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Indian Festival Calendar — Monthly festivals and holidays including Diwali and Holi, tips for living the festive season

By ARAZIA India Desk10 min read

Indian Diwali lantern diya — featured image from Indian festival calendar — Ara Basu (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

As you spend the year in India, you will notice that the calendar is particularly colorful. Unlike Korea's public holidays, with the exception of Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok, most of which are fixed days according to the solar calendar, India uses several lunar calendar systems such as the Hindu calendar and the Islamic calendar, so even representative festivals such as Diwali and Holi have dates that change by a few days each year. When you first start living in India, you might think, ‘Is there some festival this month that’s stopping work?’, ‘Why are the roads so congested all of a sudden?’ People often get confused, but in actual experience, just knowing the festival calendar in advance makes everything from work schedules to grocery shopping and travel plans much easier.

This article is based on the experiences of Koreans who actually spent a year in NCR, including Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida, and organizes everything from India's national holiday system to monthly representative festival calendars, the meaning and preparation tips for major festivals including Diwali and Holi, festivals that are especially popular in the NCR local community, and tips for living wisely during the festival season.

However, the dates of festivals based on the Hindu calendar vary slightly every year, and the designation of public holidays by company and state government also differs, so please refer to the times provided in this article as an 'approximate flow' and be sure to double-check the official calendar or company HR notice for the exact date by year.

01Understanding India's public holiday system — national holidays and state differences

India's public holidays areA nationwide national holiday (Gazetted Holiday)Choose your break by religion or region.Restricted Holiday(RH)It is divided into: Like in Korea, there are few cases where all citizens have the same day off, so it can be a bit confusing when you first encounter it.

national holiday	date	note
Republic Day	January 26	On the fixed day of the solar calendar, a large-scale military parade is held in Delhi.
Independence Day	August 15th	Fixed solar calendar day, national flag-raising ceremony
Gandhi Jayanti	October 2nd	Fixed solar calendar day, memorial day for Mahatma Gandhi

Excluding these three dates, most festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, and Christmas are celebrated according to the Hindu calendar, Islamic calendar, etc.Calculation using the lunar calendarBecause of this, the Gregorian calendar date changes every year. The company uses some of theseHow employees choose to take time off from the Restricted Holiday listIn many cases, the rest days may vary from company to company within the same India, and even from employee to employee within the same company.

Holidays in Gurgaon and Noida may be different from those in Delhi.

The states of Haryana, which includes Delhi and Gurgaon, and Uttar Pradesh, which includes Noida, each release separate lists of state public holidays. It is common for banks and government offices to differ by a day or two in each region, so if you move within NCR or work across multiple regions, it is a good idea to get into the habit of checking your state government's public holiday notices separately.

02Monthly festival and holiday calendar at a glance

Festivals in India vary greatly depending on region and religion, but the following are representative festivals and holidays by month that are useful to know for those living in Delhi NCR. The exact date changes every year, so please refer to it as "approximately this time."

When (approximately)	Festivals and holidays	memo
january	Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Republic Day (26th)	Punjabi bonfire festival and kite flying to symbolize harvest gratitude
February~March	Vasant Panchami, Maha Shivratri, Holi	Holi is a festival of colors to welcome spring, with Holika Dahan (bonfire) held the night before.
March~April	Ram Navami, Mahavir Janyanti	Hindu and Jain festivals commemorating the birth of Rama and Mahavira
april	Baisakhi	Punjab New Year and Harvest Festival
August	Independence Day (15th), Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami	Raksha Bandhan, which celebrates the love between siblings, Janmashtami on Krishna's birthday.
August~September	ganesh chaturthi	Mumbai is famous, but events are also held in some parts of NCR
September~October	Navratri (9th), Dussehra/Vijayadashmi	Ravan Burning Ceremony on the last day of the period to worship Goddess Durga
October-November	Karva Chot, Diwali (5th day), Chhath Puja, Guru Nanak Janyanti, Bhai Dooj	The most crowded time of the year for festivals, peak holidays and traffic congestion
december	Christmas (25th)	The end-of-year atmosphere is greatly enjoyed commercially across India.

