Posts Tagged ‘Diwali’
Indian Holidays 2014 (National)
India has so many traditions, religions and cultures, that it can sometimes be hard to track whether a certain festival is a holiday or not.
Below is a list of official holidays for 2014 (as published by the Government of India), observed nationally.
| Date | National Holidays in India | Week Day |
| Jan 14 | Id-E-Milad | Tuesday |
| Jan 26 | Republic Day | Sunday |
| Mar 17 | Holi | Monday |
| Apr 08 | Ram Navmi | Tuesday |
| Apr 13 | Mahavir Jayanthi | Sunday |
| Apr 18 | Good Friday | Friday |
| May 14 | Buddha Purnima | Wednesday |
| Jul 29 | Id-Ul-Fitr | Tuesday |
| Aug 15 | Independence Day | Friday |
| Aug 18 | Krishna Janmastami | Monday |
| Oct 02 | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi | Thursday |
| Oct 03 | Dussera/ Vijaya Dashami (Maha Navmi) | Friday |
| Oct 06 | Bakri Id (Id-ul-zuha) | Monday |
| Oct 23 | Diwali | Thursday |
| Nov 04 | Muharram | Tuesday |
| Nov 06 | Guru Nanak Jayanthi | Thursday |
| Dec 25 | Christmas | Thursday |
In addition, individual states/ regions may have additional holidays for festivals and local celebrations. Key regional holidays and festivals are listed below.
| Date | Other regional holidays/ major festivals in India | Week Day |
| Jan 01 | New Year’s Day | Wednesday |
| Jan 07 | Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Tuesday |
| Jan 14 | Makar Sankranti | Tuesday |
| Jan 14 | Pongal | Tuesday |
| Feb 04 | Vasant/ Shree Panchami | Tuesday |
| Feb 14 | Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Friday |
| Feb 19 | Shivaji Jayanti | Wednesday |
| Feb 24 | Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti | Monday |
| Feb 27 | Maha Shivratri | Thursday |
| Mar 16 | Holika Dahan | Sunday |
| Mar 31 | Chaitra Sukladi/ GudiPadava/ Ugadi/ Cheti Chand | Monday |
| Apr 14 | Vaisakhi/ Vishu/ Mesadi/ Mashadi Uczadi | Monday |
| Apr 15 | Vaisakhadi(Bengal)/ Bahag Bihu (Assam) | Tuesday |
| Apr 20 | Easter | Sunday |
| May 09 | Guru Rabindranath’s Birthday | Friday |
| May 13 | Hazarat Ali’s Birthday | Tuesday |
| Jun 29 | Rath Yatra | Sunday |
| Jul 25 | Jamat-Ul-Vida | Friday |
| Aug 10 | Raksha Bandhan | Sunday |
| Aug 18 | Parsi New Year’s day | Monday |
| Aug 29 | Vinayaka Chaturthi/Ganesh Chaturthi | Friday |
| Sep 07 | Onam | Sunday |
| Oct 01 | Dussehra (Maha Saptami) (Additional) | Wednesday |
| Oct 02 | Dussehra (Maha Ashtami) (Additional) | Thursday |
| Oct 08 | Maharishi Valmiki’s Birthday | Wednesday |
| Oct 11 | Karva Chauth (Karaka Chaturthi) | Saturday |
| Oct 22 | Narak Chaturdashi/ Deepavali – South India | Wednesday |
| Oct 24 | Govardhan Puja | Friday |
| Oct 25 | Bhai Duj | Saturday |
| Oct 29 | Pratihar Sashthi or Surya Sashthi (Chhat Puja) | Wednesday |
| Nov 24 | Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day | Monday |
| Dec 24 | Christmas Eve | Wednesday |
| Dec 28 | Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Sunday |
PS: Local names/ spellings of these holidays/festivals may differ.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights. Also known as Deepavali (which literally means ‘row of lamps’), Diwali is usually celebrated in October-November on the darkest moonless night. The festival starts on the thirteenth day of waning moon and there are 5 days of Diwali. Each day is of special significance.
The first day is called Dhanteras : Dhan means wealth and Teras is the thirteenth day of the Hindu month. This is the birthday of Lord Dhanwantari and is considered a very auspicious day for businesses! On this day, people pray to Lord Dhanwantari for money and success. Dhanteras is also called the day of Yamadeepan.
The second day of Diwali is called Naraka Chaturdashi or ‘Choti Diwali’. According to legend, this is the day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Nakasura. The fireworks that we light during Diwali are supposed to represent the weapons that Lord Krishna used to defeat Nakasura.
The third day of Diwali is the real Diwali. This is the only day in the year when Goddess Laxmi comes down to earth and bestows prosperity and good fortune. We light diyas to invite Goddess Laksmi and drive away darkness. People perform Lakshmi puja and ask for blessings of prosperity. This is also the day that Lord Ram (who is said to be the avatar of Lord Vishnu) returned home after killing the Lankan ruler Ravana. Fireworks also represent the victory of good over evil!
