Hindu religious festivals are celebrated across all states in India, with some observed regionally and others nationally. While the dates of some festivals are determined by the Hindu lunisolar calendar, others adhere annually to fixed dates on the Gregorian calendar.
India’s vibrant and diverse mix of states, each with its own language, customs, and festivals, means that Hindu festivals can vary from state to state. However, some festivals, such as Deepavali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri, and Maha Shivaratri, are celebrated nationally. Regional festivals include Vishu, Karva Chauth, and Ugadi.
Knowing the dates of these festivals in advance is crucial for planning festivities or holidays. These festivals not only bring together families, friends, and communities but also honor the ancestral traditions of Hindu culture.
Here’s a list of major Indian festivals and public holidays for the year 2024.
January
- 1st January: New Year’s Day
- 14th January: Makar Sankranti/Pongal
- 26th January: Republic Day
February
- 10th February: Vasant Panchami
March
- 8 March: Maha Shivaratri
- 24th March: Holi
April
- 8th April: Ram Navami
- 13th April: Mahavir Jayanti
- 14th April: Baisakhi/Ambedkar Jayanti
- 22nd April: Hanuman Jayanti
May
- 10th May: Buddha Purnima
July
- 20th July: Rath Yatra
August
- 15th August: Independence Day
- 17th August: Raksha Bandhan
- 28th August: Janmashtami
September
- 7th September: Ganesh Chaturthi
- 17th September: Onam
October
- 2nd October: Gandhi Jayanti
- 5th October: Dussehra
- 13th October: Eid e Milad (subject to lunar sightings)
- 24th October: Diwali
November
- 3rd November: Bhai Dooj
- 8th November: Chhath Puja
December
- 25th December: Christmas Day
These dates provide a broad overview, but always check local calendars as some festivals (like Eid) might shift based on moon sightings, and others like Onam and Pongal may vary by region.
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival, celebrates the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn and is observed across India and Nepal, typically on January 14 or 15. This festival, marking the shift from the winter solstice towards longer days, involves rituals such as taking holy dips in rivers like the Ganges, believed to purify one’s sins and bring good fortune. Kite flying is also popular during Makar Sankranti, with vibrant displays and competitions filling the skies. It is a time for expressing gratitude for the harvest and engaging in cultural activities.
Pongal
In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a significant four-day harvest festival. The main event, Thai Pongal, occurs on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. People prepare a special dish named after the festival using new harvest rice, jaggery, and other ingredients in a traditional earthen pot to honor the Sun God. The preceding day, Bhogi Pongal, involves discarding old belongings, symbolizing the abandonment of the past and the embrace of the future. Mattu Pongal, the third day, celebrates cattle, crucial for farming, by bathing and adorning them. The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is for family gatherings and social celebrations.
Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami, also known as Basant Panchami, heralds the onset of spring. It typically falls on the fifth day of Magha in the Hindu calendar, during late January or early February. Devotees worship Saraswati, the goddess of learning, music, and arts, seeking her blessings for creativity and wisdom. Yellow, considered auspicious, dominates the festival through attire and offerings. Cultural performances celebrate the arrival of spring.
Maha Shivaratri
Celebrated as the “Great Night of Shiva,” Maha Shivaratri falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Phalguna, usually in February or March. Devotees offer milk, fruits, flowers, and bael leaves to the Shiva Linga and observe fasts as a form of devotion. Celebrations occur across India and abroad with great fervor.
Holi
Known as the “Festival of Colors,” Holi marks the advent of spring and is one of the most vibrant Hindu festivals. Falling typically in March, it involves people playing with colors, singing, dancing, and partaking in festivities that bridge social gaps and generate joy. While famous for its playful color-throwing, Holi’s celebration varies with local traditions and cultural events.
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Telugu New Year
Celebrated in the Deccan region of India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Ugadi marks the new year on the Chaitra month’s first day, usually in March or April. Similarly, Gudi Padwa is observed in Maharashtra. Both festivals involve rituals of renewal, home decoration, and cultural activities to welcome the new year.