As seen in the tableFestivals are concentrated in October and NovemberThis is a major feature of the Indian calendar. During this period, air and train ticket prices rise and roads are much more crowded than usual, so it is a good idea to check in advance to ensure that it does not conflict with your personal schedule.

03Diwali — India's biggest holiday, the festival of lights

Diwali (Deepavali)is the largest holiday in India, held around the eve of the new year in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar, and is usually held between mid-October and mid-November. With the meaning of ‘light overcomes darkness’, each house is filled withdiya (lamp made of clay)A typical example is lighting and decorating rangoli (floor patterns drawn with colored powder).

Itinerary usually lasts 5 days

Dhanteras— It is considered an auspicious day to buy precious metals such as gold and silver or new home appliances.
Choti Diwali/Naraka Chaturdashi— The day before the main festival, clean and decorate the inside and outside of the house.
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)— Offering offerings to Lakshmi and Ganesh, the goddesses of wealth, lighting lamps, and firecrackers in the evening.
Govardhan Puja
Bhai Dooj— A day to share the affection between siblings

In terms of corporate lifeThe practice of paying bonuses around Diwali (Diwali bonus)Many companies have this, and the gifting culture of exchanging boxes of mithai (traditional sweets) or dried fruit with colleagues and business partners is also active. If you are curious about gift etiquetteIndia Tips, Gifts and Invitations Culture GuideIt may be helpful to refer to . Also, at this time, Amazon, Flipkart, etc.The biggest sale season of the year for online shopping mallsSince it overlaps withIndia Online Shopping GuideAnother way is to check in advance and look for sales.

However, if you are a resident of Delhi NCR, there are some things you must know. As large-scale use of firecrackers around Diwali coincides with air congestion in winter,When air quality (AQI) soars to its worst level of the yearIt is also. In recent years, measures to only allow 'green crackers (eco-friendly firecrackers)' or restrict the use of firecrackers during certain times have been discussed and implemented, but they often do not lead to actual improvements in air quality. It is a good idea to prepare a mask and air purifier in advance. Learn more about how to prepare for it.Delhi NCR Air Pollution Survival GuideYou can check it here.

Diwali festival in India — lighting lanterns and celebrating — Diwali is India's biggest holiday where families, neighbors, and colleagues light lanterns and share blessings. · Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Jackson, 18th Medical Command Public A (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

04Holi — a festival that welcomes spring with color

Holiis a 'festival of colors' usually held between the end of February and March, around the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The night before, a bonfire ceremony involves burning Holika, a symbol of evil.Holika DahanIt opens, and the next day during the day, people come out to the streets and have fun spraying colored powder (gulal) and throwing water balloons at each other.

Different Holi in Different Regions — Rasmar Holi

Holi has its own unique traditions in each region, the most famous of which is around Mathura.Lathmar Holi celebrated in Nandgaon and Barsanano see. This festival, which originates from the story of Krishna and Radha, features a unique scene where women playfully hit men with sticks (rathi), and is so famous that tourists flock from all over the country during the festival.

Good things to know when foreigners participate in Holi

ungrudgingtattersWear and participate. Even natural color powder often leaves marks after washing.
Before participating in order to protect your skin and hair.If you apply oil or lotion in advance,There is less pigment and it is easier to wash off.
Wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes, if possible.Natural ingredient (organic) color powderPlease check if it is Cheap chemical dyes can cause skin problems.
A traditional drink containing cannabis in some regions'bhang'This may appear, so it is safe to be careful even if you are offered a drink whose identity you do not know.
Holi parties are also commonly held within apartment societies (complexes), so if a neighbor or colleague invites you, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and participate as an opportunity to build good relationships.

