Based on religion, culture, tradition and lifestyle of the country, each country celebrates its own unique festivals and holidays. There is a long list of holidays for all the countries of the world.

India celebrates a number of holidays on various religious and public festivals. The Government of India has introduced three national holidays when the entire nation is enjoying a holiday.

India, being a multicultural and multireligious society, celebrates holidays and festivals of various religions.List of three Indian national holidays:

Independence Day

India got independence on August 15, 1947. India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation on that day in 1947. After achieving independence in 1947, every year August 15, is celebrated as a national holiday to pay salute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle.

Independence Day Celebrations

All over the country, flag-hoisting ceremonies are conducted by the local administration in attendance. Celebrated all across the nation with great enthusiasm, the day is marked with the Indian flag hoisting ceremony at Red Fort and Prime Minister’s address to the nation. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.

Republic Day

It is a national holiday celebrated on 26 January to commemorate the day when the country first became republic. The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, and on this day, India declared itself as a “Republic”.

Republic Day Celebrations

The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of their country. To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from the Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s Palace), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort. And, no other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms as India’s Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry.

Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations.

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the “Father of the Nation”. It is celebrated on October 2, every year. Gandhiji was born at Porbandar in Gujarat on the 2nd of October 1869. He is the man who played a significant role in achiveing independence for India from the British Empire with his simplicity and strong will power. He has made invaluable contribution in India’s freedom struggle and so every year on 2nd October, the whole country celebrates a holiday to commemorate his birth anniversary.

Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations

The day is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, A prayer meeting is held at Rajghat, Gandhi’s samadhi in New Delhi. To mark the respect that Gandhi had for all the religions and communities, representatives from different religions take part in it. Popular celebration includes prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions.

Gandhi, as he was popularly called, proved that non-violence is the most effective instrument of social change. His teachings are promoted even today to avoid violence and find peaceful solutions to conflicts.