Lohri (13 January) is the winter bonfire festival of Punjab and parts of North India. Families gather around the fire, offer sesame, jaggery, and peanuts, and sing traditional songs. It marks the end of the coldest days and the beginning of the harvest season.

Makar Sankranti (14 January in most years) marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and the harvest season. It is celebrated across India under different names - Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri (a day earlier) in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu - with kite flying, sesame sweets, and thanksgiving for crops.

Pongal (mid-January) is Tamil Nadu’s four-day harvest festival, aligned with the sun festival. Families cook the sweet dish ‘pongal’ in new pots, thanking the Sun, cattle, and land for prosperity. Rural areas celebrate with kolam designs, cattle decoration, and sometimes jallikattu. It is a key public holiday in Tamil Nadu and for Tamil communities elsewhere.

Magh Bihu (January), also called Bhogali Bihu, celebrates the end of the harvest season in Assam. Community feasts (uruka), bonfires, and traditional games are organized. Assam treats it as a holiday.

Manipur State Day (21 January) commemorates Manipur achieving full statehood in 1972. Cultural programmes, sports and official ceremonies are organized in Imphal and other towns.

Tripura State Day (21 January) celebrates Tripura’s statehood in 1972. The day features cultural events, tribal dances, and government functions.

Republic Day (26 January) celebrates the day the Constitution of India came into force in 1950, turning India into a sovereign, democratic republic. The main parade in New Delhi shows the strength of the armed forces, cultural tableaux from every state, and bravery awards to civilians. Schools, government offices, and housing societies hoist the tricolour and sing patriotic songs.

Maha Shivaratri (date varies) is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees fast, visit temples through the night, and offer bilva leaves, milk, and water to the Shiva linga. Cities with famous Shiva shrines - Varanasi, Ujjain, Srisailam - see big crowds. Some states declare it a holiday; others list it as a restricted holiday.

Mizoram State Day (20 February) marks the day Mizoram became a full-fledged state in 1987. The state government organizes parades and cultural dances highlighting Mizo heritage.

Arunachal Pradesh State Day (20 February) marks the day Arunachal became a union territory (later a state). Parades, folk performances, and exhibitions celebrate the rich tribal culture of the state.

Holi (March, date varies) is India’s festival of colours, welcoming spring and celebrating the victory of good over evil. People throw coloured powder and water, visit friends and relatives, and share sweets like gujiya. On the previous evening, Holika Dahan bonfires symbolically burn negativity. Holi is most vibrant in North and Central India but is loved across the country.

Eid al-Fitr (date varies) is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan. Muslims gather for special morning prayers, greet each other with “Eid Mubarak”, give charity (zakat al-fitr), and share festive meals with neighbours of all faiths. Markets are lively the night before, and many states list it as a public holiday.

Ram Navami (date varies) marks the birth of Lord Rama. Temples hold special kirtans and readings from the Ramayana, many devotees fast, and processions are taken out in some cities. In parts of North and East India it is observed as a public holiday.

Ugadi (or Yugadi) is the New Year for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana (March–April). People decorate doorways with mango leaves, prepare the symbolic ‘ugadi pachadi’ mixing sweet, sour, bitter and spicy - a reminder that the year will have all flavours of life - and visit temples. It is a state holiday in these regions.

Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year, also marked in Goa and parts of Konkan (March–April). Homes hoist a ‘gudi’ - a cloth-draped, decorated pole - at the entrance as a symbol of victory and good luck. Families cook festival dishes like puran poli and visit relatives. Maharashtra lists it as a public holiday.

Rajasthan Day (30 March) marks the unification of the princely states into Rajasthan. Jaipur and other cities hold folk performances, polo and camel shows, and events showcasing Rajasthani handicrafts, music, and dance.

Mahavir Jayanti (date varies) celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Jain temples are decorated, processions (rath yatras) are taken out, and teachings on non-violence, compassion, and aparigraha are shared. Cities with strong Jain communities - Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur - feel this day the most.

Good Friday (date varies) is a solemn Christian observance marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Churches hold long services, processions, and readings of the Passion. In states with large Christian populations - Goa, Kerala, parts of the Northeast - it is a quiet public holiday respected by all communities.

