Public Holidays in India also known as Government Holidays colloquially, consist of a variety of cultural, nationalistic, and religious holidays that are legislated in India at the union or state levels.
Being a culturally diverse country, there are many festivals celebrated in various regions across the country. There are only three national holidays declared by Government of India: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October). Apart from this, certain holidays which are celebrated nationally are declared centrally by the Union Government. Additionally, various state governments and union territories designate additional holidays on local festivals or days of importance as holidays as per section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
In additional to the three fixed national holidays, Union Government of India declares additional days as holidays which are largely followed by central government offices and affiliates. In addition to designated fixed holidays, few other days are designated optional from which select number of days can be chosen according to individual convenience.
Muslims mourn the killing of Husayn Ibn Ali , prophet Muhammad's family. Also marks parting of the Red Sea by Moses, salvation of the Israelites, Noah's disembarkment from the Ark.
Hindu festival of colors to celebrate the victory of good over evil (Specifically the death of the evil Holika, aunt of Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Vishnu) and arrival of spring, celebrated on full-moon day in the month of Phalguna in the Hindu calendar[16]
Hindu festival to celebrate the wedding of Lord Shiva with Parvati, celebrated on the fourteenth day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna or Magha in the Hindu calendar[17]
Hindu harvest festival celebrated by the people of Kerala commemorating the visit of Mahabali and celebrated in Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar
Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring and celebrated on the fifth day of Magha, the eleventh month of Hindu calendar
Hindu festival celebrated by women to pray for the longevity of their husbands, observed on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartika
State holidays
In addition to the above, various state governments and union territories designate additional holidays on local festivals or days of importance as holidays as per section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.[1]
Banks have specific holidays according to the various states or union territories in addition to every second and fourth Saturdays of the month.[22] Schools, colleges and other educational institutions have specific term holidays according to the state or board.
References
^ a b"Bank holidays in India". Forbes. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^Introduction to Constitution of India (Report). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. 29 July 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
^"Independence Day of India, 15 August 2020: History, Significance, Facts and Celebration". Times of India. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Date, history, significance and all you need to know about Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary". Hindustan Times. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^ a b2023 Holiday list (PDF) (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Buddha Purnima 2023: Date, Timings, Story, Teachings and Significance". Times of India. 5 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
^"The Global Religious Landscape". Pew Research Center. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
^"Navratri". Britannica. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
^"Diwali". Britannica. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
^The Chambers Dictionary. Allied Publishers. 2002. p. 639. ISBN978-81-86062-25-8. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
^"Guru Nanak Jayanti 2019: History, significance and traditions". Hindustan Times. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
^"Id al-Adha". Oxford Islamic Studies Online. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
^(India), Gujarat (1975). Gazetteers: Junagadh. p. 13.
^Schussman, Aviva (1998). "The Legitimacy and Nature of Mawid al-Nabī: (analysis of a Fatwā)". Islamic Law and Society. 5 (2): 214–234. doi:10.1163/1568519982599535.
^"Holi". Britannica. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Maha-shivaratri". Britannica. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Ganesh Chaturthi". Britannica. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Pongal". Britannica. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Vishu". Britannica. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^ a b c d e f"Bank holiday list". HDFC Bank. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
^"Saturday bank holidays". RBI. Retrieved 1 November 2023.