The Kerala state government has officially announced a list of public holidays and restricted holidays. These days of respite are not just a break from the daily grind but also an opportunity for people to celebrate, reflect, and observe various cultural and religious events.
Kerala’s holiday calendar for 2024 brings forth a mix of traditional, cultural, and national celebrations. It’s important to note that four significant holidays are scheduled to fall on Sundays, while two others will land on the second Saturday of the month. Check out the Public Holidays in Kerala 2024 below.
2024 Public Holidays in Kerala
Let’s take a closer look at the holidays month by month, highlighting their significance:
January Holidays
- Mannam Jayanti – January 2, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Celebrated to honor social reformer Mannathu Padmanabhan, this day holds special importance for the community.
- Republic Day – January 26, 2024 (Friday)
- Republic Day is a national holiday observed with great patriotic fervor, marking the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
March Holidays
- Shivaratri – March 8, 2024 (Friday)
- Shivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, with devotees fasting and offering prayers.
- Passover Thursday – March 28, 2024
- Passover is a Christian holiday commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus.
- Good Friday – March 29, 2024
- Good Friday is a Christian holiday marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
April Holidays
- Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramadan) – April 10, 2024 (Wednesday)
- Eid-ul-Fitr, celebrated by Muslims, marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual reflection.
May Holidays
- May Day – May 1, 2024 (Wednesday)
- May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, celebrates the achievements of workers worldwide.
June Holidays
- Eid-ul-Adha (Bakrid) – June 17, 2024 (Monday)
- Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid, is a Muslim festival that commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.
July Holidays
- Muharram – July 16, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Muharram is the Islamic New Year and a day of mourning for Shia Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
August Holidays
- Karkidaka Vavu – August 3, 2024 (Saturday)
- Karkidaka Vavu is a day when people pay homage to their ancestors by offering special rituals.
- Independence Day – August 15, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Independence Day marks India’s freedom from British rule and is celebrated with flag hoisting and patriotic fervor.
- Sri Narayanaguru Jayanti – August 20, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Sri Narayanaguru Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of the social reformer and spiritual leader Sri Narayana Guru.
- Sri Krishna Jayanti – August 26, 2024 (Monday)
- Sri Krishna Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.
- Ayyankali Jayanti – August 28, 2024 (Wednesday)
- Ayyankali Jayanti honors the social reformer Ayyankali, known for his efforts to uplift the oppressed classes.
September Holidays
- 1st Onam (Uthratam) – September 14, 2024 (Second Saturday)
- The first day of the Onam festival, Uthratam, is marked by traditional feasts and cultural performances.
- Tiruvonam – September 15, 2024 (Sunday)
- Tiruvonam is the main day of the Onam festival, filled with grand feasts and colorful celebrations.
- Third Onam (Avittam) – September 16, 2024 (Monday)
- Avittam is another significant day of the Onam festival, with people exchanging gifts and enjoying traditional games.
- Fourth Onam (Chatayam) – September 17, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Chatayam marks the conclusion of the Onam festival, with cultural processions and festivities.
- Sree Narayanaguru Samadhi Day – September 21, 2024 (Saturday)
- Sree Narayanaguru Samadhi Day commemorates the passing of the revered social reformer Sri Narayana Guru.
October Holidays
- Gandhi Jayanti – October 2, 2024 (Wednesday)
- Gandhi Jayanti pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, on his birth anniversary.
- Diwali – October 31, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrated with diyas (lamps), fireworks, and sweets.
December Holidays
- Christmas – December 25, 2024 (Wednesday)
- Christmas is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated with joy and goodwill.
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Holidays Falling on Sundays
- Easter – March 31, 2024
- Easter, a prominent Christian festival, is observed on the last Sunday in March. It’s a day that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Ambedkar Jayanti and Vishu – April 14, 2024
- This unique confluence of Ambedkar Jayanti, which honors the social reformer Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Vishu, the Malayali New Year, is a day of cultural significance.
- Thiruvonam – September 15, 2024
- Thiruvonam marks the grand finale of the Onam festival, one of Kerala’s most celebrated events, showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage.
- Vijayadashami – October 13, 2024
- Also known as Dussehra, Vijayadashami symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is observed with fervor across the nation.
Holidays on the Second Saturday
- First Onam – September 14, 2024
- First Onam, part of the multi-day Onam festival, is a time for feasting and cultural performances.
- Mahanavami – October 12, 2024
- Mahanavami is a day dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga, a central figure in Hindu mythology.
Conclusion
Kerala’s holiday calendar for 2024 offers a diverse array of celebrations, encompassing cultural, religious, and national observances. These holidays provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life
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