List of Holidays in October 2023

We must take a break from our regular and hectic daily lives and rejuvenate ourselves. Holidays allow us to relax and be more productive when we return to work. October, a festive month, comes with many holidays, including Dussehra and Diwali! So start planning your trip, and don't forget to pack your bags for an unforgettable experience.

Public Holidays in October 2023

Did you know October has twelve public holidays? This means plenty of opportunities to take advantage of long weekends and enjoy some time off work. Look no further than this list of the public holidays in October 2023. 

Bank Holidays in October 2023

The bank holidays in October 2023 are tabulated below:

Bank Holiday on Saturdays in October 2023

As per the RBI regulations, every bank in India (scheduled and non-scheduled) will observe a public holiday on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Hence, in accordance with holidays in October 2023, October 8, 2023, and October 22, 2023, will be observed as bank holidays. 

The Significance of Holidays in October

India is a country of many festivals, and there is no dearth of holidays in October 2023. The month starts with the celebration of Dussehra, followed by Diwali and Eid e Milan. Holidays in October 2023 make a special place in the Indian calendar. The significance of the holidays in October 2023 is explained below:

Dussehra

Dussehra is an important Hindu festival celebrated in many parts of India. It marks the end of the nine-day Navratri festival and the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Dussehra is a time for celebration,  joy and a reminder of the importance of the triumph of good over evil. 

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti

Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti is a day of national importance in India to mark the occasion of the great leader's birth. Gandhi was the leading figure of the Indian Independence movement and was revered as the Father of the Nation. On this day, we honour his memory and his legacy.

Diwali

Diwali is a festival of lights that is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. The festival commemorates the victory of good over evil and is a time for rejoicing and celebrating. Diwali is also a time for exchanging gifts and sharing happiness with family and friends.

Eid e Milad

Eid e Milad is a significant event in the Muslim calendar as it marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Eid e Milad is also a time to thank Allah for His blessings and guidance.

Kati Bihu

Kati Bihu, also known as the Kongali Bihu, is celebrated in Assam in October/November at the end of the harvesting season. It is a time of thanksgiving when people pray to the gods for a good harvest. 

Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja is an important Hindu festival celebrated annually to honour the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Her puja is a way of invoking her blessings for a prosperous year ahead. The festival is usually celebrated in October or November.

Govardhan Puja

The cow is a sacred animal in Hinduism and is seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility. On this day, Hindus offer prayers and thanksgiving to the cow for all she has done for them. Furthermore, this is also a day to remember and thank Lord Krishna as the protector of the cow and the Earth.

Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj celebrates the brother-sister relationship. It is celebrated on the second day of the Hindu month of Kartik, typically in November. On this day, sisters perform a special puja for their brothers, and brothers give gifts to their sisters. The festival is also known as Bhau-Beej and Bhai Tika. Bhai Dooj is a day to celebrate this special bond and to express our love and gratitude for our siblings. 

Ningol Chakkouba

Ningol Chakkouba, also known as "the festival of the sisters," is a traditional festival celebrated in Manipur. It is celebrated on the second day of the lunar month to honour the bond between sisters and brothers. The festival is a time for families to unite and celebrate the special bond between siblings.

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shasthi, is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God. It is observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Nepal. The festival is also considered a time of gratitude, as the people of Bihar give thanks for their bountiful harvest.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel Jayanti 

Sardar Vallabhai Patel Jayanti is an annual event commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel. He played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for Independence and is also credited with unifying the diverse and often warring princely states of British India into a single, united nation. The Jayanti is an occasion to remember and celebrate Patel's life and legacy. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the values and principles he espoused, which remain relevant today.