List of Holidays in October 2024

October is one of the best months to chalk out a vacation without having to take many days off from your work.

 

Read on to know more about the list of public holidays in October 2024 to plan a weekend trip well in advance.

Here is a list of gazetted, restricted, and regional holidays in October 2024:

Here are the bank holidays during October 2024 as notified by the Reserve Bank of India:

The following are the descriptions of each of these public holidays available in October 2024:

• Gandhi Jayanti 

The entire nation celebrates October 2 as a national holiday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. India will celebrate the 155th birth anniversary of the father of the nation in 2024.

• Mahalaya

Mahalaya, literally ‘The Great Abode’, is a Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion in West Bengal and other parts of the country. As per the faith, Goddess Durga begins her journey to descend on Earth for Durga Puja on this auspicious day.

• Durga Puja (Maha Saptami/Mahaashtami/Mahanavami)

These days mark the last three days of the Sharad Navratri. These days fall on the seventh, eighth, and night days of the Sharad month of the Hindu calendar. People worship various forms of ‘Shakti’ to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. 

• Dussehra (Vijayadashami)

Dussehra, also called the Vijayadashami, falls on the tenth day of the Sharad month of the Hindu Calendar. This day commemorates the victory of Lord Ram in a fierce battle against the demon Ravan.  

• Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti

Many states celebrate the birth anniversary of Maharshi Valmiki, the author of the epic Ramayana, who is revered as Adi Kavi, on Ashwin Purnima. 

• Kati Bihu

Also called Kongali Bihu, Assamese people celebrate this festival to mark the relocation of paddy saplings. 

• Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth)

Married women across North India celebrate Karaka Chaturthi on the full moon day of the Krishna Paksha of the Kartik month of the Hindu Calendar. Popularly known as Karva Chauth, married women mark this festival by fasting from dawn to the moonrise.

• Accession Day

Since 2020, the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir has celebrated Accession Day as a public holiday. On October 26, 1947, former Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession to join the Republic of India.

• Diwali (Deepawali)

Diwali, also called the festival of lights, falls on the Amavasya date of the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar. This day marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti

The State of Gujarat celebrates October 31 as the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of our country. The entire nation celebrates this as the National Unity Day to commemorate Sardar Patel’s efforts in building a unified India after independence. 

If you are planning for a vacation in October, these are some of the best places to visit:

• Hampi, Karnataka

One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you can visit Hampi to enjoy the beautifully carved temple architecture of the erstwhile Vijayanagar empire. This town offers many popular attractions, including the Lotus Temple, Krishna Temple, and the majestic Stone Chariot.

• Kutch, Gujarat

The white sand desert stretches of the Rann of Kutch is certainly one of the most popular tourist attractions of Gujarat. In the pleasant weather of October, you can cherish your visits to many desserts, beaches, temples, and more, in the region.

• Agra, Uttar Pradesh

While the Taj Mahal looks beautiful in all seasons, the autumn month of October adds up to its charm. In addition to this white marble tomb, you can also visit the majestic Red Fort and the elegant Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb.

• Mysore, Karnataka

One of the best times to visit Mysore is during the festivities of Vijayadashami. During Mysore Dasara, the city witnesses a grand procession consisting of elephants, horses, and camels.

Here is the list of long weekends in October 2024 when you can plan for a relaxing vacation:

• October 10, 2024 – Thursday - Durga Puja (Maha Saptami)

• October 11, 2024 - Mahaashtami/ Mahanavami 

• October 12, 2024: Dussehra/ Vijayadashami /Durga Puja (Ayudha Puja)

• October 12, 2024: Sunday

 

• October 17, 2024: Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti/Kati Bihu

• October 18, 2024: Take a day off

• October 19, 2024: Saturday

• October 20, 2024: Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth)

 

When planning for a long vacation on a weekend, you must chalk out a budget beforehand. However, if you lack funds for a trip that you deserve, you can avail of a personal loan for your travel expenses on Bajaj Markets.