No other country can boast of so many holidays except India. With so many regions practicing just as many faiths, India is the only country in the world that can celebrate 6-day-long holidays and get away with it.
India’s long list of public holidays that are only applicable to a few states and applicable to all states create such confusion that the government has neatly categorized the country’s holidays into two: gazetted holiday and restricted holiday. Gazetted holiday means a public holiday observed regardless of region and religion, whereas a restricted holiday is a day-off observed only to applicable sector of the public or certain states (i.e. New Year for Christians or Farmer’s Day for the state of Tamil Nadu).
The following list is India public holiday schedule 2013. All dates on the list are gazetted holidays as per circular issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Milad-Un-Nabi, Friday 25 January 2013
The Birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated by the Muslims and commemorated by reading the Qur’an.
Republic Day, Saturday 26 January 2013
This day marks the transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign state.
Holi, Wednesday 27 March 2013
This day celebrates the arrival of spring but has evolved to become a secular holiday celebrated with face-painting and dousing each other with colored water. As such, Holi is sometimes called the Festival of Colors.
Good Friday, Friday 29 March 2013
On this day, Christians commemorate the passion, crucifixion and death of their savior, Jesus Christ.
Ram Navami, Friday 19 April 2013
A major Hindu festival, Ram or Rama Navami celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama. Lord Rama (the subject of Ramayana) is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu (the preserver of the universe) and an actual historical figure who was worshipped and deified when the Sanskrit stories about him were retold around 14th century.
Mahavir Jayanti, Wednesday 24 April 2013
This day marks the birthday of Mahavira, the leading prophet of Jainism, a minor religion in India whose adherents believe in the philosophy of non-injury to living things.
Buddha Purnima, Saturday, 25 May 2013
Buddhist’s celebrate this day as Buddha’s birthday.
Id-ul-Fitr, Friday 9 August 2013
Muslims engage in a month-long fast called Ramadan. This day marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated by feasting.
Independence Day, Thursday 15 August 2013
On this day in 1950, India’s sovereignty was finally acknowledged by its British colonizers.
Janamashtami, Wednesday 28 August 2013
Also known as Janmashtami among Hindus, this day celebrates the natal day of Lord Krishna, and is celebrated with fasting day and night, reading from Bhagavad Gita and singing of devotional songs.
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, Wednesday 2 October 2013
This day celebrates the birthday of India’s preeminent leader of non-violence and passive resistance, Mahatma Gandhi, who led his people on the road to independence from British rule.
Dussehra, Sunday 13 October 2013
Another major Hindu Festival, Vijayadashami, as this day is also called, celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana. This also commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. Thus, the day is celebrated by burning the statue of Ravana and worshipping the Goddess Durga (hence the other name of this day, Durga Puja).
Id-ul-Zuha, Wednesday 16 October 2013
Otherwise known as Eid-al-Adha among Muslims, this is the Feast of the Sacrifice commemorated with slaughtering livestock and the distribution of the slaughtered meat to family, friends and the poor.
Diwali, Sunday, 3 November 2013
The Hindu “Festival of Lights”, Diwali or Deepawali commemorates the victory of Krishna over the demon Naraka and the return of Rama to Ayodha after conquering another demon, Ravana.
Muharram, Thursday 14 November 2013
This day celebrates the start of the Islamic New Year.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sunday 17 November 2013
The Sikh commemorate the birthday of their Guru Nanak, the founder of their faith.
Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December 2013
Christians celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ, on this day.
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Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
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