Holidays in India 2024, A Full List Is Here!

India is country with many holidays and festivals. India's holidays have two main types: gazetted holidays (mandatory holidays) and restricted holidays (up to the employee to decide whether or not to take leave).

The most important public holiday in India is Diwali (November 12, 2023), which is as important as Christmas is for Westerners.

2024 India Public Holidays Calendar

Here are all of the 17 gazetted holidays (mandatory public holidays) in India in 2023.

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7 Major Indian Public Holidays

Most Indian public holidays are religious holidays. Here are introductions to India's seven major holidays.

1. Republic Day

Indian people will have a day off for Republic Day to celebrate the establishment of the Republic of India. They hold a military parade on New Delhi's Rajpath on January 26 each year.

2. Maha Shivaratri

Lord Shiva

This Hindu festival honors the god Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism.

Its dates vary from year to year. It falls on the Hindu calendar's twelfth month, corresponding to February or March.

It is celebrated by Shiva followers all over the country, with the most spectacular celebrations in Varanasi.

People celebrate by fasting, keeping vigil, and doing pujas (Hindu rituals) at homes and temples.

3. Holi

Holi is one of the most famous traditional holidays in India. Holi's date usually falls in March (Mar 25, 2024). People have one mandatory day off for Holi, but in some areas the celebration lasts several days. Uttar Pradesh has a 9-day celebration.

Holi symbolizes the end of winter, the arrival of spring, and the triumph of good over evil. People chase and fight and splash each other with colorful powders to express good wishes.

You will feel the whole country being filled with great enthusiasm if you visit during Holi. It could be an unforgettable chance for you to play and laugh with local people.

If you are planning a trip to India and want to experience the Holi, just contact us. We will arrange some of the best activities for you to experience.

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4. Eid ul-Fitr

Eid ul-Fitr, holiday of breaking the fast, is one of the biggest Islamic holidays. Eid al-Fitr (Apr 10, 2024) is the time of the first sighting of the new moon after Ramadan.

Muslims clean their houses, bathe, change into new clothes, go to mosques to pray, and have family celebrations including giving gifts and visiting the graves of ancestors.

5. Eid ul-Adha

Muslims pilgrimage

Eid ul-Adha is another of the most important festivals for Muslim. The main tradition of Eid ul-Adha is slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat with the family, relatives and friends, and also poor people. Thus, it is called 'Feast of the Sacrifice'.

6. Dussehra

Durga Puja on Dussehra

Every September or October, there will be ten nights in a row filled with the sound of dancing and drumming. It is the celebration of the Hindu festival, Dussehra.

Dussehra originated form the Indian epic Ramayana. The festival celebrates the victory of the Hindu hero Rama in a 10-day battle over the demon Ravana.

Thousands of shows and plays of Rama's story are performed at outdoor fairs during the festival.

7. Diwali

Family celebration on Diwali holiday

Diwali is the most important and grandest holiday in India. It usually falls in late October or early November. It celebrates light driving out darkness and good conquering evil.

The celebration lasts for 5 days. People light candles, set off fireworks, and have family gatherings.

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Other Major Indian Observances and Holidays

Here is a list of major restricted holidays and observances in India. Many holidays are to commemorate leaders (Gurus) or deities and some are for the celebration of harvests. The most common way to celebrate is to pray in temples.

>>>See more on Top 37 Festivals of India in 2023

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Travel Tips for the India Holidays

fireworks in Delhi during the India Holidays

Indian festivals and holidays are always loud, intense, colorful, chaotic, and exciting. During India's public holidays, tourist attractions, hotels, and transportation are at their most crowded.

• Plan and book your trip at least 2 months in advance to avoid hotels, flights, and tourist attractions being fully booked. You can contact our travel advisors for assistance with your planning.
• Prepare yourself for massive crowds. Popular attractions are much busier than usual during the public holidays.
• Cover yourself and dress appropriately to show respect, as most holidays in India have historical or religious significance.
• Use a professional travel agency and travel advisors to help you plan an India trip during India public holidays to avoid any potential set backs.

See more on How to Plan an India Trip 2023/2024.

FAQs about Indian Holidays

1. Do businesses keep running during Indian public holidays?

During the gazetted holidays, government offices, schools, and banks are shut. On restricted holidays, government offices and most businesses remain open.

Tourist attractions, markets, restaurants, and hotels open as usual.

2. What are the best holidays for experiencing the culture of India?

Throw colored dye on each other on holi

Diwali in Jaipur, Holi, Onam in Kerala, and Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai are the four most wonderful traditional Indian festivals for you to feel an Indian holiday vibe. They have grand celebrations with fun and lively atmospheres.

3. What's the most important holiday in India?

Illuminated with diyas on Diwali

Diwali is the most important and biggest holiday in India. In 2023, it falls on November 12 and lasts for five days.

The best way to experience Diwali is to celebrate it with a local family in their home. Join in with the festivities, such as dancing and burning sparklers.

If you are interested in it, check out more on our 8-Day Diwali Festival in India Golden Triangle Tour.

Touring India with Us

We can help, whether you would like to visit India to experience traditional Indian festivals or you would prefer to avoid the holiday crowds.

All our tours can be customized. We can create a trip for your vacation according to your group size, time, budget, interests, and other requirements.

• 7-Day Golden Triangle India Tour
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