🌸 Major Festivals in India During April 2025: Dates, Significance & Celebrations
India’s cultural tapestry is richly woven with festivals that reflect its diverse traditions and communities. April 2025 is set to be a vibrant month, showcasing a plethora of celebrations across the country—from regional New Years to religious observances. In this guide, we delve into the major festivals, highlighting their dates, significance, customs, and regional variations.
🔱 Key Festivals in April 2025
1. Rama Navami – April 6, 2025 (Sunday)
Significance: Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the 7th avatar of Vishnu.
Celebrations: Ramayana recitations, temple rituals, and chariot processions, especially in Ayodhya and South India.
2. Hanuman Jayanti – April 12, 2025 (Saturday)
Significance: Birth of Lord Hanuman, symbol of devotion, strength, and courage.
Celebrations: Hanuman Chalisa chanting, special pujas, and processions in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
3. Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – April 13, 2025 (Sunday)
Significance: Sikh New Year and the harvest festival, also marks the birth of the Khalsa (1699).
Celebrations: Nagar kirtans, bhangra/gidda dances, and community feasts in Punjab and Haryana.
4. Tamil New Year (Puthandu) – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Marks the beginning of the Tamil calendar year.
Celebrations: Reading of the Panchangam, mango-leaf decorations, Maanga Pachadi, and temple visits.
5. Vishu – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Malayali New Year.
Celebrations: Vishukkani viewing, Vishukkaineetam (gifting money), fireworks, and feasting in Kerala.
6. Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Beginning of the Bengali calendar year.
Celebrations: Prabhat Pheri, cultural shows, decorated shops, and feasts like Panta Bhat and sweets.
7. Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) – April 14–16, 2025 (Mon–Wed)
Significance: Assamese New Year and spring harvest festival.
Celebrations: Traditional Bihu dances, community feasts, and agrarian rituals in Assam.
8. Mahavir Jayanti – April 15, 2025 (Tuesday)
Significance: Birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.
Celebrations: Temple visits, charity, silent processions, and sermons on Jain teachings.
9. Good Friday – April 18, 2025 (Friday)
Significance: Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Celebrations: Church services, fasting, reflection, and the Stations of the Cross.
10. Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025 (Sunday)
Significance: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Celebrations: Church masses, Easter egg hunts, festive family meals, and joyful hymns.
11. Chitra Pournami – April 20, 2025 (Sunday)
Significance: Dedicated to Chitragupta, the celestial record keeper.
Celebrations: Temple visits, fasting, and special rituals for karma cleansing in Tamil Nadu.
12. Gudi Padwa – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Maharashtrian New Year.
Celebrations: Raising the Gudi flag, sweets like Puran Poli, and rangoli decorations.
13. Pana Sankranti (Odia New Year) – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Celebrates the new solar year and the arrival of summer.
Celebrations: Offering Pana (cooling drink), worship at Jagannath temples, and Tulsi rituals.
14. Navreh – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Kashmiri Pandit New Year.
Celebrations: Viewing sacred thali with almanac, rice, coins, flowers; temple visits in Kashmir.
15. Jur Sital – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Mithila New Year in Bihar and Nepal.
Celebrations: Sprinkling water (symbolizing cooling), preparing local dishes, and visiting elders.
16. Cheti Chand – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Sindhi New Year and birth of Jhulelal.
Celebrations: River worship, processions with Jhulelal idol, devotional singing (Baharana Sahib).
17. Sajibu Cheiraoba – April 14, 2025 (Monday)
Significance: Manipuri New Year.
Celebrations: Offering food to ancestors, home feasts, and mountain-climbing rituals.
18. Bisu Parba – April 14–15, 2025
Significance: Tuluva New Year celebrated in Karnataka and northern Kerala.
Celebrations: Ritual bathing, traditional food preparation, and community visits.
📅 Comprehensive Festival Calendar – April 2025
Rama Navami – April 6, 2025
Region: Nationwide (especially Ayodhya)Hanuman Jayanti – April 12, 2025
Region: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra PradeshBaisakhi (Vaisakhi) – April 13, 2025
Region: Punjab, Haryana, ChandigarhTamil New Year (Puthandu) – April 14, 2025
Region: Tamil NaduVishu – April 14, 2025
Region: KeralaPohela Boishakh – April 14, 2025
Region: West Bengal, Tripura, BangladeshBohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu) – April 14–16, 2025
Region: AssamGudi Padwa – April 14, 2025
Region: MaharashtraPana Sankranti – April 14, 2025
Region: OdishaNavreh – April 14, 2025
Region: KashmirJur Sital – April 14, 2025
Region: Bihar (Mithila region), NepalCheti Chand – April 14, 2025
Region: Sindhi CommunitiesSajibu Cheiraoba – April 14, 2025
Region: ManipurBisu Parba – April 14–15, 2025
Region: Tulu Nadu (Karnataka, Kerala)Mahavir Jayanti – April 15, 2025
Region: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jain communitiesGood Friday – April 18, 2025
Region: Nationwide (especially Kerala, Goa, Northeast India)Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025
Region: NationwideChitra Pournami – April 20, 2025
Region: Tamil Nadu
April 2025 will be a month of immense cultural and spiritual significance, marked by festivals that embody the rich diversity of India. From regional New Years to religious observances, each celebration reflects unique traditions and a shared sense of community. Whether you're a traveler, a culture enthusiast, or someone seeking spiritual growth, April is the perfect time to immerse in India’s festive spirit.