Date-Day

Festival

Events

01
January
Monday

Bakr-Id

The feast of Bakr-Id is an occasion to give and to sacrifice. It is a day to thank the Almighty for one's good fortune and to share it with the less fortunate brethren.

13
January
Saturday

Lohri

Lohri celebrates fertility and the spark of life. puja, involving parikrama (rotating) around the fire, symbolizes a prayer to Agni, the spark of life, for abundant crops and prosperity. Lohri is a joyous celebration, prasad of til, gazak, gur, moongphali, phuliya and popcorn, singing songs and share the warmth with family

14
January
Sunday

Makar
Sankranti

On January 14 the sun enters the rashi Capricorn. This is known as Makar Sankranti. Sankranti means the entry of the sun from one zodiac to another. Adults, children, even aged men and women, spiritedly fly kites all day. Kites dot the sky

14
January
Sunday

Magh Bihu
Bhogali Bihu
Assam

Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu (derived from the word 'Bhoga' meaning eating or enjoyment) is celebrated when the harvesting is over. On the eve of Bihu day, called "Uruka", women prepare rice cakes. The most significant part of this day is the building of 'Meji' and feasting at night. The whole night is spent in feasting, merry - making dancing and singing

14-16
January
Sun-Tue

Pongal

A three-day harvest festival and one of the most joyful events in the South. Newly harvested rice is ceremonially cooked and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed and are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music.

23
January
Tuesday

Vasant
Panchmi

It is a festival of colour, marking the change from the sombre, dark and cold winter to the pleasant and warm spring. Spring stands for regeneration, and Vasant Panchami worships life and all the happy things that come along with it.

26
January
Friday

Republic
Day

January 26 marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution in 1950 and is India's National Day. Celebrations in the State capitals are colourful. The celebrations in New Delhi, a magnificent parade of the armed forces and civilians, is followed by an impressive cultural pageant and a colourful folk-dance festival.

30
January
Tuesday

Muharram

Muharram, or the sacred month, marks the beginning of the Muslim year.

16
February
Friday

Maha
Shivaratri

Colours vie with each other in the fairs on shores and riverbeds, to which thousands of pilgrims flock. For the Smartas, the time has come for the making of holy ash, but for the rest, it is an expression of their desire to join with Shiva

03
March
Saturday
04
March
sunday

Holi

Dhuleti

The most boisterous of all Hindu festivals, observed all over the North. It heralds the end of winter. Men, women and children revel in throwing coloured powder and squirting coloured water on each other. Greetings and sweets are exchanged.

19
March
Mondday

Gudi
Padwa

The Hindu Year begins on the first day of the month of Chaitra, Shuddha Pratipada". New Year is celebrated in different states of India under various names, for e.g. Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Gudi Padava in Maharashtra. The Sindhis celebrate it as Cheti chand. The Prasad of neem leaves and jaggery is common to all the three.

19
March
Monday

Yugadi
(Ugadi)

The end of winter and beginning of spring is an eternal symbol of new life. Ugadi, while representing this, also has the sanction of both religion and science.

19
March
Monday

Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month known as Chet in Sindhi. Celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the Patron Saint of the Sindhis

27
March
Tuesday

Ram
Navmi

Lord Ramachandra incarnated on Chaitra sud 9 at 12 noon and established Dharma and the ideals of character, worth emulating by mankind. "Wherever four Hindus live, Rama and Sita will be there" so said Swami Vivekananda

31
March
Saturday

Mahavir
Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is special in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The ancient Jain shrines at Girnar and Palitana, attract a large number of Jains. The festival is also celebrated at Parasnath temple in Calcutta, the place where Mahavira is said to have got enlightenment, and at Pawapuri in Bihar. In the souuth Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, attracts pilgrims at this time

01
April
Sunday

ID-E-Milad

The prophet was born on the twelfth day of the third month of the Muslim year and his death anniversary also falls on the same date. During the twelve days of sickness of the Prophet which ended in his death, sermons are delivered in mosques. Also a ceremony "Sandal Rite" is performed over the symbolic foot-prints of the Prophet in stone

