Holidays in August 2025: Celebrations Across India

August 2025 in India is filled with important national and regional holidays, marking cultural, religious, and historical significance. From celebrating independence to honoring gods, the month brings together people of different faiths in joyful and solemn festivities.

List of Public Holidays in August 2025

List of Gazetted Holiday in August 2025

List of Restricted Holiday in August 2025

Overview of August 2025 Holidays

1. Jhulan Purnima (8 Aug 2024)

Jhulan Purnima is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in West Bengal and Odisha in honor of Lord Krishna and Radha. It takes place during the rainy season when idols of Krishna and Radha are placed on swings and beautifully decorated. Devotees sing songs, offer prayers, and celebrate their divine love.

2. Tendong Lho Rum Faat  (8 Aug 2024)

Tendong Lho Rum Faat is a traditional festival celebrated by the Lepcha community in Sikkim. It honors the sacred Tendong Hill, which, according to legend, saved the Lepchas from a great flood. The festival involves rituals, prayers, and cultural performances to show gratitude to nature and the spirits that protect them.

3. Raksha Bandhan  (9 Aug 2024)

Raksha Bandhan is a popular Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a rakhi (a sacred thread) on their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing love and protection. In return, brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters throughout life. It is a joyful occasion that strengthens family ties and is celebrated with sweets, prayers, and blessings.

4. Independence Day  (15 Aug 2024)

Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 every year in India to mark the country’s freedom from British rule in 1947. On this day, the nation honors the sacrifices of freedom fighters with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural programs. The Prime Minister delivers a speech from the Red Fort, and people across India celebrate by flying kites, singing patriotic songs, and enjoying the spirit of independence.

5. Parsi New Year  (16 Aug 2024)

Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz, is celebrated by the Parsi community, marking the start of their new year according to the Shahenshahi calendar. It usually falls in August and is a day of renewal, joy, and family gatherings. Parsis visit fire temples to offer prayers, clean their homes, and prepare traditional dishes like falooda and dhansak. The festival symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness.

6. Janmashtami  (16 Aug 2024)

Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is observed with great devotion, especially in places like Mathura and Vrindavan. Devotees fast, sing devotional songs, and decorate temples with lights. At midnight, the moment Krishna was born, celebrations reach their peak with prayers and reenactments of his life. A popular tradition during Janmashtami is Dahi Handi, where groups form human pyramids to break a pot of curd, symbolizing Krishna’s love for butter.

7. Hartalika Teej  (26 Aug 2024)

Hartalika Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated by women, primarily in North India and Nepal, to honor the goddess Parvati and pray for marital happiness. It falls in August or September and marks the day when Parvati reunited with Lord Shiva. Women observe a day-long fast, dress in traditional attire, and worship clay idols of Parvati and Shiva. The festival is a celebration of love, devotion, and the bond of marriage.

8. Ganesh Chaturthi  (27 Aug 2024)

Ganesh Chaturthi is a vibrant Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. It usually falls in August or September and lasts for 10 days. People bring home idols of Ganesha, decorate them, and offer prayers, flowers, and sweets, especially modaks (Ganesha’s favorite food). The festival culminates with the immersion of the idols in water, symbolizing Ganesha’s return to his celestial abode. Ganesh Chaturthi is marked by joyful gatherings, music, and dance, showcasing the rich cultural traditions of India.

Fun Facts About August Holidays

• Diverse Celebrations: August showcases India’s cultural diversity, from the national pride of Independence Day to the religious fervor of Nag Panchami and Janmashtami.
• Community Bonds: Festivals like Raksha Bandhan and Navroz strengthen bonds within families and communities, fostering unity and love.
• Historical Significance: Independence Day stands out as a day that unites the whole nation in remembrance of its freedom struggle and a celebration of its sovereignty.