Easter Sunday (date varies) is the Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Churches hold festive services and families gather for a celebratory meal. In Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast, Easter completes the Holy Week that starts with Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

Tamil New Year (Puthandu / Varusha Pirappu, 14 April in most years) marks the first day of the Tamil calendar. Homes are cleaned and decorated, families visit temples, and auspicious items are viewed first thing in the morning. In Tamil Nadu it is an official observance and often a public holiday.

Vishu (mid-April) is Kerala’s New Year festival. The day begins with ‘vishukkani’ - seeing auspicious items like rice, fruits, flowers, and a lamp arranged before the deity. Fireworks, simple feasts, and giving ‘vishukkaineetam’ (small gifts) to children are common.

Bohag Bihu (April) is Assam’s New Year and spring festival. People wear traditional dress, visit relatives, and perform Bihu dances. It is a state holiday in Assam and a marker of Assamese cultural identity.

Buddha Purnima (Vesak, date varies) marks the birth, enlightenment, and mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha. It is especially significant at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. Monks chant, lay followers offer flowers and simple vegetarian food, and India’s Buddhist heritage is highlighted.

Maharashtra Day (1 May) marks the formation of the state of Maharashtra in 1960. Mumbai and other cities organize parades, awards, and cultural events. It coincides with Gujarat Day, since both states were created from the old Bombay State.

Gujarat Day (1 May) celebrates the creation of the state of Gujarat in 1960. Government offices hoist the flag, cultural programmes highlight Gujarati language, literature, and entrepreneurship, and cities like Ahmedabad and Surat host public events.

Sikkim State Day (16 May) marks Sikkim’s integration as the 22nd state of India in 1975. Gangtok hosts parades, awards, and cultural shows reflecting Sikkim’s Nepali, Bhutia, and Lepcha heritage.

Eid al-Adha (Bakrid, date varies) commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God. Families attend Eid prayers, meet relatives, and share food with the poor. It is a gazetted or public holiday in many Indian states, especially where the Muslim community is larger.

Telangana Formation Day (2 June) commemorates the creation of India’s youngest state in 2014. Hyderabad and other cities host parades, cultural shows, and honours for people who contributed to the Telangana movement. It is a state holiday in Telangana.

Muharram (date varies) is the Islamic month of remembrance; in India, the 10th day, Ashura, is observed especially by Shia Muslims with processions honouring Imam Husayn. Many states mark it as a public holiday, and even in mixed cities it is kept as a day of respect and mourning.

Ratha Yatra (July, date varies) is Odisha’s world-famous chariot festival at Puri, where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out in gigantic wooden chariots. It draws pilgrims from all over India and abroad. Odisha declares a holiday, and other states with Jagannath temples may also observe it.

Raksha Bandhan (date varies, often August) is the festival of siblings. Sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists, and brothers give gifts and promise support. It reinforces family bonds across north, west, and central India; even where it’s not a full public holiday, offices often allow flexible hours.

Independence Day (15 August) marks India’s freedom from British rule in 1947. The Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort and addresses the nation. Streets, homes, and shops display the tricolour, children fly kites, and many cities organize cultural programmes celebrating India’s diversity.

Milad-un-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, date varies) commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. In India it is marked with prayers, recitations, and processions, especially in Muslim-majority neighbourhoods. Dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting.

Nuakhai (late August / early September) is western Odisha’s harvest-thanksgiving festival. Families first offer the new rice (nua) to their deities and then share it at home. Cities like Sambalpur and Bargarh treat it as a main cultural day, and many Odia associations in other states also celebrate it.

Janmashtami (date varies) celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Temples hold midnight prayers, devotional songs (bhajans) are sung, and scenes from Krishna’s life are enacted. In Maharashtra and parts of Western India, the Dahi Handi tradition sees human pyramids formed to break a pot of curd hung high above the street.

Onam (Aug–Sep) is Kerala’s grand harvest and homecoming festival. Families make floral carpets (pookalam), wear traditional dress, and eat the elaborate Onam sadya on banana leaves. Boat races, Pulikali (tiger dance), and cultural shows bring communities together. Kerala treats several Onam days as holidays.

