There are only three secular holidays which are observed universally/nationally in India, that is Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.

Popular religious festivals include the Hindu festivals of Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Dussehra and the Islamic festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Mawlid an-Nab? which are celebrated throughout the country. In addition, the Sikh festivals such as Guru Nanak Jayanti, the Christian festivals such as Christmas, Good Friday and Jain festivals like Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan are celebrated in certain areas where these religions have a significant following.

List of Popular India Public Holiday Dates for Year 2010

India Republic Day^
26 January 2010

Mahashivratri / Maha Sivaratri
Great Night of Shiva – offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, a Hindu festival
February/March* 2010

Milad-Un-Nabi
Mawlid an-Nab? – Birth of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
26 February 2010

Good Friday
Death of Jesus – Christian holiday
2 April 2010

Easter Monday
Resurrection of Jesus – Christian holiday
5 April 2010

Mahavir Jayanthi
Birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara – the most important religious holiday in Jainism
April* 2010

Buddha Purnima
Vesak Day – Celebrates birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha
28 May 2010

Independence Day^
Celebrates India Independence
15 August 2010

Krishna Janmashtami / Srikrishna Jayanti
Birth of Krishna – a Hindu festival celebrating birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of god Vishnu
August* 2010

Id ul Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr – End of Ramadan, according to Islamic Calendar
10-11 September 2010

Gandhi Jayanti^
Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday
2 October 2010

Dussehra
Vijaya Dashami – Hindu festival
September/October* 2010

Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak’s Birthday – Shik / Sheik Festival
2 November 2010

Deepavali / Diwali
Festival of Lights – a very important Hindu festival
5 November 2010

Idu’l Zuha/Bakrid
Eid al-Adha – Feast of the Sacrifice, according to Islamic Calendar
17 November 2010

Muharram
Islamic New Year
7 December 2010

Christmas Day
Birth of Jesus – one of Christian most important holidays.
25 December 2010

Boxing Day
The day after Christmas
26 December 2010

^Denotes India National Holidays
*Dates to be confirmed