SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has released the official holiday list for 2025, which includes significant religious, national, and regional observances but notably excludes Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s birthday and July 13, Martyrs’ Day, as public holidays. Despite earlier indications from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) about restoring these holidays, no progress has been made.
The list of holidays for 2025 includes Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birthday (January 6), Republic Day (January 26), Shab-i-Miraj (January 27), Mahashivratri (February 26), Nauroz (March 21), Shab-i-Qadr (March 27), Jumat-ul-Vida (March 28), Navratra (March 30), Eid-ul-Fitr (March 31), Ramanavami (April 6), Baisakhi (April 13), the Birthday of Dr B.R. Ambedkar (April 14), Buddha Purnima (May 12), Eid-ul-Azha (June 7-8), Guru Hargobind Ji’s Birthday (July 5), Ashoora (July 6), Independence Day (August 15), Janmashtami (August 16), Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (September 5), the Friday following Eid-i-Milad (September 12), the Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji (September 23), Mahanavami (October 1), Dussehra (October 2), Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (October 2), Diwali (October 21), Accession Day (October 26), Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday (November 5), and Christmas Day (December 25). Sheilh’s birthday and Martyrs’ Day were dropped as a public holiday by the Lt Governor’s administration a few years back. JKNC earlier said they have mooted a proposal for restoring the two days as public holidays but it seems to have been caught in the multicentered power structure in Jammu and Kashmir
The holiday calendar for Jammu and Kashmir in 2025 reflects the region’s rich cultural, religious, and historical diversity, with observances spanning across communities. Among the holidays of national and political importance are Republic Day on January 26, Independence Day on August 15, Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday on October 2, and Accession Day on October 26. The calendar also includes the Birthday of Dr B.R. Ambedkar on April 14 and the Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh on September 23, recognising their contributions to the nation’s political fabric.
Holidays specific to the Sikh community include Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birthday on January 6, Guru Hargobind Ji’s Birthday on July 5, and the harvest festival of Baisakhi on April 13. These occasions are deeply rooted in Sikh history and tradition. For the Muslim community, several important days are observed, including Shab-i-Miraj on January 27, Shab-i-Qadr on March 27, Jumat-ul-Vida on March 28, Eid-ul-Fitr on March 31, and Eid-ul-Azha on June 7 and 8. Ashoora, falling on July 6, and Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi, celebrated on September 5 with an additional observance on the following Friday, also feature prominently. Nauroz, a key festival for Shia Muslims, is included on March 21, marking the arrival of spring and the Persian New Year.
Hindu festivals are well-represented, with Mahashivratri on February 26, Navratra on March 30, Ramanavami on April 6, and Janmashtami on August 16. The festive season continues with Mahanavami on October 1, Dussehra on October 2, and Diwali on October 21, showcasing the vibrant celebrations of the community. The Buddhist community’s sacred occasion, Buddha Purnima, is set for May 12, while Christians will observe Christmas on December 25, a day of great significance for the faith.
The inclusion of these holidays underlines the government’s recognition of Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos. However, the absence of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s Birthday and Martyrs’ Day on July 13 remains a notable omission, despite prior indications of their potential restoration.
In addition to the public holidays announced for 2025 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government Order No. 2193-JK(GAD) of 2024 also specifies a list of local and restricted holidays, which vary across regions to cater to specific local customs, religious observances, and cultural events.
Among the local holidays, the Urs of Shah-i-Hamdan Sahib, observed on February 14, and the Urs of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Sahib, celebrated on March 3, are significant events. Other local holidays include Mela Khir Bhawarni on March 18, Mela Bahu Fort on April 18, and Mahavir Jayanti on April 5, all of which are specific to certain areas like Jammu District. Lohri, Shri Guru Ravi Das’s Birthday (February 12), and Holi (March 14) are holidays observed throughout the province.
Restricted holidays, which apply to specific regions, include Good Friday (April 18) for Jammu District, Sarthal Devi Ji Yatra (July 2) in Kishtwar District, Kailash Yatra (July 5) in Tehsil Bhaderwah and Tehsil Bhalla, and the Mela Pat festival (July 29) in the same areas. Additionally, Urs Shah Asrar-ud-Din Sahib is observed on June 21 in the Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban Districts. Other region-specific holidays include Parshuram Jayanti (April 29) and Kabir Jayanti (June 11) for the Jammu Province, along with Urs Shah Farid-ud-Din Sahib (August 30) in Kishtwar District.
