What is the one thing that you look forward to the most in the midst of hectic working days? Which are the dates that you are most likely to mark in your calendars and plan for? For most of you, the answer to these questions will be holidays. If your answer was the same, then this article is for you.

Holidays are some of the most awaited days to take a trip on, go out on, or just relax and rest on. When your everyday life is filled with commitments, deadlines, and a shortage of time, holidays become the days of recreation and rejuvenation that will help you manage your workplace stress and not reach the stage of burnout.

Holidays also help in ensuring that you remain motivated towards your work and that your efficiency and productivity do not get hampered. This, in turn, is beneficial for your establishment or employer, who will see it through increased productivity, increase in net profit ratio, increase in gross profit, healthier financial statement, and business metrics.

Thus, in this article, I will be discussing the Delhi holidays 2022 so that you can go ahead and plan for them in advance. The topics that will be covered are:

• About Delhi
• List of Holidays in Delhi in 2022
• How Can Deskera Help You?
• Key Takeaways
• Related Articles

About Delhi

Delhi is the capital of India and consists of two components: the Old Delhi, which is in the north and forms the historic part of the city; the second component is the New Delhi, which is in the south. In addition to the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the capital of India, which is the nation’s largest urban agglomerations, embraces the surrounding metropolitan regions as well as the adjacent rural areas.

Delhi is not only a symbol of the country’s rich past and thriving present, where the ancient and the modern blend seamlessly together, but it is also an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub and political center of India.

In fact, while the city has been the seat of many powerful empires in the past, which can be traced through its many carefully-preserved monuments, ancient forts and tombs, narrow lanes, old Havelis, and colorful bazaars, this city also boasts of the best features of a modern city, like, metro system, national and international airports, fabulous eating places, bustling markets, residential complexes, sporting facilities, entertainment centers and malls, and brand new hospitals.

Delhi is thus home to millions of dreams, whilst the city and a union territory of India take on unprecedented responsibilities of realizing dreams, bringing people closer together, and inspiring their thoughts. Considering its rich cultural heritage, as well as the endless growth opportunities, holidays are some of the most treasured days by those living and working here. The calendar of Delhi Holidays 2022 will be your perfect guide for the same.

List of Holidays in Delhi in 2022

The list of holidays in Delhi for the year 2022 is as follows:

Republic Day (26th January 2022)

Republic Day is a public holiday and one of the first public holidays to be observed by those in Delhi. On this day, the country marks and celebrates the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950.

The Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India and turned India into a newly formed republic. This day also marked the transition of India from an autonomous Commonwealth realm with the British Monarch as the nominal head of the Indian Dominion to a fully sovereign republic in the Commonwealth of Nations. It was the President of India who now became the nominal head of the Indian Union.

The main celebration of the Republic Day is held in the national capital- New Delhi, at Rajpath before the President of India each year. One of the main highlights of this celebration is the ceremonial parade that takes place and is performed as a tribute to India, its rich cultural heritage and its unity in diversity.

This parade is organized by the Ministry of Defense and starts from the gates of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raisina Hill on Rajpath, past the India Gate, and lasts for three days. The parade showcases India’s Defense Capability and Cultural and Social Heritage.

In addition to nine to twelve different regiments of the Indian Army, along with the Navy and Air Force with their bands, march past in all their finery and official decorations, the twelve contingents of various paramilitary forces of India and police forces also take part in this parade. It is the President of India, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, and who takes the salute.

On the eve of the Republic Day each year, the President of India distributes Padma Awards to the civilians of India. Padma Awards are the second highest civilian awards after the Bharat Ratna and are given in three categories (in decreasing order of importance):

• Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order.
• Padma Shri for distinguished service.

Finally, on the evening of 29th January, after officially denoting the end of Republic Day Festivities, the Beating Retreat ceremony is held. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.

The President of India is the Chief Guest of the function, and thus, once he arrives, the PBG (President’s Bodyguard) Commander asks the unit to give the National Salute, which is followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, by the Army. Some other popular tunes that tend to be played by either of the three bands are Abide With Me and Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite hymn, Saare Jahan Se Achcha, at the end.

Maha Shivratri (1st March, 2022)

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu Festival that is celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva. While in each month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar, there is ‘Shivratri’ - the “night of Shiva” on the day before the new moon, Maha Shivratri - “the Great Night of Shiva” is once a year, in the late winter, before the arrival of Summer.

Maha Shivratri is a solemn festival that marks a remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in life and the world. This festival is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, forgiveness, charity, and the discovery of Shiva.

On this day, ardent devotees stay awake the whole night - “jagraan,” whereas others visit a Shiva Temple or go on pilgrimage to jyotirlingams. Some of the devotees also perform all-day fasting with Vedic or tantric worship of Shiva on this day, while some also perform meditative yoga. Also, offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets, and milk are made to Lord Shiva on this day.

In the Shiva temples, “Om Namah Shivaya,” which is the sacred Panchakshari mantra of Shiva, is chanted throughout the day. Additionally, the devotees also praise Lord Shiva through the recitation of Shiv Chalisa.

This regional holiday is also shared with the state of Haryana in their 2022 calendar of holidays.

Holi (18th March 2022)

Holi is one of the most colorful and favorite festivals amongst Indians and even non-Indians. It is a Hindu festival that has been celebrated since ancient times as a way of welcoming spring. In fact, the festival is also seen as a new beginning where people can release their inhibitions and start fresh. Holi is thus also known as the Festival of Spring, Festival of Colors, and the Festival of Love.

