August 2025 Holidays in India – Full List with Festivals

Public Holidays in August 2025

Gazetted Holidays

• 15 August (Friday): Independence Day
• 16 August (Saturday): Janmashtami

Restricted Holidays

• 9 August (Saturday): Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi)
• 15 August (Friday): Parsi New Year, Janmashtami (Smarta)
• 27 August (Wednesday): Ganesh Chaturthi

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Major Festivals and Holidays in August 2025

1. Jhulan Purnima – 8 August

Primarily celebrated in Odisha and West Bengal, Jhulan Purnima honors the divine love of Lord Krishna and Radha. Idols are placed on decorated swings as part of the celebrations. Devotees sing bhajans, offer sweets, and decorate temples, creating a devotional atmosphere during the monsoon.

2. Tendong Lho Rum Faat – 8 August

An ancient Lepcha festival from Sikkim, Tendong Lho Rum Faat commemorates Tendong Hill, which is believed to have saved the Lepcha people from a devastating flood. The festival involves prayers, rituals, and cultural performances dedicated to nature and ancestral spirits.

3. Raksha Bandhan – 9 August

Celebrated by Hindus across India, Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the love between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie rakhis on their brothers' wrists, praying for their well-being, while brothers vow to protect them. Families come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional sweets.

4. Independence Day – 15 August

A national holiday celebrated across India, Independence Day marks the country’s freedom from British colonial rule in 1947. The day is filled with patriotic fervor—flag hoisting, parades, and the Prime Minister’s address from the Red Fort inspire citizens nationwide.

5. Parsi New Year – 16 August

Also known as Navroz, Parsi New Year is celebrated by the Parsi community in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat. The day marks renewal and prosperity, with visits to fire temples, home decorations, and feasting on delicacies such as dhansak and falooda.

6. Janmashtami – 16 August

Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with fasting, devotional songs, and elaborate midnight rituals. In cities like Mathura and Vrindavan, celebrations include dance-dramas (Raslilas) and Dahi Handi events, where young men form pyramids to break pots of curd.

7. Hartalika Teej – 26 August

Celebrated mostly by married women in North and Central India, Hartalika Teej honors the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Women dress in festive attire, observe fasts, and perform rituals praying for a blissful marital life.

8. Ganesh Chaturthi – 27 August

One of the most anticipated Hindu festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad come alive with vibrant processions, community installations of idols, and cultural activities. The festival ends with visarjan (idol immersion), symbolizing spiritual renewal.

9. Nuakhai – 28 August

Nuakhai is a harvest festival celebrated in Odisha. Families offer the first grains of the new harvest to deities, followed by traditional food, music, and dance. It strengthens rural and agrarian community bonds through cultural expression and thanksgiving.

Conclusion

August 2025 is not just a month of national pride but also of spiritual devotion and regional unity. Whether it's the patriotic celebrations of Independence Day or the devotional fervor of Ganesh Chaturthi and Janmashtami, the month captures India’s vibrant cultural essence. Planning holidays during this time allows for a deeper connection with the traditions and values that define the country’s diverse heritage.