Vishwakarma Puja (September) is observed in eastern and industrial regions to honour Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect. Factories, workshops, and printing presses decorate their machines and hold a brief puja. In some states it is a holiday; elsewhere it is an important workplace observance.

Durga Puja (Sep–Oct) is the biggest festival of West Bengal and widely celebrated in the east and northeast. Artistic pandals house idols of Goddess Durga, cultural programmes run late into the night, and families go pandal-hopping in new clothes. In Kolkata, several days are declared holidays.

Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) honours Mahatma Gandhi, leader of India’s nonviolent freedom struggle. It is observed as a day of simplicity, prayer, and service. People visit Raj Ghat in Delhi, schools teach about ahimsa and truth, and many communities run cleanliness drives in the spirit of Swachh Bharat. The UN also observes 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Lakshmi Puja (Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, after Durga Puja) is celebrated in West Bengal, Assam, and parts of Odisha. Families worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, light lamps, and prepare traditional sweets. In some places it is an official holiday, in others a widely kept home festival.

Dussehra (Vijayadashami, date varies) celebrates the victory of good over evil - Lord Rama over Ravana, and the goddess over Mahishasura. In North India, large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath are burnt with fireworks. In Mysuru it has a royal character, and in eastern India it marks the conclusion of Durga Puja. It is one of India’s most visible autumn festivals.

Chhath Puja (dates vary, usually 4–6 days after Diwali) is a major festival in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and among migrant communities in Delhi, Mumbai, and abroad. Devotees fast, keep strict purity, and offer arghya to the setting and rising sun standing in water. Many cities now treat it like a public holiday because of its large following.

Kerala Piravi (1 November) celebrates the formation of the state of Kerala in 1956. Schools and cultural organisations hold events, people wear traditional attire, and media recall Kerala’s history, language, and literature. It is a state-level observance in Kerala.

Karnataka Rajyotsava (1 November) marks the formation of the state of Karnataka in 1956. Government buildings and streets are decorated with the red-and-yellow Kannada flag, cultural awards are given, and cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi hold performances. It is a public holiday in Karnataka.

Andhra Pradesh Formation Day (date has changed in different years, traditionally 1 November) celebrates the creation of the Telugu-speaking state. Government offices hold flag hoisting and cultural programmes about the state’s history, language, and leaders.

Haryana Day (1 November) commemorates the formation of Haryana in 1966. Government offices hold parades, sports, and cultural events highlighting Haryanvi language, farming, and folk music.

Punjab Day (1 November) is observed to remember the reorganization of Punjab in 1966. Cultural events, patriotic songs, and official functions mark the day in Chandigarh and across the state.

Diwali (Deepavali, Oct–Nov, date varies) is India’s Festival of Lights. Homes are cleaned and decorated, oil lamps (diyas) are lit, families perform Lakshmi Puja for prosperity, and sweets and gifts are exchanged. Streets and markets glow at night, and many businesses close accounts around Diwali. In social importance (in North India) it is comparable to Christmas.

Uttarakhand Day (9 November) celebrates the creation of the hill state in 2000. Dehradun and other towns hold parades and cultural programmes about Garhwali and Kumaoni traditions.

Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab, date varies) marks the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism. Gurdwaras are illuminated, processions (nagar kirtans) carry the Guru Granth Sahib, and langars (community kitchens) serve free food to all, regardless of faith. It is especially prominent in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and northern India.

Nagaland State Day (1 December) celebrates Nagaland’s statehood in 1963. Traditional Naga dances, songs, and official functions are held across the state.

Goa Liberation Day (19 December) commemorates the end of Portuguese colonial rule in 1961. Goa organizes parades, cultural events, and tributes to freedom fighters. It is an important date in Goa’s modern history.

Christmas Day (25 December) is celebrated by Christian communities across India and has become a popular urban festival too. Churches hold Midnight Mass, families exchange gifts and Christmas cakes, and cities like Goa, Mumbai, and Shillong decorate streets and markets. Schools and most offices are closed.