May 2024 India Calendar: Special Days, Full List of National Holidays and International Events

The Indian public holiday schedule is broken down into three categories, as is customary: Gazetted, Restricted, and State and Union Territory.

For many foreign HR managers, the Indian holiday schedule poses difficulties. That should not be surprising considering that the 36 different states and union territories are home to over 1.3 billion people, for whom the federal and state governments have declared multiple holidays each month.

While there are many approaches to manage this schedule, most Indian firms offer between 10 and 14 public holidays. All depends on the states in issue, industry norms, and past operations of the company.

But companies that do business with federal and state governments must be aware of their unique holiday schedules. According to reports, for example, Delhi, the National Capital Territory, will have eighteen gazetted holidays in 2024. Extra 33 days are set aside as restricted holidays (days off from work).

Together with one public holiday, May offers four optional holidays. May 2024 will see one bank holiday.

May 2024 India Calendar: Special Days, Full List of National and International Events

May 2024 Calendar: Special Days, National and International Events Happening in India

May 1 - May Day

Every year on May 1st, May Day is observed. It is akin to International Workers' Day, which is observed globally to mark the beginning of the labor movement.

The origins of May Day/Labor Day can be traced to Chicago, USA, in 1886, when a mass gathering turned violent amid a general strike for an eight-hour workday. Numerous people were killed or injured when a bomb was thrown into the crowd and police started shooting.

A global movement started during the following few years, with riots and protests taking place on May Day every year. "All Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on May First for the legal establishment of the eight-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace," was the call made by the International Socialist Conference, which convened in Amsterdam in 1904.

The first Labour Day, also known as May Day, was observed in Chennai in 1923. In contemporary India, political leaders deliver speeches, organizations and trade unions host pageants, and kids compete to teach them the value of worker justice.

May 1 - Maharashtra Day

Every year on May 1st, Maharashtra Day is observed to commemorate the day that the Bombay Reorganisation Act of 1960 led to the creation of the state of Maharashtra.

By virtue of the Bombay Reorganisation Act, Bombay State was renamed Gujarat and its territory was divided into the new state of Maharashtra. This was carried out to improve the outcomes of the 1956 States Reorganization Act and based on linguistic considerations.

Every year on May 1, which is Maharashtra Day, the state government of Maharashtra publishes an official notification. On this day, liquor sales are prohibited and workers and students are given a day off.

The state governor delivers a significant speech during a large procession in Shivaji Park. In addition to private celebrations held in people's homes, there are official ceremonies, parades, and events. Last but not least, Maharashtra Day marks the beginning of both new government and private sector initiatives as well as the anniversary of the projects from the previous year.

May 1 - Gujarat Day

Gujarat is commemorating its creation day on Monday, May 1. The state was split off as a distinct entity in 1960 after Bombay, the previous state, was divided linguistically. Maharashtra was also established on the same day to meet the demands of the Marathi-speaking populace. The Bombay Reorganization Act of 1960 created the two states. The statehood foundation days have been observed with great fervor and enthusiasm ever since. As part of the government's initiative to celebrate the nation's cultural diversity and various traditions, the governor houses in both states will host events to commemorate the occasion this year for the first time.

May 4 - Vallabhacharya Jayanti

The Pushti sect was established in India by the devotional philosopher Shri Vallabhacharya (1479–1531). Lord Krishna was adored by Shri Vallabhacharya. He revered Lord Krishna as Shrinathji. Another name for him is Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya.

In 1479 A.D., Vallabhacharya was born in Kashi, which is now Varanasi, India. He came from a family of Telugu Brahmins. As per the Purnimant lunar calendar, which is prevalent in North India, he was born on Krishna Paksha Ekadashi in the month of Vaishakha. He was born in the month of Chaitra on Krishna Paksha Ekadashi, according to the Amanta lunar calendar. It is simply the name of the month that is different in the two calendars, and the day of Shri Vallabhacharya's birth is celebrated on the same day.

May 7 - Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Rabindra Jayanti will be observed. Celebrated on this day in history, the writer, poet, philosopher, social reformer, and first-ever Indian Nobel laureate was born. Her work has inspired generations with its timeless beauty, universal themes, and profound insights.

