Holidays in West Bengal in 2025

Overview of West Bengal Holidays 2025

Every year on January 12, West Bengal celebrates the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's birth. Vasant Panchami and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti are also celebrated in the same month. Holi Dahan will be celebrated in March 2025. In addition to celebrating Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, April commemorates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's birth anniversary, the man who drafted the Indian Constitution.

There will be a significant Islamic holiday called Muharram in July. At the end of the year, West Bengal commemorates two of the most important Hindu holidays in India, Vijay Dashami and Diwali. Christmas, the most important Christian holiday of the year, is observed on December 25 and marks the end of the festive calendar.

Major Festivals Celebrated in West Bengal

Known for its deep-rooted cultural legacy and spirited celebrations, West Bengal observes a wide array of festivals that reflect the state's diversity and traditions. These events form an essential part of the West Bengal holiday calendar, drawing participation from communities across the region. Some of the key festivals include:

• Durga Puja
  The most iconic and widely celebrated festival in West Bengal, Durga Puja spans five days of vibrant festivities with beautifully decorated pandals, cultural programs, and community gatherings.
• Kali Puja
  Held soon after Durga Puja, this festival is dedicated to Goddess Kali and is marked by deep devotion and elaborate rituals throughout the state.
• Saraswati Puja
  Celebrated in honour of the goddess of wisdom and learning, this festival holds special importance in educational institutions and households alike.
• Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year)
  Marking the start of the Bangla calendar, Poila Boishakh is welcomed with traditional food, festive processions, and people dressed in ethnic attire.
• Eid-ul-Fitr & Eid-ul-Adha
  Observed with great enthusiasm by the Muslim community, these festivals are state-recognised holidays and highlight the region's cultural harmony.
• Christmas
  Celebrated most vibrantly in Kolkata, especially around Park Street, Christmas adds a festive charm to the year-end celebrations.
• Rath Yatra
  Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, this festival features colourful chariot processions, particularly in ISKCON temples and tribal regions of the state.

Regional Holidays Specific to West Bengal

In addition to the national public holidays, West Bengal also celebrates a wide range of regional holidays that are characteristic of the state's diverse cultural heritage and historical background. The holidays have a profound connection to local customs, legendary figures, and community-specific traditions:

• Rabindra Jayanti
  Observed on the 25th of the Bengali month Boishakh, this day celebrates the work of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the form of recitation of his poetry, cultural activities, and music tributes.
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
  Observed on January 23rd, this national holiday celebrates the birthday of the revolutionary leader and Bengal's national hero.
• Poila Boishakh
  Colorful festivity signaling the beginning of the Bengali year, celebrated with traditional "Haal Khata" ceremonies in stores, celebratory attire, and communal banquets.
• Jamai Shasthi
  A very Bengali festivity of the union of sons-in-law and their in-laws, commemorated with sumptuous feasts and affectionate familial gestures.
• Chhath Puja
  While it is mostly celebrated in Bihar, the festival is kept by migrant communities in West Bengal, especially those areas bordering Bihar and Jharkhand.
• Hul Diwas
  Celebrated in tribal regions like Purulia and Bankura, this day marks the Santhal rebellion against British colonialism.