Uttar Pradesh Nandgaon Rasmar Holi Festival — India's Holi Color Powder Festival — Lathmar Holi, held in Nandgaon and Barsana near Mathura, is considered the most unique local tradition among Holi festivals. · Original: Sachinghai09 / Derivative work: Radomianin (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

05Navratri, Durga Puja, Chhaat Puja — local community festivals in NCR

In India, there are separate festivals that are greatly enjoyed depending on the region and community of origin. Living in Delhi-NCR, where people from diverse backgrounds gather, you get to see a series of festivals of different colors within the fall season.

Navratri and Dussehra — nine days dedicated to Goddess Durga

Navratriis a nine-day festival honoring the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga and is a traditional dance especially enjoyed by the Gujarati community.Garba and Dandiya RaasEvents are also actively held in NCR's clubs, hotels, and societies. The last day of NavratriDussehra (Vijayadashmi)In commemoration of Rama's defeat of the evil king Ravana, large effigy burnings are held, the most representative event being Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

Durga Puja — a festival of ‘mini Kolkata’

For the Bengali community from West Bengal, the season of Navratri is imminent.Durga PujaIt's the season. It is a grand festival held for five days with a statue of Goddess Durga placed in a temporary temple structure called 'pandal', in a densely populated area of Bengali in Delhi.CR Park (Chittaranjan Park)It is so crowded with pandals and crowds that it is called ‘mini Kolkata’ during this period. There are several pandals hosted by the Bengali Association in Gurgaon and Noida, so if you want to feel the atmosphere of an exotic Indian festival, it is worth visiting.

Chhath Puja and Karva Chot

Migrant communities from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh give thanks to the sun god.Chhath PujaIt is celebrated in a grand manner, and people can be seen praying and taking a dip in the river at sunrise and sunset at places such as the banks of the Yamuna River in Delhi. Meanwhile, it is widely observed in North India, especially by the Punjabi community.Karva Chauthis a custom in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise to pray for their husbands' health and longevity. In Gurgaon's high-class societies, henna and mehndi events are held for women during this period.

Durga Puja Festival — Pandal Procession Dedicated to Goddess Durga — The Bengali community's Durga Puja is held as a large pandal (temporary temple) festival throughout NCR, including Delhi's CR Park. · JDP90 (Joydeep) (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)

06Tips for living the festive season wisely

Aside from the fun of festivals, there are many things to prepare for in real life in advance. In particular, October and November are the busiest times of the year when many festivals take place.

Good things to keep in mind

item	Preparedness Tips
traffic	In the days before and after Diwali and Dussehra, city traffic is busier than usual. Make sure to schedule your important appointments with plenty of time.
Grocery shopping/delivery	Since there are many public holidays in a row, supermarkets and stores may be closed for several days or delivery apps may be delayed. It is safer to stock up on daily necessities in advance.
travel reservations	Festive holidays overlap with the peak domestic travel season, so air and train tickets sell out quickly and fares rise. We recommend making reservations at least a few weeks in advance.
safety	Fire and noise complaints due to fireworks increase before and after Diwali, and during Holi, water balloons may fly onto the roads, so caution is required when driving.
Gifts and greetings	It is customary to give a box of mithai or a simple gift to colleagues or neighbors, so preparing even a small amount in advance can help make a good impression.

To summarize, the festival season in India is a time when both ‘inconvenience’ and ‘abundance’ come together. If you check your calendar in advance and adjust your transportation, shopping, and travel schedules, you can leisurely enjoy the holiday atmosphere that your neighbors and colleagues cherish, instead of rushing by.

Useful tips

Please check the public holidays at the beginning of each year.

Except for three national holidays (Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi's Birthday), most festivals are based on the Hindu and Islamic calendars, so the Gregorian calendar dates change every year. Plan your year ahead by checking your company's HR notice or your state's official holiday list at the beginning of the year.

Plan to spend big during Diwali sales season

아마존·플립카트 등 온라인 쇼핑몰의 연중 최대 세일이 디왈리 전후에 몰립니다. If you are planning to make a large purchase, such as home appliances or furniture, it is a good idea to wait until this time to make the purchase.

