How Indian National Holidays Affect Custom Orders in 2024

India is a powerhouse industry for producing event decor and accessories but you should note its workers enjoy national holidays almost every month, thanks in part to its British heritage, and its multi-faith population and their various celebrations.

Here's some dates to note in your calendar when planning your event to avoid unnecessary delays in sourcing quotes, selecting suppliers, arranging samples, ordering products and organising freight. Discover why you need to plan at least three months ahead.

India's Republic Day falls on Friday 26 January 2024, so just like in Australia, they enjoy a long weekend.

While the holy Muslim month of Ramadan isn't a gazetted holiday where employees get paid for time off, it does usually mean they work two hours less per day which means you need to allow more time for your project.

Ramadan begins Tuesday 12 March 2024 and ends at Ramzan Id/Eid-u-Fitar, a national holiday on Thursday 11 April 2024.

Between this period is Holi (pictured, the Hindu festival of colours that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, good harvest, and fertility) on Monday 25 March and Good Friday on Friday 29 March 2024.

Shortly after this, is Rama Navani (the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Rama, considered to be the seventh incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu) and Mahavir Jayanti fall on Wednesday 17 April and Sunday 21 April 2024 respectively.

On Thursday 23 May is Buddha Purnima, a Buddhist festival that marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, followed by the Muslim holiday Bakrid/Eid-ul-Adha on Monday 17 June, and on Wednesday 17 July 2024 is Murhurram, the start of the Islamic year.

Thursday 15 August 2024 will be India's national holiday, Independence Day, on Monday 26 August is Janmashtami, one of the most important Hindu festivals that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu and on Monday 16 September 2024 is Milad-un-Nabi, which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's (or Mohammad's) birthday.

October has several national holidays including Wednesday 2 October for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth on October 2, 1869), Saturday 12 October is Dussehra (a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil) while Thursday 31 October 2024 is Diwali, the festival of lights.

On Friday 15 November 2024 is Guru Nanak Jayanti to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who was the first Guru and the founder of Sikhism, and finally, Christmas Day on Wednesday 25 December 2024.

Enjoyed this? Discover how Australian, US and Chinese holidays affect your custom orders.