Holidays in January 2020

Holidays in January 2020 bring with them good vibes, positivity and serenity. January is the first month of the year as per the Gregorian Calendar, and contains several significant Indian holidays and festivals observed nationally as well as worldwide. Holidays are something everyone looks forward to, as they give you a chance to relax, spend time with your loved ones and take out time for yourself from the busy schedule. Among January 2020 Holidays, Republic Day, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Basant Panchami are some of the famous and popular events observed nationwide. Apart from that, there are numerous state-relevant holidays included in the January 2020 Holidays list.

January marks the beginning of a New Year and with it brings new challenges, opportunities and festivities. As per Hindu Calendar, the month of January corresponds to the Hindu month of Paush and Magh. The season of Winter flows throughout this month, where people huddle together, prepare warm delicacies and strengthen their personal and societal bond. This page consists of a calendar with a list of Holidays in January 2020. Keep in mind that these dates are subjected to change, and any public announcement or astrological phenomena can be the cause of change in the dates. Hence, keep visiting this page for regular updates.

Below is the table comprising of auspicious festivals and holidays falling in the month of January during the year 2020.

List of Holidays in January 2020

Above is the precise table with January Holidays 2020 mentioned along with their date and day. Now let’s move on and get informed about their significatory observance and how these festivals are celebrated.

January Holidays 2020

New Year

As per Holidays in January 2020, New Year's Day is internationally observed on the first day of January, i.e. 1st January according to the Gregorian Calendar. Countries that follow Gregorian Calendar enjoys a holiday on this day, and in some, the very next day, i.e. 2nd January, is also observed as a New Year's holiday. In India, massive fireworks and processions are carried out, and people of all ages organize get-together to celebrate this day. Youth party hard and celebrate this day as the beginning of new possibilities and heights. Many follow various traditions and exchange wishes and gifts with each other. There is a provision to make New Year Resolution, where people intends to follow a good path and attain new goals, and leave behind all negative traits.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is said to be one of the prominent holidays in January 2020, and will fall on 2nd January. It is a celebrated Sikh festival and commemorates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, who is notably known as a poet, spiritual philosopher, warrior and Sikh master. This day holds high significance in Chandigarh, Haryana and Rajasthan, and sees flocks of people carrying out religious processions and parades, reciting chants and listening to Gobind Singh's poems. One of the most popular holidays in January 2020, Sikhs honour their Guru’s memory and pray for prosperity and happiness at the Gurudwaras.

Delicious dishes, Sharbat and other items are prepared and distributed among the masses. Gurudwaras and houses are brightly lit with lights, and natives remember the preachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Mizoram Missionary Day

Missionary Day has been declared a public holiday in Mizoram and also categorized as a regional holiday as per Holidays in January 2020 list. This day occurs on 11th January and memorializes the arrival of Rev J H Lorrain and Rev F W Savidge, two Welsh Christian missionaries, in the state more than a century ago. It is said that on this day, these two missionaries arrived in Mizoram, called Lushai country at that time, intending to promote and spread the preachings of Christianity. People, on this day, attend the mass and services held at the Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church, both of them being established by these missionaries in the Northern and Southern part of Mizoram respectively. Community feasts are widely organized, and people celebrate this day with great regard.

Lohri

Lohri, one of the prolific January Holidays, falls on 14th January this year, and is primarily celebrated in the Northern region of India. This festival is mainly observed as an official restricted holiday in Punjab and Haryana, and marks the end of the winter solstice. Longer, warmer days are welcomed with the arrival of Lohri, and the farmers celebrate this day as the beginning of a New Financial Year. Natives sing traditional folk songs, perform traditional dance and thank god for a luscious green harvest. People also recite the might of Dulla Bhatti and thank him for his courage and bravery. Children, on this day, collect savouries such as jaggery, popcorn, peanuts, sesame seeds etc. from door-to-door and distribute them at night after burning the bonfire at night. In some regions, kite flying is a popular tradition, and people enjoy traditional feasts together.

