National and Religious Festivals of India 2025: A Complete Guide to Celebrations

India is known for its vibrant cultures, customs, and endless traditions, many of which correlate with its festivals. Due to its diversity, different parts of the country also have differing sets of national and religious festivals. This further highlights the country’s heritage, which is its unity. These occasions often consist of colourful events, feasting, and other gatherings that promote togetherness and happiness.

As of 2025 Indian society seems to have deep-rooted Festivals and celebrations, let’s look into some.

1. National Celebrations of India

These celebrations endow a strong sense of national pride, a shared history, and unity in diversity. Such national events are celebrated with even greater vigour in various states and sections of society.

Republic Day (January 26)

• What is the importance of this day? The day in 1950 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted.
• Events:
  • Flag hoisting at schools and institutions alongside patriotic recitals
  • The Republic Day parade in New Delhi is a complex display of the military and cultural heritage of India.

Independence Day (15th August)

• What is the importance of this day? In 1947 Indian people were liberated from British rule
• Events:
  • The Prime Minister raises the national flag during a ceremony at the Red Fort.
  • Cultural activities, kite flying and patriotic songs are sung and played everywhere across the country.

Gandhi Jayanti (October 2)

• What is the importance of this day? It is commemorated to honour Mahatma Gandhi, who is referred to as the Father of the Nation.
• Celebrations:
  • Gandhi’s excellence in non-violence and truth was praised through cleanliness campaigns, prayer meetings and other efforts.
  • The Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed it as the Non-Violence Day.

2. Religious Festivals of India

India is home to a wide variety of religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhs, Buddhism, and Jainism, all of which result in festivals that are deeply spiritual.

Diwali (November 1, 2025)

• Importance: The festival of light marks the return of Lord Rama after a stayed 14 years in exile for the return to Ayodhya. 
• Celebrations:
  • Worshipping the Goddess Lakshmi to gain wealth and happiness.
  • Bursting of crackers, Lighting of diyas and decoration of homes with rangolis to celebrate.

Holi (March 17, 2025)

• Importance: Holi is a festival that signifies the arrival of the spring season and also the victory of good over evil.
• Celebrations:
  • Rangeela with colours, bhangra, water balloons and music all over.
  • Sweets like gujiya and thandai are endorsed and eaten.

Navratri and Durga Puja (October 1-9, 2025)

• Importance: Kirk is devoted to Mother Durga, the god who won the battle against the demon.
• Celebrations:
  • Shrines and shared idols in the various regions and the grand Dusshera celebrations.
  • Idol immersion and cultural programs during the Durga Puja celebrations

Janmashtami (August 18, 2025)

• Importance: To mark the day Lord Krishna is believed to have been born.
• Celebrations: 
  • Devotional songs and prayers at midnight and the dramatization of Krishna’s life are done. 
  • Dahi Handi competitions are famous in Maharashtra. 

Eid-ul-Fitr (March 30, 2025)

• Significance: Marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual reflection.
• Celebrations:
  • Special prayers, feasts, and giving zakat (charity).
  • Families gather to enjoy traditional dishes like biryani and sheer korma.

Eid-ul-Adha (June 8, 2025)

• Significance: Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to God.
• Celebrations:
  • Sacrificing animals, distributing meat to the needy, and offering prayers.

Christmas (December 25)

• Significance: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Celebrations:
  • Midnight Mass, decorating Christmas trees, and exchanging gifts.
  • Traditional dishes like plum cake and roast turkey are prepared.

Easter (April 20, 2025)

• Significance: Commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Celebrations:
  • Church services, Easter egg hunts, and family meals.

Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 15, 2025)

• Significance: Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
• Celebrations:
  • Prabhat Pheris (morning processions), kirtans, and Langars (community meals).
  • Illuminated gurdwaras and recitations of Guru Granth Sahib.

Baisakhi (April 14, 2025)

• Significance: Marks the Sikh New Year and the formation of the Khalsa.
• Celebrations:
  • Energetic Bhangra dances, feasts, and fairs.

Buddha Purnima (May 11, 2025)

• Significance: Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Lord Buddha.
• Celebrations:
  • Prayer with sermons and alms-giving at monasteries is carried out.

Mahavir Jayanti (April 10, 2025)

• Significance: Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, being the 24th Jain Tirthankara.
• Celebrations:
  • Holi Processions, prayers and charity performances are held.

3. Seasonal And Harvest Indian Festivals

Pongal (January 15-18, 2025)

• Significance: This is a harvest festival observed in Tamil Nadu in appreciation of the Sun God.
• Celebrations:
  • Making Pongal (a dish of sweetened rice), cow decoration, and traditional dance performances Usually Onam is celebrated in the country of India.

Onam (August 30, 2025)

• Significance: The chief festival of Kerala honours King Mahabali.
• Celebrations:
  • Rangolis (pookalam) is made of flowers, boat racing, and feasting (Onam Sadhya).

Makar Sankranti (January 14, 2025)

• Significance: This marks the day when the sun transits in the zodiac sign Capricorn and it is also known as a harvest festival.
• Celebrations:
  • Flying of kites, feast of Tilgul (a sweet made from sesame), and holy dipping in the rivers.

4. Festivals Different from Others in India

Pushkar Camel Fair (November 2025)

• Significance: Represents a livestock and cultural fair held in the state of Rajasthan.
• Celebrations:
  • Racing of camels, folk shows, and selling of camels.

Hornbill Festival (December 1–10, 2025)

• Significance: A multi-ethnic festival held in Nagaland to celebrate provincial tribal culture.
• Celebrations:
  • Music, dancing, and crafts.

Also Read – Holi in the City Of Love, Agra

Conclusion

National and religious festivals in India epitomize the spirit of oneness in diversity that the country embodies. Every celebration and every festivity exhibits diverse customs which bring people together. Come 2025, adequately these festivals I believe will entice and bolster more for the future of India.

Whether you are a native resident or a tourist, being part of these grand celebrations in India is a window into the country’s deep-seated ethnicity.