With winters still sending you an occasional chill down the spine, February holidays bring warmth and kindness within the environment. With the help of list of Holidays in February 2020, you can easily plan your family vacations or trips with friends or even business travels. Our calendar, which comprises of February 2020 Holidays, has been prepared after carrying out an in-depth research and sieving through different religious and communal calendars.
Let’s move forth and see which days are marked pious and hold high importance. February Holidays 2020 list is provided for your consideration along with added trivial information after the table.
| Date | Day | Festival |
| 8th February | Saturday | Thaipusam |
| 9th February | Sunday | Guru Ravidas Jayanti |
| 14th February | Friday | Lui-Ngai-Ni |
| 19th February | Wednesday | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti |
| 20th February | Thursday | Mizoram State Day, Arunachal State Day |
| 21st February | Friday | Mahashivratri |
Now as you have known the dates for Holidays in February 2020, let us get a quick insight about why these holidays are observed and their significance.
Thaipusam, also called as Thai Poosam (Tamil) and Thai Pooyam (Malayali), falls on 8th February in the year 2020, and is celebrated all over the world by Malayali and Tamil community with great fervour. According to Tamil Panchangam, this festival occurs during the Tamil Solar month Thai and coincides with the Pusam star or Pushya Nakshatra. It is addressed as a national holiday in various states of India as well as countries. As per mythology, it is presumed that on this day, Goddess Parvati granted a spear to Lord Murugan to get rid of Soorapadman, an evil demon.
In Tamil Nadu, this festival lasts up to 10 days, and Brahmotsavam is held at Palani Sri Dhandayuthapani temple. On day before Thai Pusam, Celestial Wedding or Thirukalyanam is conducted. In the city of Madurai, Float Festival or Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Theppotsavam is carried out at Mariamman Theppa Kulam temple. Women on this day carry pots filled with fruits, grains, plants and other things, also called as Kudam in local language, and offer them at the temples.
Guru Ravidas Jayanti commemorates the birthday of Guru Ravidas, a famous poet, spiritual figure and social reformer. One of the significant February 2020 Holidays, it falls on 9th February and is mainly observed in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. According to the Hindu Panchang, this day falls on the Purnima in the month of Magh. On this sacred day, the followers of Ravidassia religion take a holy bath in the rivers, recite the Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji holy book, sing the aarti and carry out a Nagar Kirtan or local procession while holding his portrait. Lakhs of devotees visit the Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, situated at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi and happily celebrate this event. Holiday on Guru Ravidas Jayanti is optional.
Lui Ngai Ni commemorates the beginning of the New Year for Nagas tribe of Manipur, and is regarded as a state holiday. In the year 2020, Lui Ngai Ni will be celebrated on the 14th February as a seed-sowing festival. Several Naga tribes come together and display their cultural legacy by appealing the God for natural, familial and personal prosperity. Natives assemble and perform cultural dances, sing customary songs, and dress up in different ethnic clothing. The purpose of celebrating this day is to appease the Gods and Goddess for luscious yields and human well-being.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, also known as Shivaji Jayanti, commemorates the birth of the great Maratha warrior and emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This festival falls on February 19 and is announced as a public holiday dominantly by the Government of Maharashtra. He was born in the Bhonsle Maratha clan as the son of Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai, and went on to become one of the great Indian warriors of all time. On this day, people reminisce about Shivaji’s great courage, might and tactical approach and preach his teachings. One of the significant February Holidays in 2020, this day marks one of the important events for the natives of Maharashtra.
Arunachal Pradesh achieved its statehood on 20th February 1987, and commemorates their Statehood Day on this date every year. This day marks a state holiday for its natives, and is celebrated with numerous cultural events. On this day, the Governor hoists the national flag, gives out a public speech and gets the royal salute from the Guards of Honour. Adding to it, various prominent awards such as Dorjee Khandu Memorial Award, Chief Minister's Excellence award in Civil Service and other state awards are also rewarded.
As per February Holidays 2020, Mizoram State Day is considered as a public holiday and marks the day when the state became a fully functional 23rd state on February 20, 1987. As per the list of Holidays in February 2020, this day is observed annually on February 20. This day has been declared as a state holiday by the Government of Mizoram. On this very day, huge cultural celebrations and sports meet are carried out by the natives, which marks the prominence of unity, and freedom.
One of the widely celebrated Hindu Holidays in February 2020 is Mahashivratri. North Indian Purnimant Panchang states that this festival is observed on Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) during Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalgun. On the other hand, South Indian Amavasyant Panchangam lists the festival of Mahashivratri to be celebrated on Chaturdashi during Krishna Paksha in the month of Magh. According to the Gregorian Calendar, this festival falls on the 21st February in 2020. Devotees of Lord Shiva The Supreme venerate the master by pouring milk on the Shivling and offering Bel leaves. People fast on this day and chant sacred mantras such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.
Above mentioned are some of the meaningful festivals falling in the month of February. We have mentioned the date and day on which these festivals will be observed, and described why they hold high significance.
We hope that you like this article of ours on Holidays in February 2020. Thankyou for staying connected with us!!!