There are many Indian holidays in October which are celebrated differently across the country. In a nation that’s so diverse, these are nine popular holidays that are worth celebrating!
India is famous for its diversity as well as its colorful and bright festivals! Some are more popular than others, but these Indian holidays in October are a lot of fun. From Gandhi’s birthday to Diwali, there’s many reasons to celebrate.
One thing to consider is that many of these holidays follow the lunar calendar, so their dates vary each year. While they might not all be celebrated in October in 2023, these holidays commonly do fall in October.
Indian holidays in October are celebrated for a variety of reasons, most of which are religious. They are also celebrated in different ways depending on the region. With fireworks, fasting, and delicious feasts, these holidays are a time for joy and happiness.
This post is all about Indian holidays in October.
Indian Holidays in October
#1 Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India that is observed on October 2nd every year. It’s one of the few Indian holidays in October that isn’t celebrated for religious reasons. It commemorates the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, also known as the “Father of the Nation” in India.
Gandhi was a prominent leader in India’s struggle for independence from British rule and famously believed in nonviolent resistance. He advocated for civil disobedience, passive resistance, and peaceful protests as tools to bring social and political change.
Gandhi Jayanti is a celebration of his values and teachings. It serves as a reminder of his tireless efforts to achieve freedom, justice, and equality for all people. There are various events that take place across the country in honor of Gandhi Jayanti.
How do people celebrate Gandhi Jayanti?
There are many cultural programs and public lectures to highlight his life and impact in India. It’s a day where people may visit statues or memorials in his honor and offer flowers.
It’s also a big day for charitable activities and community service. Volunteering is a way of embodying Gandhi’s ideals of selflessness and service to others. There are a lot of clean-up drives that you can find and take part in as a way of giving to the community.
#2 Navratri
The dates of Navratri vary each year based on the lunar calendar. This year in 2023, it’s October 15th – Oct 24th. “Nav” means nine and “ratri” means night, fitting as it’s a holiday celebrated over 9 days. It’s a huge celebration among various parts of India!
Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to worshiping the divine feminine energy, primarily in the form of the goddess Durga. It represents the fight between Mahishasura and Goddess Durga, who eventually wins. Her victory is celebrated and signifies that good wins over evil.
Each of the nine nights is associated with a different form of the goddess, collectively known as the Navadurga. These forms are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
How do people celebrate Navratri?
One of the most famous ways Navratri is celebrated is with colorful and lively dances known as Garba and Dandiya. Garba is especially big in places like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. It is super fun to take part in and easy to learn some simple steps!
There are many places that will host Garba and Dandiya for the public to join. People dress very colorfully and the dances have a lot of circular movements. Dandiya involves holding sticks that you dance with which represent swords.
On each of the nine nights, special pujas (religious ceremonies) are performed to honor the specific form of the goddess being worshiped that day. The pujas involve offering flowers, incense, diyas and various symbolic items to the deity.
Temples are often adorned with intricate decorations and there are often large idols out for the public. Some devotees set up elaborate displays of idols or images of the goddess in their homes which they offer prayers and songs to as well. While it’s celebrated all over India, it’s especially a major holiday in Gujarat.
#3 Durga Puja
Durga Puja is like Navratri, but famously celebrated in Bengal. Similarly, the dates are based on the lunar calendar so change each year. In 2023, Durga Puja is celebrated October 20th – October 24th.
While the entire Hindu festival is also 9 days, the main festivities take place on the last 5 days. Like Navratri, it’s a celebration of the Goddess Druga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing good over evil.
How do people celebrate Durga Puja?
While Durga Puja is a major festival in Bengal, it’s also celebrated in Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Bihar and Jharkhand. Similar to Navratri, there are many large idols set up where people do pujas (prayers), chant, and offer gifts like flowers, sweets and incense.
People also bring idols of the Goddess into their homes. At the end of the festival, they take the idols for Visarjan, meaning they immerse it in water like rivers or the sea. This symbolizes the goddess’s return to her divine abode and her eventual comeback the next year.