Since Rabindra Jayanti is a public holiday in West Bengal, banks and schools are closed on this day. Rabindranath Tagore will celebrate his 163rd birthday in 2024.

Not only does India commemorate Rabindranath Tagore's birthday, but Bengalis worldwide also do.

Many cultural events are held in his honor. Tagore is taught to kids so they can learn more about the poet and his outstanding works of literature. On this day, plays, songs, dance dramas (based on Rabindrasangeet), and poems—all written and composed by Tagore himself—are organized by educational institutions, universities, theaters, and workplaces.

The people of West Bengal celebrate this day as 'Pochishebaishak'. To commemorate Tagore's memory, large-scale festivities, cultural events, and activities are held from dawn till dusk in his ancestral homes in Jorasanko Thakurbari, Rabindra Sadan, and Shantiniketan in Birbhum.

May 8 - Guru Rabindranath Jayanti

Rabindra Nath Tagore's birth anniversary is one of the most joyous occasions of the year in West Bengal and Tripura. This also holds true for Bengalis living all over the world and for Bangladesh, their neighbor.

The public holiday known as Guru Rabindranath Jayanti honors the life, contributions, and legacy of the renowned Indian poet, philosopher, musician, and teacher Rabinda Nath. The festival is held on the 25th of Baisakh in Bengali calendar, which, depending on the year, could coincide with or be close to May 7th in Gregorian calendar.

Guru Rabindranath passed away in 1941, having been born on May 7, 1861. Even as a young child, he preferred to study at home with his father and brothers, even though he came from a wealthy family. Even at 17, when he was sent to study overseas, he ultimately decided to return home and quit early.

However, Rabindra Nath's writings in India, including his autobiography, plays, essays, short stories, poems, and songs, helped to close the gap between Indian and Western ideas. In actuality, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.

Guru Rabindranath Jayanti is celebrated in West Bengal and across India with cultural shows and a variety of educational and entertaining events centered around the life and works of Rabindra Nath.

May 10 - Parashuram Jayanti

Parshurama Jayanti is observed on the anniversary of Parashurama's birth. Parshurama was Lord Vishnu's sixth incarnation. It takes place in the month of Vaishakh on Tritiya, the third day of the Shukla Paksha. Akshaya Tritiya, another name for this day, is regarded as a good day to begin or carry out any auspicious task. It was thought that doing a puja on this day would yield 100 times more results than doing so on any other day, and this also applied to donations of any kind.

Parashurma arrived to eliminate all forms of evil and to destroy the burden on Earth. It is well known that everyone benefits greatly from fasting on this day. This day is joyfully and happily observed throughout India as it signifies the beginning of the Golden Age of Hindu culture. On Parashurama Jayanti, there are numerous donations and Brahmin feasts.

In contrast to Lord Rama and Krishna, Parashurama is not worshipped and is thought to be still alive. There are a few temples on India's western coast, and there is one sacred site in Pajaka where a temple honors Parashurama. It's well known that people wait for Akshaya Trithiya to launch any new projects each year.

May 10 - Akshaya Tritiya

In India, Jains and Hindus alike celebrate the auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya. Akshaya Tritiya is a festival that invokes luck, wealth, and prosperity. It is regarded as auspicious for the success of any undertaking. Celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Tritiya of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akti or Akha Teej. Therefore, Akshaya Tritiya typically occurs in April or May according to the Gregorian Calendar.

On the third day of the Shukla paksha in the Indian month of Vaisakh, people celebrate Akshaya Tritiya. This occurs in April or May based on the Gregorian calendar. The Sun and the moon are said to be at their planetary best on this day. Another name for this day is 'Akha Teej'.

May 12 - Shree Shankaracharya Jayanti

Shankara Jayanthi is the celebration of Sri Adi Shankaracharya's birthday. Sri Adi Shankara is regarded as the greatest Guru (Jagad Guru) and an incarnation of Lord Shiva. By promoting discernment and establishing the worship of Deities as various manifestations of the One God, he purified Vedic knowledge.

On the anniversary of the philosopher and Indian guru Adi Shankara's birth, people celebrate Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti. Adi Shankara was born in the Keralan town of Kalady in 788 C.E. and vanished at the young age of 32 in 820 C.E.

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti, which falls between April and May, is celebrated on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of the Vaishakha month. Consolidating Advaita Vedanata (अद्वैत वेदान्त) doctrine, Shankaracharya brought it back to life during a period of decline in Hindu culture.

May 12 - Surdas Jayanti

To honor the birth anniversary of the well-known poet Surdas, who was well-known for his songs and poetry, people celebrate Surdas Jayanti. Surdas's birth year is thought to have been 1478. He had a strong devotion to Lord Krishna. For Hindus, this is a very important day.

Due to his birth defect, Surdas experienced neglect from his family. Consequently, at the tender age of six, he fled his home and began worshiping Lord Krishna.

Historians claim that Sant Surdas was born in the Haryanan village of Sihi in 1478 C.E. But according to some, he was born in Runkta, which is close to Agra. The Hindu lunar calendar is used to commemorate Sant Surdas' birth anniversary, which falls on Shukla Paksha, Panchami in the month of Vaishakha.

Surdas won numerous awards for his exquisite poetry and music. Akbar, the Mughal emperor, became his patron as his fame grew. During his final years, Surdas resided in Braj and subsisted on donations obtained in exchange for his religious lectures and Bhajan singing.

May 12 - Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a time to show our mothers—the amazing women who have had a significant influence on our lives—our love, respect, and gratitude. This wonderful day strengthens the relationship between kids and their moms, no matter how old they are, as people celebrate the commitment, selflessness, and unwavering love these amazing people give to them. The essence of the celebration is realizing how important mothers are in forming our lives and appreciating all the ways they have shaped our development on an emotional, moral, and cultural level.

Mother's Day was first observed in the early 20th century by American social activist Anna Jarvis as a tribute to her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis. Jarvis, who was a strong supporter of maternal love, imagined this day as a private celebration in which kids honor their moms with handwritten notes and white carnations, which stand for virtue, purity, and the sweetness of a mother's love. As the custom gained global traction, it took on diverse manifestations and implications, including the inclusion of grandmothers, aunts, and foster mothers in the festivities.

In India, we celebrate Mother's Day by expressing our sincere love and gratitude to the women who have a special place in our hearts and lives. Every year on the second Sunday in May, people celebrate Mother's Day.

May 19 - Pentecost

Fifty days after Easter is when Christians celebrate Pentecost, also called Whitsunday.

Its roots are in the Jewish tradition of the Festival of Weeks, but it also honors the moment Jesus ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit descended upon his Apostles.

Red is the primary color associated with Pentecost. This color is used to decorate altars, and priests wear matching vestments. The color red represents joy as well as the Holy Spirit's fiery tongues.

Numerous people get baptized during Pentecost, a custom that originated from the fact that many people became Christians following the first Pentecost.

May 23 - Buddha Purnima/Vesak (Gazetted Holiday)

Vesak Festival

Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, or Vesak, is one of the most important Buddhist holidays. The birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautam Buddha are all commemorated on this auspicious day. For those who practice Buddhism, this day has great religious significance because it honors three important occasions in the life of Gautama Buddha.

Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha's birthday, is celebrated on the full moon day, Tithi of Shukla Paksha Purnima, in the traditional Hindu month of Vaisakh, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of April through May.

Regardless of one's beliefs, everyone in India celebrates Buddha Purnima with the same love and devotion towards Gautama Buddha. Additionally, the neighboring nations of Nepal and Sri Lanka also observe Buddha Purnima celebrations.

May 24 - Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti

A public holiday in the Bengali-speaking state of Tripura is Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti. The renowned "rebel poet" from Bengal, Kazi Nazrul Islam, was born on this day. Every year on May 24, the day Nazrul was born back in 1899, there is a holiday observed.

Kazi Nazrul Islam was a revolutionary and a poet. Having grown up in British India, he publicly supported the independence movement in his writings. The government frequently imprisoned him for this, but he didn't stop writing. While incarcerated, he wrote the well-known Deposition of a Political Prisoner.

Nazrul was a prolific writer who fundamentally altered Bengali poetry's form, breaking with the conventional approach that had been prevalent since the Middle Ages. He is highly regarded in Bangladesh as well as the Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura, where he is known as a "social justice warrior."

May 2024 Hindu Festival & Holidays

May 2024 State and Union Observance Calendars

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