India (Goa) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

School holidays :

Culture :

Banks only :

Banks only : Annual Closing of the Royal Bank of India (RBI)

Muslim, Sufi :

Secular holiday : Commemorates the day in 1947 when India achieved freedom from British rule

School holidays :

Hinduism : During ten days, Hindus must prepare the celebration at home: their house must be cleaned up and purified, in particular at the place where the Ganesh statue wil be put. Those who participate in the procession, end and highlight of this celebration, also prepare their costume. Various religious ceremonies are celebrated. On the tenth day, the celebration culminates. Streets of main cities, especially Mumbaï (Bombay) are the field of extraordinary popular demonstrations. In this day, giant elephant idols are preceded by dancers and musicians.

Hinduism :

School holidays :

Hinduism : Third Onam

Banks only :

Secular holiday : He is the man who played a significant role in achiveing independence for India from the British Empire with his simplicity and strong will power. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as 'Bapu' or 'Father of the nation', was born on the 2nd of October in 1869, in Porbunder, Gujarat. He studied law in U.K and practiced law in South Africa. But he left his profession and returned to India to join the Indian freedom struggle. Gandhiji was a preacher of truth and 'Ahimsa'(non-violence). He started the 'Satyagraha' movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He believed in living a simple life and in 'Swadeshi'. He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of non-violence. Gandhiji is a symbol of peace and truth. www.indiaa2z.com

Hinduism : The victory of Durga on evil forces, the destruction of Vasanas (subjectivity, selfishness, desires...) and the achievement of the deepest Self. Dominance of Saraswati (pure science) over Lakshmi (applied science)

School holidays :

Hinduism : The Light festival starts with festivities. The week celebrates 1.Dhanteras, 2.Kali Chaudas, 3.Deepavali, 4.Navu-Varsha (new year), 5.Bhai-beej. The Vai cast is mainly concerned. May last several days

School holidays :

Banks only : (7 April 1506 – 3 December 1552), was a Navarrese Catholic missionary who was a co-founder of the Society of Jesus. Born in Javier, Kingdom of Navarre (in present-day Spain), he was a companion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who took vows of poverty and chastity at Montmartre, Paris, in 1534.[3] He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time and was influential in evangelization work, most notably in India. The Goa Inquisition was proposed by St. Francis Xavier.[4][5] He also was the first Christian missionary to venture into Japan, Borneo, the Maluku Islands, and other areas. In those areas, struggling to learn the local languages and in the face of opposition, he had less success than he had enjoyed in India. Xavier was about to extend his missionary preaching to China when he died on Shangchuan Island. [Wikipedia]

Banks only :

School holidays :

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.