The fourth day of Diwali is Govardhan Puja. Lord Krishna saved Gokul from flooding by using the Govardhan mountain as an umbrella
The last day of Diwali is bhai dooj and is a symbol of love between brothers and sisters. Legend has it that Yamraj the lord of death visited his sister (the river Yamuna) and she put a tilak on his forehead. So on this day, sisters apply a tilak on their brothers forehead and get gifts and blessings in return.
This year Diwali (the third and main day) falls on Sunday November 3rd. For a full list of Indian festivals and holidays check out our blog post Indian festival list 2013
Question aides for parents:
Q1) When is Diwali?
Q2) Why do we light diyas during Diwali?
Q3) How many days of Diwali are there?
Q4) What do the fireworks represent?
Diwali gift ideas
Diwali is around the corner and your gifts are a click away! Check out some fun ideas to get you inspired
Funny ‘Indian’ Mugs
These ‘Indian’ mugs come in a series of 3. You know you’re Indian, Always Indian, Still Indian
You know you are Indian if’….’10 kg rice bag’….’you dont use measuring cups when cooking’…’you love bollywood’…’Maybe because everything you eat is savored in tomato, garlic and onion :)’
Always Indian coffee mug
Amar Chitra Katha – The Complete Collection
Calling all Amar Chitra Katha fans! This gift set is one to be treasured. The entire collection in a beautifully packaged box set
Amar Chitra Katha – The complete collection
Ravan T-Shirt
A modern rendition of an Diwali iconic symbol
Ravana T Shirt
Sand Art Rangoli Kit
Back in stock – this popular kit is a lovely way of holding onto the Rangoli art form even after the Diwali season! Rangoli creations can be framed
Sand Art Rangoli kit
Take $5 off your order of $50 or more by using coupon DWL5 at checkout (valid till Oct 31st 2013).
Indian Holidays 2013
India has so many traditions, religions and cultures, that it can sometimes be hard to track whether a certain festival is a holiday or not.
Below is a list of official holidays for 2013 (as published by the Government of India), observed nationally.
| Date | National Holidays in India | Day of Week |
| January 25 | Id-E-Milad | Friday |
| January 26 | Republic Day | Saturday |
| March 27 | Holi | Wednesday |
| March 29 | Good Friday | Friday |
| April 19 | Ram Navmi | Friday |
| April 24 | Mahavir Jayanti | Wednesday |
| May 25 | Buddha Purnima | Saturday |
| August 9 | Id-Ul-Fitr | Friday |
| August 15 | Independence Day | Thursday |
| August 28 | Krishna Janmastami | Wednesday |
| October 2 | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | Wednesday |
| October 13 | Dussera/ Vijaya Dashami (Maha Navmi) | Sunday |
| October 16 | Bakri Id (Id-ul-zuha) | Wednesday |
| November 3 | Diwali | Sunday |
| November 14 | Muharram | Thursday |
| November 17 | Guru Nanak Jayanti | Sunday |
| December 25 | Christmas |
Wednesday |
In addition, individual states/ regions may have additional holidays for festivals and local celebrations. Key regional holidays and festivals are listed below.
| Date | Other regional holidays/ major festivals in India | Day of week |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | Tuesday |
| January 13 | Makar Sankaranti | Sunday |
| January 14 | Pongal | Monday |
| January 18 | Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Friday |
| February 14 | Shree Panchami | Thursday |
| February 15 | Vasant Panchami | Friday |
| February 19 | Shivaji Jayanti | Tuesday |
| February 25 | Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Monday |
| March 7 | Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti | Thursday |
| March 10 | Maha Shivratri | Sunday |
| March 26 | Holika Dahan | Tuesday |
| March 31 | Easter | Sunday |
| April 11 | Chaitra Sukladi/ GudiPadava/ Ugadi/ Cheti Chand | Thursday |
| April 13 | Vaisakhi/ Vishu | Saturday |
| April 14 | Mesadi/ Mashadi Uczadi | Sunday |
| April 15 | Vaisakhadi(Bengal)/ Bahag Bihu (Assam) | Monday |
| May 9 | Guru Rabindranath’s birthday | Thursday |
| May 24 | Hazarat Ali’s Birthday | Friday |
| July 10 | Rath Yatra | Wednesday |
| August 2 | Jamat-Ul-Vida | Friday |
| August 18 | Parsi New Year’s day | Sunday |
| August 20 | Raksha Bandhan | Tuesday |
| September 9 | Vinayaka Chaturthi/ Ganesh Chaturthi | Monday |
| September 16 | Onam | Monday |
| October 11 | Dussehra (Maha Saptami) (Additional) | Friday |
| October 12 | Dussehra (Maha Ashtami) (Additional) | Saturday |
| October 18 | Maharishi Valmiki’s birthday | Friday |
| October 22 | Karva Chauth (Karaka Chaturthi) | Tuesday |
| November 2 | Narak Chaturdashi/ Deepavali – South India | Saturday |
| November 5 | Bhai Duj | Tuesday |
| November 8 | Pratihar Sashthi or Surya Sashthi (Chhat Puja) | Friday |
| November 24 | Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day | Sunday |
A great way to introduce festivals of India to young minds is “Tell me about: Festivals of India“
PS: Local names/ spellings of these holidays/festivals may differ.
Indian Culture & Art in USA, a RedPatang.com Blog 