Holidays in August 2025: Major festivals and celebrations this month; Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Navroz and more
Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival during the monsoon. People worship snakes, mainly cobras, as divine protectors.
Devotees offer milk, sweets, and prayers to snake idols or live snakes. The festival is linked to stories from the Mahabharata and Shree Krishna.
Jhulan Purnima is a joyful festival celebrating the love of Krishna and Radha. It is marked by swinging rituals that symbolise the cycle of time. It is observed mainly in West Bengal and Odisha.
Devotees decorate swings, sing bhajans and join in prayers. The festival promotes unity, devotion and cultural bonding.
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists, praying for their wellbeing. In return, brothers give gifts and promise lifelong support.
The festival now includes cousins, friends and even community helpers. In 1905, during Bengal's partition, Rabindranath Tagore used Raksha Bandhan to promote Hindu-Muslim brotherhood against the British divide-and-rule policy.
Independence Day marks India's freedom from British rule in 1947. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and the birth of India as a free, democratic nation.
The day unites people of all backgrounds. Flag hoisting, cultural events and patriotic songs inspire responsibility towards the nation.
Navroz, the Parsi New Year, means 'new day' and marks a fresh start for the Parsi community in India. It stands for renewal, hope and spiritual reflection.
Families wear new clothes, pray at fire temples and enjoy traditional food together. People visit relatives, exchange sweets, give to charity and honour their rich Zoroastrian culture.
Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Shree Krishna, believed to be the eighth form of Vishnu. Devotees fast, sing bhajans and pray through the night.
At midnight, baby Krishna's idol is placed in a cradle. The festival marks the victory of good over evil. It includes cultural events like Dahi Handi and Rasa Lila.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day Hindu festival celebrating Shree Ganesha's birth. He is known as the remover of obstacles and god of wisdom, success and new beginnings.
People worship Ganesha with sweets like modak, songs, prayers and decorated idols. The festival ends with idol immersion. It brings all Indian communities together and symbolises cultural unity.
Onam is Kerala's biggest harvest festival, starting on August 26 this year and ending on September 5. It marks the return of King Mahabali, a kind ruler from mythology. People believe his rule brought peace and equality.
Onam also welcomes the harvest season with joy. The festival includes boat races, floral art, folk dances and big feasts.
August 2025 will see many regional and cultural festivals as well. Friendship Day (August 3) is popular among youth and students. Tendong Lho Rum Faat (August 8) in Sikkim honours a hill that saved lives.
Manipur observes Patriots Day (August 13) for its freedom fighters. Hartalika Teej (August 26) is when women pray for marital happiness. It is especially celebrated in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Sikkim.
National Sports Day (August 29) celebrates Dhyan Chand's birthday. Schools generally host sporting activities and competitions.
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credit: canva Raksha Bandhan is more than a festival. It's a sweet ritual of protection, a loving festival celebrated by brothers and sisters. Raksha Bandhan is a reminder of the emotional bonds that hold together families. This year, it will be observed on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This year, the festival falls on a strong planetary conjunction, so it is all the more favorable. If you are going to celebrate it in a traditional and spiritually correct manner, here's everything that you should know, right from timing to rituals to don'ts. When is Raksha Bandhan in 2025? Festival falls on Saturday, August 9, 2025, i.e., Shravana's full moon (Purnima) day. Purnima Tithi starts: Friday, 8 August at 2:12 PM Purnima Tithi concludes: Saturday, 9 August at 1:24 PM Therefore, the most important rituals have to be performed on 9th August morning, before the conclusion of the tithi. Auspicious tithi The most favorable moment for tying of rakhi is from 5:47 AM to 1:24 PM on 9th August. The time interval belongs to the Aparahna phase, which is considered best for this kind of ceremony. Also, there's something called Bhadra Kaal, which is best avoided during any auspicious event. On this day, the Bhadra period ends before sunrise, so you're safe to begin early in the morning. Raksha Bandhan rituals should not be done in Bhadra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Bhadra is an unfavorable period that needs to be avoided for any auspicious activity. Vratraj, along with the majority of Hindu scriptures, suggests avoiding the Bhadra period to tie Rakhi on the Raksha Bandhan festival. Why is this year so special This year, Raksha Bandhan is taking place in a powerful cosmic conjunction with Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga, Saubhagya Yoga, and Shravana Nakshatra present. Astrologers and Vedic experts say that this type of conjunction is extremely rare and may occur once in a hundred years, and is said to double the blessings for any ritual performed on this day. So if you've been feeling like your family or relationships need deeper healing or protection, this is a good year to bring that intention to your Rakhi ceremony. How to celebrate it in a conventional and meaningful way Start with a clean setting Wake up early, bathe, and wash the area where you are going to perform the ritual. Purity of space, mind, and body is essential. Prepare your Rakhi thali Add a diya (lamp), roli (vermilion), rice, sweets, and the rakhi thread. You can add flowers or coconut if you prefer. Perform the ritual within the auspicious window Put the rakhi around your brother's right hand, place a tilak on his forehead, do a small aarti, and give sweets. The brother usually presents a gift and an assurance of protection throughout his life. Raksha Bandhan is not just a cultural tradition. If done with awareness and in awareness, it is a little but potent expression of care and love. In 2025, with such propitious spiritual links, this festival is a time to reaffirm those ties and bring peace, prosperity, and harmony into your household.