People in West Bengal celebrate with Dhunuchi, a dance form that is performed by women wearing red traditional clothes. They balance clay pots filled with burning incense and it’s a dance to express devotion.
#4 Dussehra
Dussehra falls directly after Navratri and therefore the date varies each year. It is celebrated on October 24th in 2023. It is the 10th day of Navratri or the 10th day of the lunar month Aswhin, “dus” meaning 10.
Dussehra is a major Hindu festival that is widely celebrated across India. It is observed and celebrated differently in various regions, but overall the holiday commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, the victory of good over evil.
According to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, Ravana had abducted Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, and imprisoned her in his kingdom of Lanka. Rama, with the help of his allies and Lord Hanuman, waged a battle against Ravana to rescue Sita. The war culminated in Ravana’s defeat on the tenth day, Vijayadashami (Dussehra).
How do people celebrate Dussehra?
Leading up to Dussehra, many regions in India enact the Ramlila, a series of theatrical performances that depict episodes from the Ramayana. If you are able to attend any performance, it is a great way to learn and understand the story of Ramayana.
One of the most distinctive and visually striking aspects of Dussehra is the burning of effigies of Ravana. This is more done in the north and you can easily find this happening in Delhi. The effigies are usually made out of bamboo, cloth and paper and are set ablaze in open fields or public spaces to symbolize the victory of righteousness over evil.
On Dussehra, people often visit temples dedicated to Lord Rama and offer prayers and special pujas. Devotees seek blessings, give offerings, and express their devotion to the divine.
#5 Eid Milad
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, is an Islamic holiday and national holiday in India. The date of Eid Milad varies each year since it is based on the Islamic lunar calendar. It often occurs in October, but in 2023 it will be celebrated from September 27th – September 28th.
It is observed in various parts of the world, including India, with reverence and festivities that commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The holiday serves as an occasion to express love, respect, and gratitude for his teachings and guidance.
How do people celebrate Eid Milad?
The way Eid Milad is observed can vary among different regions and communities in India. Mosques and homes are often adorned with lights, banners, and decorations to mark the festive occasion. Special prayers, sermons, and recitations of the Quran are held in mosques and other Islamic centers.
In some parts of India, processions are organized where believers carry banners, flags, and images depicting Islamic symbols and events from the life of the Prophet. These processions often include chants and songs praising the Prophet.
It’s common to share sweets, meals, and other foods with family, friends, and neighbors as a way of celebrating and strengthening community bonds. Many Muslims use Eid Milad as an opportunity to engage in acts of charity and kindness, reflecting the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings of compassion and generosity.
#6 Diwali
Diwali is probably the most popular of the Indian holidays in October! However, it’s based on the lunar calendar so the dates change each year. While it often occurs in October, in 2023 Diwali will be celebrated on November 12th. Diwali is a multi-day festival and is celebrated across the country in a variety of ways.
It is often referred to as the “Festival of Lights” due to the traditional practice of lighting diyas (oil lamps) to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
One common narrative is the celebration of Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit oil lamps to welcome Rama and to celebrate his victory and homecoming. In other regions, Diwali is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, who is worshiped for wealth and prosperity.
How do people celebrate Diwali?
The lighting of diyas is a central part of Diwali. Homes, temples, and public places are illuminated to dispel darkness and to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. People will often keep a diya lit outside their home and it’s common to see lights hung up around cities (like how people put up Christmas lights in the US).
Diwali is a time when houses are cleaned, decorated, and adorned with rangoli (colorful patterns made with colored powders or rice flour), flowers, and traditional ornaments. It’s customary to wear new clothes on Diwali as a symbol of starting anew and celebrating the festival with a fresh outlook. I love buying traditional clothes from Fab India and the quality is amazing!
Families get together to perform special prayers and rituals. There are also many special treats and foods made for Diwali depending on the region. People exchange gifts, sweets, and treats with friends, family, and neighbors as a gesture of goodwill and love.
