Holidays in January 2025: A Month Full of Celebrations

India is a country with many cultures, traditions, and holidays. January is an exciting month in India because it is filled with different festivals and special days. Some holidays are national, which means everyone celebrates them, and some are local, celebrated in certain parts of the country. Let’s look at the holidays in India in January 2025.

List of Public Holidays in January 2025

List of Gazetted Holiday in January 2025

List of Restricted Holiday in January 2025

Understanding the Holidays

• New Year’s Day: While New Year’s Day is not a national holiday in India, many people celebrate it, especially in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. People go out with their families and friends to parties, events, or watch fireworks to welcome the new year.

• Lohri: Lohri is celebrated mostly in Punjab and Haryana. It’s a fun festival that marks the end of winter and the start of longer days. Families gather around bonfires, dance, and sing traditional songs. They eat sweets made of sesame seeds, jaggery, and popcorn while celebrating the harvest.

• Republic Day: Republic Day is one of India’s most important holidays. It celebrates the day in 1950 when India became a republic with its own constitution. There is a grand parade in New Delhi, where soldiers march, and there are colorful performances by school children. People all over India watch this parade on TV, and flags are flown proudly.

• Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is a special day that celebrates the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. He was a brave leader and a great teacher who taught people to stand up for truth and justice. On this day, Sikhs go to the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) to pray and remember his teachings. People also sing hymns, share food, and do good deeds to honor his memory.

• Gaan-Ngai: Gaan-Ngai is a festival celebrated by the Zeliangrong people of North-East India, especially in Manipur. It marks the end of the harvest season and the start of a new year. People come together to sing, dance, and perform traditional rituals to thank their gods. They also share meals and enjoy time with family and friends during this joyful festival.

• Swami Vivekananda Jayanti: Swami Vivekananda Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a great Indian thinker and spiritual leader. He is known for spreading messages of peace, strength, and kindness. On this day, people remember his teachings, especially how he encouraged everyone to believe in themselves. Schools and communities hold special events and speeches to honor his life.

• Pongal: Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu to thank the sun, rain, and farmers for a good harvest. It lasts for four days, and people cook a special dish called Pongal made from rice and jaggery. Families clean and decorate their homes, wear new clothes, and share delicious food with neighbors. It’s a time of happiness and gratitude for nature’s gifts.

• Makara Sankranti: Makara Sankranti is a harvest festival celebrated in many parts of India. It marks the day when the sun starts moving towards the north, bringing longer days. People fly colorful kites, take holy dips in rivers, and make sweets from sesame seeds and jaggery. It’s a time for fun, family, and giving thanks for the harvest.

• Hazrat Ali Jayanti: Hazrat Ali Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Hazrat Ali, a respected figure in Islam and the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. He is known for his bravery, wisdom, and kindness. On this day, people remember his teachings about justice and helping others. Families gather to share stories and prayers, celebrating his important role in history.

• Magh Bihu: Magh Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, India. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for feasting and fun. People cook special dishes, dance, and sing traditional songs around bonfires. Families and friends come together to celebrate the joy of good food and a good harvest.

• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti is the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a brave leader in India’s fight for independence. He believed in freedom for India and worked hard to inspire people to join the movement. On this day, we remember his courage and dedication to the country. Schools and communities hold events to celebrate his life and teachings.

Fun Facts About January Holidays in India:

• Makar Sankranti is celebrated with kite-flying competitions in places like Gujarat and Rajasthan. The sky is filled with colorful kites!
• Pongal is also the name of a tasty rice dish that people eat during the festival.
• On Republic Day, a special guest from another country is invited to watch the parade with the President of India.
• During Lohri, people throw sesame seeds, puffed rice, and popcorn into the bonfire as offerings.

How You Can Celebrate

• New Year’s Day: Make a fun new year’s resolution and spend time with your family.
• Lohri: Dance around a bonfire with your family, sing songs, and eat popcorn.
• Makar Sankranti / Pongal: Fly a kite or make some traditional sweets like tilgul (sesame and jaggery sweets).
• Republic Day: Watch the Republic Day parade on TV and learn about India’s history.
• Thaipusam: If you are in Tamil Nadu or Kerala, visit a temple and see the beautiful rituals dedicated to Lord Murugan.

January 2025 is a month full of vibrant festivals and important days in India. From flying kites on Makar Sankranti to watching the Republic Day parade, there’s something special to celebrate for everyone!