Public Holidays

There are many festivals and special events in India, but only a few of these are full public holidays. The celebration of religious holidays may fall on a different date and different month as they are observed according to the Indian calendar.

1^st January	New Year
26^th January	Republic Day
12^thFebruary^*	Idu’z Zuha/Bakrid
5^thMarch^*	Muharram
18^th March	Holi
11^th April	Ramnavami
15^th April	Mahavir Jayanti
18^th April	Good Friday
16^th May	Buddha Purnima
15^th August	Independence Day
20^th August	Janamstami
2^nd October	Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday
22^nd October	Vijaya Dasmi / Dussera
12^th November	Diwali
9^th November	Guru Nanak's Birthday
14^th November^*	Eid-al-Fitr
26^th November	Guru Nanak's Birthday
25^th December	Christmas

Note: Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday are universally observed. Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The above dates are Government of India holidays, when government offices will be closed nationwide. In addition, there are numerous festivals and fairs which are also observed in some States as holidays, the dates of which change from year to year. Please consult the nearest Govt. of India Tourist Office for more Information.
^*Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking.