Major Festivals and Holidays in January 2026
New Delhi, India | January 2026
🎉 New Year’s Day – January 1
The Gregorian New Year is widely celebrated across India, especially in urban centers. Families exchange greetings, make resolutions, and welcome the year with gatherings and festivities, marking the start of a culturally rich month.
🕉️ Paush Putrada Ekadashi – January 5
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this Hindu fast is observed by devotees seeking blessings for children and family prosperity. Observers avoid grains and spend the day in prayer, emphasizing faith and lineage.
📚 Swami Vivekananda Jayanti – January 9
Celebrated with reverence, especially by youth, this day honors the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Schools and institutions host lectures and cultural programs highlighting his teachings on spirituality, nationalism, and self-reliance.
🔥 Lohri – January 13
A major harvest festival in Punjab and North India, Lohri is marked by bonfires, folk songs, traditional dances, and the sharing of sweets made from sesame, jaggery, and peanuts. It symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of longer days.
🌞 Makar Sankranti – January 14
Celebrated nationwide, Makar Sankranti marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara). From kite flying in Gujarat to holy river dips in Uttar Pradesh and til-jaggery sweets in Maharashtra, the festival reflects gratitude for harvests and new beginnings.
🌾 Pongal – January 14–17
Tamil Nadu’s four-day harvest festival honors the Sun God. Families prepare the traditional dish Pongal using rice and milk, offering thanks for agricultural abundance. Each day has distinct rituals celebrating nature, livestock, and community.
🌾 Magh Bihu – January 15
Celebrated in Assam, Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvest season. Communities light bonfires called Meji, enjoy rice delicacies, and participate in traditional games, symbolizing prosperity and unity.
🛕 Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti – January 17
This Sikh festival commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru and founder of the Khalsa. Gurudwaras host special prayers, kirtans, and community meals (langar), honoring his teachings of equality and courage.
🌕 Paush Purnima – January 21
Observed with holy river baths and charitable acts, Paush Purnima is considered spiritually significant. Devotees believe prayers on this full moon day bring blessings and prosperity.
🇮🇳 Republic Day – January 26
One of India’s most important national holidays, Republic Day marks the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. A grand parade in New Delhi showcases India’s military strength and cultural diversity, while flag-hoisting ceremonies take place nationwide.
🌼 Basant Panchami – January 27
Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, this festival marks the arrival of spring. Devotees wear yellow attire, perform prayers for knowledge and wisdom, fly kites in Punjab, and celebrate Saraswati Puja in Bengal.
