List of festivals and bank holidays in October 2023
Festivals in October 2023
Sharad Navratri 2023: Navratri is celebrated twice a year—once in the spring, known as Chaitra Navratri, and again in the autumn, as Sharad or Shardiya Navratri. The latter, Sharad Navratri, unfolds over a span of nine days during the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin, which typically falls between September and October.
This year, Shardiya Navratri is scheduled to commence on Sunday, October 15, 2023, and will culminate in the grand festivities of Dussehra on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
Dussehra 2023: Also known as Vijayadashami, Dussehra marks the triumph of good over evil. In various parts of India, effigies of the demon king Ravana are burned, symbolising the victory of Lord Rama.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated on the tenth day, known as Dashami tithi, of the shukla paksha (bright half) in the Ashwin month of the Hindu calendar. This year, Navratri commences on Sunday, October 15, 2023, and will conclude on October 23, 2023.
Dussehra, a significant culmination of this nine-day festivity, is set to be celebrated on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023. On this day, banks will be closed in certain states, including Tripura, Assam, Manipur, and West Bengal.
Mahalaya 2023: The day of Mahalaya marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the end of Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period of mourning when Hindus pay homage to departed family members through water and food offerings.
Mahalaya is celebrated roughly seven days before Durga Puja. This year it falls on October 14, and banks will also remain closed in certain states, including West Bengal.
Bank holidays in October 2023
October 2: Gandhi Jayanti- National holiday
October 14: Mahalaya- Banks are closed in Kolkata.
October 18: Kati Bihu-
