Goa

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Lakshadweep

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Manipur

- Meghalaya

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Puducherry



Guru Nanak Jayanti - November 8, 2023

Guru Nanak Jayanti is a Sikh holiday that marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder and first guru of Sikhism. It falls on the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartika (October-November) according to the Sikh calendar. On this day, Sikhs visit gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship), offer prayers and alms, listen to kirtan (devotional music), read or recite Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture), and take part in langar (community kitchen).



States that observe Guru Nanak Jayanti as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Delhi

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Punjab

- Rajasthan

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh

- West Bengal



Christmas - December 25, 2023

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It falls on December 25 every year. On this day, Christians attend church services, decorate their homes and churches with lights and stars, exchange greetings and gifts with their friends and family, and enjoy feasts and cakes.



States that observe Christmas as a gazetted holiday

- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

- Andhra Pradesh

- Arunachal Pradesh

- Assam

- Bihar

- Chandigarh

- Chhattisgarh

- Daman and Diu

- Delhi

- Dadra and Nagar Haveli

- Goa

- Gujarat

- Haryana

- Himachal Pradesh

- Jammu and Kashmir

- Jharkhand

- Karnataka

- Kerala

- Lakshadweep

- Madhya Pradesh

- Maharashtra

- Manipur

- Meghalaya

- Mizoram

- Nagaland

- Odisha

- Puducherry

- Punjab

- Rajasthan

- Sikkim

- Tamil Nadu

- Telangana

- Tripura

- Uttarakhand

- Uttar Pradesh

- West Bengal