02
April
Monday

Hanuman
Jayanti

In order to destroy Ravan Vishnu took birth as Rama. At the same time Brahmadev commanded all the gods, gandharvas and rishis to take birth (avatar) to help Rama. So all the gods and goddesses and rishimunis decided to take avatar in the form of "vanaras" (monkeys). The avatar of Vayu (wind) was Hanuman, who was of all the monkeys the cleverest and the most powerful. He had the ability of flying with the speed of the eagle.

06
April
Friday

Good
Friday

After a period of rejoicing over the birth of Christ, His followers observe a time of penance and fasting. This period, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, is known as Lent. Jesus taught the need of prayer and fasting to overcome the Evil One. A day of prayer and penance, the bells of the churches remain silent.

14
April
Saturday

Baisakhi

The Hindu Solar New Year Day. People bathe in rivers and go to temples to offer puja (worship). Baisakhi is of special significance to the Sikhs. On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh organised them into the 'Khalsa', brotherhood of man. farmers start harvesting on this day with great fanfare. Villagers perform the 'Bhangra' folk-dance

14
April
Saturday

Bohag Bihu
Rangali Bihu
Assam

Dance Festival of Merriment marks the beginning of the New Year, the seeding time. Group of young boys and girls, dancing with drums beats and pipes. Womenfolk clean the clothes and prepare special Bihu delicacies. Menfolk collect necessary items like 'Tara Pogha' (ropes for the cattle)

02
May
Wednesday

Buddha
Jayanti

One of the greatest spiritual teachers of mankind which Bharat has produced is undoubtedly, Buddha. Marks the birth and enlightenment of Buddha.

29
July
Sunday

Guru
Purnima

A festival with a truly spiritual meaning and relevance, Guru Purnima celebrates the might of one's teacher or guru through respect and reverence

15
August
Tuesday

Indepen-
dence Day

August 15 marks the anniversary of Independence in 1947 and is celebrated with due solemnity. The national flag is hoisted and the occasion marked as a day of dedication

18
August
Saturday

Naga
Panchami

It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated

20
August
Monday

Pateti

It is the New Year's Day for the Parsi community. It goes back to the time of ancient Persia and how the kings of Persia celebrated their own and nature's glory and springtime. They don their traditional kustis and caps made of gold and silver brocade and visit the fire temple(agiary), to perform a thanksgiving or Jashan.

27
August
Monday

Onam

Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm, it is primarily a harvest festival. The most exciting part of the festival is the snake-boat race held at several places in the palm-fringed lagoons.

28
August
Tuesday

Raksha
Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is also commonly known known Balev. It is the day on which Brahmins change their sacred thread, while changing their sacred thread, rededicate themselves to study the vedas and persue spiritual upliftment. The day is celebrated as the day dedicated to love of sister for her brothers.

28
August
Tuesday

Nariyeli
Purnima

On the full moon day of Sravan is celebrated the Narli Purnima to appease the fury of the Sea-god Varuna. It also marks the end of monsoon, and is primarily observed by sailors, fishermen and others living in the coastal areas. They offer coconut to the sea on this occasion.

03
September
Monday

Krishna
Janmastami

The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu and the author of the Bhagavad Gita , is observed all over. It is celebrated at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Night-long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in temples. Scenes are enacted from Lord Krishna's early life

15
September
Saturday

Ganesh
Chaturthi

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati is widely worshipped as the munificent god of wisdom

Khardad
Sal

The birth anniversary of the Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), who was born at the beginning of the first millennium BC. It is one of the most important Parsee festivals

25
September
Tuesday

Anant
Chaturdashi

The 14th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad is the day of the immersion of Ganpati. The installed Murti's of Lord Ganpati are taken to a lake, river or a sea in great processions to be immersed in the waters. Thus Lord Ganesha is departed, only to be welcomed the next year with equal excitement.