Holly prepared old clothes and protective oil.

If you're planning to participate in Holi, dress appropriately and apply oil or lotion to your skin and hair beforehand to make it much easier to wash off pigment. Also bring sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Prepare in advance for worsening air quality before and after Diwali

Diwali season, which coincides with the use of firecrackers and winter air congestion, is the time when Delhi NCR's AQI soars to its worst point of the year. Check your mask and air purifier filter in advance.

Invitations to the Apartment Society Festival are actively received.

If you are invited to a festival event held at the society level, such as a Holi party or Dussehra Garba, try participating with a light heart. There is no better opportunity than a festival to get closer to neighbors and colleagues.

Common pitfalls and how to solve them

People misunderstand the date of the festival as a fixed date in the solar calendar and end up failing when they schedule it for the same date every year.

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Most festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, are calculated according to the lunar calendar based on the Hindu calendar, so the dates shift by a few days each year. Please check the official calendar or company notice every year for the exact date.

Because Holi color powder is a cheap chemical dye, it can cause skin problems or allergies.

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If possible, check in advance whether the event uses natural ingredient (organic) color powder. Before participating, apply oil to the skin to reduce color absorption and wash thoroughly after the event.

After putting off grocery shopping just before the Diwali holiday, daily necessities are running out due to store closures and delivery delays.

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Since festival holidays often span multiple days in a row, supermarket and delivery apps may not operate normally. It is safer to do your grocery shopping a few days before the start of the holiday season.

It becomes awkward because you don't reciprocate the festive gifts you received from colleagues and neighbors.

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It is common gift etiquette in India to prepare a simple gift in return, such as a box of mithai (traditional sweets) or dry fruit. For more information, please refer to the tip and gift etiquette guide.

Since Gurgaon and Noida are in the same metropolitan area as Delhi, they assume that the public holidays will be the same, so the schedules are different.

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Gurgaon (Haryana) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) each follow separate lists of state holidays, so bank and government office closing days may differ by a day or two from Delhi. Please check your state government notice separately.

Latest updates

Delhi NCR, discussions on firecracker regulations during Diwali season continue every yearDue to concerns about worsening air quality, measures to only allow 'green crackers' or limit the times when fireworks can be used have been repeatedly discussed and implemented in Delhi NCR in recent years. Actual coverage and enforcement intensity varies from year to year, so we recommend consulting local news.
The scale of Diwali sales at online shopping malls is increasing every year.The large-scale sale events held around Diwali by major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart are increasing in size every year, and the number of consumers who make big purchases such as home appliances and furniture around this time is increasing.

FAQ

Why do Indian festival dates change every year?

Most Indian festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, are dated based on the Hindu calendar (lunisolar calendar), so the dates vary by a few days to several weeks each year based on the Gregorian calendar (solar calendar). It is best to check the exact yearly date through the official calendar or company notice.

How many days is the company closed during Diwali?

Diwali is often designated as a restricted holiday rather than a national holiday, so the number of days off varies from company to company. Many companies usually take a day off on this holiday, but some companies also add a few days of annual leave, so be sure to check your company's HR calendar.

What are the things you must take with you when participating in Holi?

Prepare old clothes that you don't care about, oil or lotion to protect your skin and hair, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. If possible, it is best to check in advance whether the event uses color powders with natural ingredients, and be careful about drinks with unclear ingredients, such as bhang.

Do Gurgaon and Noida have different public holidays than Delhi?

Yes, it may be different. Since the government of Haryana for Gurgaon and Uttar Pradesh for Noida each announce a separate list of public holidays, the closing days of banks and government offices may differ from those of Delhi by a day or two. It is best to check the notices of your state government separately.

When is the best time to book domestic travel during the festive season?

The Diwali and Dussehra holidays overlap with the peak domestic travel season, so air and train tickets sell out quickly and fares rise. We recommend making reservations at least a few weeks in advance.

References & links

Indian Government Official Portal Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy)KOTRA Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency Official site of Tourism Board of India (Incredible India)