Pongal

One of the famous January 2020 Holidays is Pongal, which stretches up to four days and will be observed on 15th January this year. This is a harvest festival observed by Tamil community living worldwide, and marks the beginning of the six-month-long journey made by the Sun in the North. On this day, Lord Sun is worshipped, and the first rice of this harvesting season is boiled and dedicated to the Lord Surya. For four consecutive days, sacred rituals and traditions are carried out and followed, which are mentioned below:

• The First Day: On this day, any useless household items are thrown into a bonfire made of cow dung cakes and wood.
• The Second Day: On the second day, a piece of raw turmeric is tied around the mouth of an earthen pot, and rice is cooked in it mixed with milk. Two sugarcane sticks are vertically placed in the back. People also add jaggery, coconut or banana to enhance the taste of the rice pudding.
• The Third Day: On this day, cows are ritually worshipped and adorned with bells, flower garlands and corn sheaves.
• The Fourth Day: On the last day, a turmeric leaf is placed on the ground, on which sugarcane, rice, coloured rice, betel leaves and nuts are kept and aarti is carried out for the longevity of brothers.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is observed on 15th January this year, and based on Solar Calendar as per Holidays in January 2020 list. This day marks the movement of the planet Sun in the zodiac sign Capricorn and beginning of Spring season. It is believed that post Makar Sankranti, the duration of sunset gets delayed, and the days become longer than nights. From astrological point of view, it is believed that on this day, Lord Sun visits his son, Lord Shani, who rules the Capricorn sign. This is known to be a harvest festival and signifies the fresh harvest of this season. This festival is also popularly celebrated as Uttarayan in Maharashtra and Gujarat, Magh Bihu in Assam and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. On this day, people fly kites, prepare delicious feasts, light bonfires and carry out several religious and cultural activities.

Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti commemorates the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and is observed on the 23rd of January every year. This day is regarded as a regional public holiday in various North-Eastern states of India. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is considered a prominent force during the independence struggle and his ideologies are still regarded as practical and strong among youth. His famous quotes such as “Give Me Your Blood, I Will Give You Freedom”, “Glory to India!” and much more have been immortalized in the heart of India. This is remarkably observed in West Bengal, where numerous cultural events, parades, musical performances etc. are conducted.

Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day

Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day is observed as a public holiday on the 25th of January every year, and marks the attainment of statehood for Himachal Pradesh in the year 1971. As per the historical evidence, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed on December 18th, 1970, after which the new state came into effect on 25th January 1971. Known to be one of the regional holidays in January 2020, Chief Minister hoists the national flag, takes the salute during the march past, and gives out an influencing speech. Several cultural programmes are organized throughout the state, and people celebrate this day with great unity.

Republic Day

Indian Republic Day is a gazetted holiday and falls on 26th January every year. This day honours the active initiation of Constitution of India by replacing the Government of India Act (1935). The very famous Republic Day parade takes place on this day, which starts from the Rashtrapati Bhavan and passes through India Gate, where the main event is organized. This parade exhibits defensive power, social heritage and cultural unity, all in one.

Different regiments of Indian Army, Navy, Para-Military and Airforce showcase their power. The President Of India sits with the Chief Guest, and takes the salute. He offers flowers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, which is followed by a 2-*minute silence honouring the martyrdom of the fallen soldiers. Several dances and tableaux are carried out, which showcases the wide cultural diversity of India.

Basant Panchmi

Basant Panchmi comes under the list of January Holidays in 2020, and is considered a regional and religious holiday is several Indian states. This day falls on the 29th January, and according to the Hindu Calendar, on the Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha in the Magh month. Basant Panchmi marks the beginning of Basant or Spring season, which is celebrated by the masses in their own traditional ways. On this day, Saraswati Puja is widely carried out to attain intellect, knowledge and wisdom. People wear yellow coloured clothes and cook yellow coloured rice as a part of the feast. Reciting Saraswati Stotra enhances the power and effect of Saraswati Puja on this day. Several academic institutions organize puja to seek the blessings of the Goddess.

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