October Holidays in 2024 in India: A Month of Festivals and Celebrations

October is a month filled with festivals, holidays, and celebrations across India. With the onset of autumn, the weather becomes more pleasant, and the country gears up for some of the most significant and colorful events of the year. From religious observances to cultural festivals, October 2024 offers a perfect blend of joy, devotion, and unity for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at the key holidays and celebrations happening in India during October 2024.

List of Public Holidays in October 2024

List of Bank Holidays in October 2024

List of Gazetted Holidays in October 2024

List of Non-Gazetted Holidays in October 2024

List of Postal Holidays in October 2024

Overview of October 2024 Holidays

1. Gandhi Jayanti (02 Oct 2024)

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2 to honor Mahatma Gandhi, the leader who helped India gain freedom. He taught people to use peace and non-violence to solve problems. On this day, people remember his good work, visit his memorial, and talk about his important lessons of kindness and truth.

2. Navratri Begins (03 Oct 2024)

Navratri is a nine-day festival where people pray to Goddess Durga and celebrate her different forms. Each day, they wear colorful clothes, sing, dance, and enjoy special food. It’s a time of happiness, devotion, and coming together with family and friends to celebrate good winning over evil.

3. Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti (03 Oct 2024)

Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Maharaja Agrasen, a kind and wise king known for helping people and promoting fairness. He believed in equality and started a community where everyone could live peacefully. On this day, people remember his good deeds and learn about his teachings of kindness and unity.

4. Maha Saptami (10 Oct 2024)

Maha Saptami is the seventh day of the Durga Puja festival, when people worship Goddess Durga and her battle against evil. On this day, beautifully decorated idols of the goddess are placed in temples and pandals. People gather to offer prayers, sing songs, and enjoy the festive atmosphere with family and friends.

5. Maha Navami (11 Oct 2024)

Maha Navami is the ninth day of the Durga Puja festival, a time when people worship Goddess Durga to celebrate her victory over evil. It’s an important day filled with prayers, offerings, and celebrations. Families visit temples, enjoy festive food, and take part in cultural events to honor the goddess.

6. Dussehra (12 Oct 2024)

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. It marks the end of the Navratri festival and symbolizes the victory of good over evil, commemorating Lord Rama’s defeat of Ravana, the demon king.

7. Ayudha Puja (12 Oct 2024)

Ayudha Puja is a special day during the Navratri festival when people worship their tools, machines, and vehicles. It is a way of thanking them for helping with work and asking for safety and success. On this day, people clean and decorate their tools, offer prayers, and sometimes even place their books and instruments for blessings.

8. Kati Bihu (17 Oct 2024)

Kati Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam during October. On this day, people light lamps in their fields and near their homes to pray for a good harvest. They also offer prayers to protect their crops and help them grow. It’s a time of hope and looking forward to a successful farming season.

9. Valmiki Jayanti (17 Oct 2024)

Valmiki Jayanti is the birthday of Maharishi Valmiki, who wrote the famous epic Ramayana. He was a great poet and teacher. On this day, people celebrate by reading his stories, offering prayers, and remembering his wise teachings. It’s a day to honor his contributions to Indian culture and literature.

10. Karva Chauth (20 Oct 2024)

Karva Chauth is a festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the health and long life of their husbands. They dress in colorful clothes, pray to the moon, and break their fast after seeing it at night. It’s a special day that celebrates love and care between husbands and wives.

11. Naraka Chaturdashi (31 Oct 2024)

Naraka Chaturdashi is a festival celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. On this day, people clean their homes, take special baths, and light lamps to drive away darkness and evil. It’s also known as Choti Diwali and is a time for fun, sweets, and celebrations with family.

12. Diwali (31 Oct 2024)

Diwali is a big festival of lights celebrated with joy and excitement. People decorate their homes with colorful lights, burst fireworks, and share sweets with family and friends. It’s a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil and enjoy special prayers, fun activities, and delicious treats.