Festivals of India's Holiday

Holidays

Uttarayan

The International Kite Festival (Uttarayan) is one of the biggest festivals celebrated. Months beforehand, homes in Gujarat begin to manufacture kites special box kites for the festival. The festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, according to the Indian calendar.

Republic Day

Republic Day, in India, national holiday celebrated annually to commemorate the adoption of the constitution of India on January 26, 1950. It differs from Independence Day, which annually commemorates the end of British rule on August 15, 1947, and which stemmed from the Indian Independence Act of July 18, 1947.

Dhuleti

In Gujarat, Holi is a two-day festival. On the evening of the first day, a bonfire is lit and raw coconut and corn is offered to the fire. The second day is the festival of colour or "Dhuleti", celebrated by sprinkling coloured water and applying colours to each other.

Independence Day

Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August as a public holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947, the day when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, which transferred legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly, came into effect.

Rakshabandhan

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as a festival of peace and harmony. On this day, the sisters tie a thread or a bracelet to their brothers and the brothers, in return, promise to be their sisters' protectors for their entire life. The Rakhi, or the thread, is a pious symbol of being someone's protector.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami, Hindu festival celebrating the birth (janma) of the god Krishna on the eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September).

Dussehra

Dussehra, also called Dasara or Vijayadashami, in Hinduism, holiday marking the triumph of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama's wife, Sita. The festival's name is derived from the Sanskrit words dasha (“ten”) and hara (“defeat”).

Diwali

Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Vikaram Savant New Year/Besatu Varsh

Vikram Samvat (IAST: Vikrama Samvat; abbreviated VS) or Bikram Sambat B.S. and also known as the Vikrami calendar, is a Hindu calendar historically used in India and Nepal. Vikram Samvat is generally 57 years ahead of the Gregorian Calendar, except during January to April, when it is ahead by 56 years.

Bhai Bij

Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj is observed on the second day after Diwali celebrations. Bhai Dooj is also known as Bhau Beej, Bhai Bij, Bhai Beej, Bhatru Dwitiya, Bhav Bij, Bhatri Ditya, Bhai Phota, Bhai Fota and Bhai Tikka. This day commemorates the sacred relationship shared between a brother and sister.