What are Holi and Diwali? Holi and Diwali are two famous Indian festivals. Holi is more well-known internationally and has inspired events such as Color Runs across the world. Diwali is more famous in India and is the country's most important holiday, often compared to Christmas in the west. Diwali The festival of lights, known as Diwali or Deepavali, is the Hindu faith's most popular festival. Its essence revolves around light overcoming darkness, or the triumph of goodness over evil. Holi was not a public holiday in Pakistan from 1947 to 2016. Holi along with Diwali for Hindus, and Easter for Christians, was adopted as public holiday resolution by Pakistan's parliament in 2016, giving the local governments and public institutions the right to declare Holi as a holiday and grant leave for its minority communities, for the It's known as the "Festival of Lights" for all the fireworks, small clay lamps, and candles that are lit to guide their way. For Indian Hindu families, Diwali is the most anticipated festival of the year. Date: October 31, 2024; October 20, 2025; Essential Guide to the Diwali Festival; 12 Ways and Places to Celebrate Diwali in India List of Indian Festivals and Holidays in the year 2025, which includes Government and National Holidays, Buddhist Holidays, Jain Holidays, Sikh Holidays and Christian Holidays in India. En हि ગુ म বা த తె ಕ മ ଓ In the Braj region of India, Holi celebrations stretch for 16 days. 1:14. 2. Good triumphs over evil. Diwali is India’s most important holiday—and a celebration of good over evil. Holi, dating back to the 4th century, stands alongside Diwali, In India, where Holi is a national holiday, festivities traditionally begin with Holika Dahan the night before the main event Diwali is an official public holiday in many parts of India and is part of a five-day Hindu observance known as the ‘Festival of Lights’. Diwali is always celebrated between mid-October and mid-November in the western calendar, depending upon the lunar cycle each year. In 2025, Diwali will be celebrated across India on Tuesday 21 October. In India, a land of diverse cultures and traditions, vibrant festivals reflect the country’s rich heritage. From the colorful celebrations of Holi to the spiritual essence of Diwali, Indian festivals are not just events; they are experiences that unite people across religions, languages, and regions. Each festival, with its unique customs and Safety at Festivals in India . With so many people involved in celebrating festivals in India, safety issues are bound to arise. Some festivals, such as Holi, are more boisterous than others. Men freely get inebriated on Holi and roam around harassing (and groping) women. Hence, it's a good idea not to venture out alone, and avoid certain areas. Explore India's vibrant festival calendar for 2025, featuring public holidays, national holidays, and significant events. Get updates on Republic Day, Diwali, Holi, Eid-ul-Fitr, and more. India, the land of diverse religions, states, and cultures, is known for its rich tapestry of festivals and celebrations. Key Gazetted Holidays for 2025: Below is the comprehensive list of gazetted holidays for Central Government Offices in India for 2025: Republic Day: 26 January, Sunday. Maha Shivaratri: 26 February, Wednesday. Holi: 14 March, Friday. Id-ul-Fitr: 31 March, Monday. Mahavir Jayanti: 10 April, Thursday. Good Friday: 18 April, Friday. Buddha Purnima The Union government of India has published the list of Gazetted and Restricted holidays for the year 2025. This list is important for government offices, institutions, and individuals to plan their schedules and observe significant national, cultural, and religious events. Gazetted Holidays Gazetted holidays are compulsory for all government offices and institutions in the country. Table of Gazetted Holidays in India 2026 Restricted Holidays in India 2026. Restricted holidays allow flexibility for employees, enabling them to choose 2-3 holidays based on their cultural, regional, or religious preferences. Below is the list of Restricted India Public Holidays for 2026: India Public Holidays 2026. This page contains a national calendar of all 2026 public holidays for India. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates. Scroll down to view the national list or choose your state’s calendar. S.No. Gazetted Holiday. Date. Day of Week. 1. Republic Day. 26 January, 2025. Sunday. 2. Holi. 14 March, 2025. Friday. 3. Mahavir Jayanti. 10 April, 2025. Thursday. 4 In 2025, Delhi will observe a variety of bank holidays, reflecting national, cultural, and religious celebrations. Key national holidays such as Republic Day on January 26, Independence Day on Festival list 2025: भारत त्योहारों का देश है. भारत में शायद ही ऐसा कोई दिन हो जब कोई त्योहार ना हो. देश में हर रोज कोई न कोई फेस्टिवल मनाया जाता है. आइए जानते हैं अगले India is country with many holidays and festivals. India's holidays have two main types: gazetted holidays (mandatory holidays) and restricted holidays (up to the employee to decide whether or not to take leave). The most important public holiday in India is Diwali (October 20, 2025), which is as important as Christmas is for Westerners. Bank Holidays November 2024: Indian banks will observe 13 holidays in November 2024, impacting various states due to Diwali, Chhath Puja, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and regional festivals.
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