2
October
Tueday

Gandhi
Jayanti

The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Special prayers are offered at the Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat, Delhi and celebrations are held all over the countr

14
Ooctober
Sunday

Id Ul
Fitter

Celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. The faithful gather in mosques to pray; friends and relatives meet to exchange greetings

Mid
Ooctober

Kati Bihu
Kangali Bihu
Assam

Celebrated at the time when paddy seedlings begin to grow. In the evenings, offerings are made to the 'Tulsi' plant. Little earthen lamps ('Diyas') are lighted at its feet and puja's are offered to God for improved yield of crops

12
October
Friday
To
20
October
Saturday

Navaratri

Navratri festival commences on the 1st day of Aso till the 9th. Devotees celebrate the victory of Lord's Shakti - power, over evil. There are several names attached to this Shakti, such as Amba, Ambica, Bhavani, Chamunda and Durga. Festival of Dance, Dandia Raas and Garba around Goddess Amba

20
October
Saturday

Dusshera

It symbolises the triumph of good over evil. In the North, 'Ram Lila' recitations and music recall the life of the legendary hero, Rama. Large fire cracker--stuffed effigies of Ravana, symbolising evil, explode to the cheers of thousands of spectators. In Karnataka, Dussehra is celebrated with magnificent pomp and pageantry.

20
October
Saturday

Durga
Puja

Durga Puja , the festival of Bengalis is the worship of 'Shakti'or the divine power. Most of the religious celebrations in the world have legends surrounding them. Images of Goddess Durga are worshipped for four days and, on the last day, taken out in a procession and immersed in a river or the sea.

25
October
Thursday

Sharad
Purnima

The Full Moon Night of the month of Aswin is known as the Sharad Purnima or Ras Purnima.This is the night when Krishna would play the Ras Leela the entire night. The Bhagvad Gita, is recited throughout the night, and the devotees observing a fast keep awake through the night. Young women may undertake the fast considering Krishna as their consort.

29
October
Monday

Karva
Chauth

Hindu married women observe a fast on Krishna Chaturthi of Kartik (October-November) for the welfare of the husband, his health and long life. The fast is a rigourousone as the wife does not ven drink water on this dya. In the evening, all married women, dressed in gorgeous wedding garments and jewellery, undertake worship. As the moon rises, they bow down at the feet of their husbands. The fast is broken only after seeing the moon.

07
november
Wednesday

Dhan
Teras

Worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion. The sentiment underlying Lakshmi pujan is that the Lakshmi-'wealth' we have acquired is ultimately the result of God's grace.

08
November
Thursday

Kali
Chaudas

This festival occurs on Aso vad 14, also known as 'Narak Chaturdashi' because Lord Krishna vanquished Narkaasur. Devotees pray and ofter pujan to Hanumanji to remove inauspiciousness and fear of evil spirits and beings. Worship of Kali Mata,

09
November
Friday

Diwali

The festival of lights is one of the most beautiful of Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra and celebrates the return of Rama to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. Countless flickering oil lamps and lights are lit in houses all over the country making it a night of enchantment.

10
November
Saturday

Hindu
New Year

'Nutan Varsh' literally means 'dawn of the New Year', also called 'Bestu Varsh'. The Hindu New Year's day, of the Vikram era is Kartik sud 1. This auspicious day represents joy and happiness during the whole year.

11
November
Sunday

Bhaibeej

The day is celebrated by all the sections of Hindu society as the day dedicated to love of sister for her brothers.

24
November
Saturday

Guru
Nanak
Jayanti

Also known as 'Gurupurab', it is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh faith. For two days and nights preceding the festival, the 'Granth Sahib' (Holy Book) is read and on the day of the festival, taken out in a grand procession.

25
December
Tuesday

Christmas

Celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike with special enthusiasm. The bigger cities like Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta wear a festive look as Christmas bazaars and festivities are organised