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

Muslim, Sufi :

Banks only :

Hinduism : An integral part of the Dasara festival (festival of triumph), a Hindu festival. It is also called Astra Puja . In simple terms, it means “Worship of Implements. [Wikipedia]

Banks only :

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)

Secular holiday : One of the most popular and important festival of Orissa. On the full moon day after Dusshera, Kumar Purnima is celebrated by all the unmarried girls & newly married brides in the state. It is believed that girls worship Lord Kartikeya to get grooms as handsome as Lord Kartikeya. [https://eodisha.org]

School holidays :

Hinduism :

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.

School holidays : Https://www.odiaportal.in
State council for technical education and vocational training
https://sambadenglish.com/
Official calendar
Schooling is mandatory till age 14
Teaching languages: Odia, English
schools close on Saturday
school uniforms required

Dates confirmed till Feb 2024 -- heat waves may affect the calendar

Please note that authorities may take last-minute decisions; please double-check if this information is vital to you

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Banks only :

Hinduism : Celebration of the harvest, which is observed for three days: Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal. A colourful and traditional festival with many a ceremony devoted to various deities and cattle races.

Secular holiday : Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945) was an Indian nationalist whose defiant patriotism made him a hero in India, but whose attempt during World War II to rid India of British rule with the help of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan left a troubled legacy. The honorific Netaji (Hindustani: Respected Leader ), first applied in early 1942 to Bose in Germany by the Indian soldiers of the Indische Legion and by the German and Indian officials in the Special Bureau for India in Berlin, was later used throughout India. [Wikipedia]

Secular holiday : It was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the Tri-Colour Flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the Independence Day would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India. The professed pledge was successfully redeemed on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India framed by the Constituent Assembly of India came into force, although the Independence from the British rule was achieved on August 15, 1947. It is because of this that August 15 is celebrated as Independence Day, while January 26 as Republic Day.

Hinduism : Vasant means, the spring season . This is the great spring festival, falling on the fifth day of the month of Magh, the first day of spring. On this day everyone wears a yellow cloth. It represents the ripening of the spring crops. Even the food is coloured yellow by using saffron. Spiritually, the yellow colour is a sign of prosperity; it is the colour of love. On this day we offer special worship to the sun god, to Mother Ganga (the deity of the sacred river Ganges), and Mother Earth. They provide us the means of acquiring food and all that we need to keep alive. We express our gratitude to them by worshipping them. Hindus are ever mindful of the debt they owe to all nature. Worship of nature is extremely important to them.

Culture : Takes place after completion of the most arduous task of Jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning). It is a spring festival celebrated with great fervour and gaiety. Chapchar Kut is estimated to have started in 1450-1700 A.D. in a village called Suaipui. [Wikipedia]

Secular holiday : Commemorates the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution recognizing a major change in the Panchayat Raj system. Decentralization of power is now in the hands of the people by the State Legislatures

Hinduism : A Hindu festival in honor of Lord Shiva and his marriage to Goddess Parvati. Ceremonies involving prayers and hymns take place mostly at night.

Hinduism :

Hinduism :

Catholic or protestant : The First Council of Nicaea (a gathering of bishops in the early days of Christianity) wanted to find a day to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. This commemoration had to be linked to Jewish holiday traditions, since the last supper of Christ was believed to be a Jewish Passover meal. But the Jewish calendar is based on lunar and solar cycles, so the Easter celebration had to follow the same calendar.