Rama Navami
Rama Navami commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, believed to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It takes place on the ninth day of Chaitra, often in March or April. Devotees fast and participate in pujas, reciting the Ramayana and joining processions that celebrate Lord Rama’s life and virtues.
Vaisakhi
Celebrated across India, especially in Punjab, Vaisakhi marks the Sikh New Year and the formation of the Khalsa. It coincides with the harvest festival, reflecting the agricultural calendar’s importance and is celebrated with various regional customs.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between siblings. The central ritual involves a sister tying a decorative thread, known as a rakhi, around her brother’s wrist to express her love and prayers for his well-being. In return, the brother often pledges his support and gives her a gift. This festival, traditionally observed in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravana, typically falls in August.
Janmashtami
Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, revered as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It generally occurs on Ashtami, the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight, in the month of Shravana, which usually aligns with August or September. Devotees celebrate by fasting, reciting hymns, and engaging in various cultural and religious activities. A notable tradition is “Dahi Handi,” where teams form human pyramids to break a pot of curd or butter, emulating the playful antics of a young Krishna. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India.
Vinayaka Chaturthi
Vinayaka Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity symbolizing wisdom and prosperity. Celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon phase in the month of Bhadrapada, usually in August or September, it features the placement of Ganesha idols in homes and public spaces. Devotees offer sweets, fruits, and flowers, seeking blessings for wisdom and success. The festival concludes with the immersion of the idols in water, symbolizing Ganesha’s return to his abode.
Mahalaya Amavasya
Mahalaya Amavasya is a significant Hindu occasion dedicated to honoring ancestors. Occurring on the new moon day in the month of Ashwin, it marks the beginning of Pitru Paksha, a 16-day lunar period that ends with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. During Mahalaya, rituals like Tarpanam or Shraddha are performed to show reverence and gratitude toward deceased ancestors, emphasizing the connection between the living and the departed.
Maha Navami
Maha Navami, the ninth day of the Navratri festival, venerates the goddess Durga. It typically occurs on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashwin, corresponding to September or October. Devotees celebrate the different forms of Goddess Durga with elaborate rituals and festivities. Maha Navami often coincides with the end of Durga Puja, a major celebration in West Bengal and other parts of India.
Diwali
Deepavali, commonly known as Diwali, is widely celebrated by Hindus in India and around the world, usually between October and November. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The main celebration takes place on the third day of the five-day festival when homes are cleaned and decorated, diyas (oil lamps) are lit, and fireworks are displayed. Family gatherings, festive meals, and the exchange of gifts are central to Diwali, with various deities worshiped according to local traditions. In North India, it celebrates the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his faithful friend Hanuman to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana.
Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Phota in some regions, is celebrated on the fifth and final day of Diwali. It traditionally occurs on the second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Kartika, usually in October or November. The festival honors the brother-sister bond; sisters perform a special ceremony where they apply a tilak (vermilion mark) on their brothers’ foreheads, perform an aarti (ritual of light), and pray for their welfare. Brothers, in return, give gifts and vow their protection and support. The celebration strengthens the affectionate bond between siblings.
Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, revered as the source of all life on Earth. Predominantly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, it occurs six days after Diwali, usually in October or November. The four-day event involves rigorous rituals and fasting. Devotees offer prayers to the setting sun and again to the rising sun the following day, often standing in water and offering arghya (offerings to the sun) during these prayers.
Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima is observed on the full moon day or Purnima of the month of Kartika, typically falling between October and November. Known by various names across different regions, this festival holds significance in several traditions. Lighting lamps or diyas, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness with light, is a prominent practice. Kartik Purnima is also associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, his son Kartikeya, and Goddess Parvati.
Understanding these festivals provides a deep insight into Hindu culture, reflecting the rich tapestry of beliefs, practices, and communal values cherished across India.