Diwali is also a famous time to light firecrackers and fireworks. However in recent years, there has been growing awareness about the environmental impact and pollution caused by them. Many people are now opting for more eco-friendly celebrations.
#7 Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj is a Hindu holiday celebrated in various regions of India during one of the days of the Diwali festival. While the date varies each year based on the lunar calendar, in 2023 it is celebrated November 15th, although it often occurs in October. It is celebrated traditionally more in some parts of India than others.
Bhai Dooj celebrates the unique bond between brothers (“bhai”) and sisters. It’s a day when siblings express their love, affection, and gratitude towards each other. Sisters pray for the long life and well-being of their brothers, while brothers promise to protect and support their sisters.
How do people celebrate Bhai Dooj?
On Bhai Dooj, sisters perform a puja (prayer) for the well-being and prosperity of their brothers. The rituals vary from region to region, but generally involve lighting a diya and applying a tilak (mark) on the brother’s forehead.
Brothers also offer gifts to their sisters as gestures of appreciation and love. Gifts can range from money and clothes to sweets or other presents.
Overall, Bhai Dooj is a time for family gatherings and sharing quality time with loved ones. It emphasizes the importance of familial relationships and the strong bonds between siblings. There are often delicious foods and sweets to enjoy together and celebrate!
#8 Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival observed by married women, primarily in north India. Based on the lunar calendar, it often falls in October but in 2023 takes place on November 1st.
The holiday is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm by married women, although it’s not celebrated across the country. In the north, it serves as a reflection of women’s dedication to their marital relationship as they pray for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
Karva Chauth is not just a ritual but also a time for social interaction. Women often get together with neighbors and friends to observe the fast and celebrate the occasion.
How do people celebrate Karva Chauth?
The most well-known aspect of Karva Chauth is the fast observed by married women from sunrise until moonrise. They abstain from food and water during this time as an act of devotion and self-discipline.
Before beginning the fast, married women receive a meal called “sargi” from their mothers-in-law or elderly female relatives. Women dress in traditional attire, usually wearing bright, festive clothes, adorn themselves with jewelry, and apply henna (mehndi) on their hands.
In the evening, women gather at a common place, usually a temple or a community hall, for the puja ceremony. They form a circle and pass around a thali (plate) containing a lighted lamp, water, rice, and other symbolic items. During this ceremony, prayers are offered to the Moon God for the well-being of their husbands.
The fast is broken after spotting the moon. Women offer water to the Moon God, then look at the moon through a sieve or cloth and then look at their husbands through the same sieve.
While the traditional practices of Karva Chauth remain central, contemporary couples may interpret the festival in different ways. Some men also choose to fast alongside their wives to show solidarity, and the festival has become an occasion for couples to express their love and commitment to each other.
#9 Chhath Puja
Chaath Puja is a Hindu festival that is primarily celebrated in North India, especially in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. While it occurs in October, it is based on the lunar calendar and changes each year. In 2023, Chhaath Puja will be celebrated November 17th – November 20th.
Chhath Puja is one of the few Hindu festivals that is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. The Sun is worshiped as the source of life on Earth and as a symbol of energy and divine blessings. It’s celebrated over four days, with each day having specific rituals and significance.
Chhath Puja highlights the close relationship between human beings and nature. The rituals involve the elements of water, sun, and fire, symbolizing the interconnectedness of life.
How do people celebrate Chhath Puja?
Many people fast during the four days of Chhath Puja. There are different ways of fasting and some people may only eat at night or only consume specific foods. Some may even abstain from drinking water during the fasting period.
During Chhath Puja, devotees make offerings to the Sun God, including fruits, sugarcane, and rice cakes (thekua). There are many different ways the holiday is celebrated depending on where you are.
On the third day, Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering), many people offer prayers to the setting sun, asking for blessings and prosperity. On the fourth and final day, Usha Arghya (Morning Offering), people wake up before sunrise and offer prayers to the rising sun.
This post was all about Indian holidays in October.
Happy celebrating!