Holi also signifies the triumph of good over evil by celebrating the victory of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu. In addition to celebrating the arrival of spring and the end of the winter, Holi is also a celebration of the blossoming of love.

For many, it is a holiday and a festive day to meet others, play and laugh with them, forget and forgive, and even repair broken relationships. It is also the invocation for a good spring harvest season.

The festival of Holi lasts for a night and a day, with the first evening known as the Holika Dahan or Chhoti Holi, and the following day is known as the Holi or Rangwali Holi or Dol Purnima or Dhuleti or Dhulandi or Ukuli or Manjal Kuli or Yaosang or Shigmo or Phagwah or Tajiri.

In the evening of Holika Dahan, people gather and perform religious rituals in front of the bonfire and pray for their interval evil to be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed in the fire.

The next morning, on the day of the Rangwali Holi, people smear each other with colors and drench each other. Water-filled balloons, water guns, etc., are used to play and color each other. On this day, anyone and everyone is a fair game, stranger or friend, rich or poor, man or woman, children and adults. This celebration can happen anywhere, from open streets, outside buildings or temples, and parks. The groups usually carry drums and other musical instruments with them.

On this day, people go from place to place, playing, singing, and dancing. People also visit family and friends. In fact, oftentimes, even foes come together to leave aside their differences and start anew by smearing color on each other. On this day, everyone laughs and gossips together and shares Holi delicacies, food and drinks.

Mahavir Jayanti (14th April, 2022)

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak or Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism that celebrates the birth of Mahavir - the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of present Avasarpini.

Jainism is practiced by over 3.5 million people. These people follow a path of non-violence toward all living beings. In fact, some even wear face masks to prevent the chance of inadvertently killing an insect while breathing in. This festival is celebrated with splendor across India and the world and is marked with prayers and fasting. It is celebrated by the Jain community to observe peace and harmony and to spread the teachings of the Mahavira.

This regional holiday is given by the state government of West Bengal in their 2022 holiday calendar as well.

Good Friday (15th April 2022)

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It is the Christian holy day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at the Calvary. Good Friday is also known as Great Friday, Holy Friday, Black Friday, and Great and Holy Friday.

This holy day is a crucial day for Christians because it is a celebration of what is believed to be one of the most momentous weekends in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, the Christians have proclaimed that the cross and resurrection of Jesus is the decisive turning point for all creation.

Through fasting, and prayers, on Good Friday, it is remembered how, on this day, Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. This is then followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day on which Jesus was raised from the dead, hence heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith.

Thus, Good Friday is celebrated as it marks the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins. The crucifixion cross is, therefore, where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness.

This regional holiday is also given by the Sikkim Government in their 2022 holiday calendar.

Eid-ul Fitr (3rd May 2022)

Eid-ul Fitr is an Arabic term that means, ‘Holiday of Breaking the Fast.’ It is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam (the other one being Eid al-Adha). This religious holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

Celebrated in the month of Shawwal, Muslims offer special prayers on this day. To do so, they usually congregate in open spaces, which are mostly at mosques, and pray for well-being and progress. Additionally, they also have sumptuous meals and get-togethers to celebrate this day.

Some of the common dishes as a part of this celebration include biryani, pulao, saalan, haleem, kofte, kebabs, nihari, sheer korma, and shahi tukda, phirni, and the ever classic seviyan. Dressing up in new clothes, greeting each other, and showering of gifts on each other is also a part of the celebration.

Considering that it is believed that the Holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan, Muslims consider it as a holy month and hold fast from dawn to dusk during it while also dedicating themselves to praying to Allah. Eid-ul Fitr marks the end of this month, on which the successful completion of Ramadan is celebrated.

The regional holiday of Eid-ul Fitr is also given by the Assam Government in their 2022 holiday calendar.

Buddha Purnima (16th May 2022)

Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is a Buddhist festival that is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautam, later known as Gautam Buddha- the founder of Buddhism.

This day is celebrated each year with great fervor on the full moon day of the Baisakh month (April/May) in India. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Gautam Buddha, who taught about compassion, tolerance, and non-violence.

Buddha Purnima is the biggest day for the Buddhists because it was on this day that it is believed that three important events of the Buddha’s life took place:

• His birth
• His attainment of enlightenment
• His death, Paranirvana

This day is thus known as the Thrice Blessed Festival.

Buddha Purnima is usually celebrated by people visiting the monasteries, offering prayers to the Lord, chanting of the verse, meditation, observation of fast, and lastly, by recalling the teaching of Lord Buddha. On the day of Buddha Purnima, kheer is the most popular prasad made and offered.

The kheer is mainly prepared using rice, milk, sugar, and dry fruits, and is first offered to Lord Buddha, then to the monks, and later it is distributed amongst the family, friends, and those who are less fortunate. Devotees also offer honey, joss sticks, fruits, flowers, and candles. Additionally, devotees also pour water at the base of the Bodhi tree and help the poor.

Bakrid / Id-ul-Zuha (10th July, 2022)

The auspicious festival of Bakrid is one of the most loved festivals of Muslims all across the world. It is celebrated for around three days. The festival is primarily considered as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’ and honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismaeel out of complete obedience to God’s command.

However, before he sacrificed his son, God intervened by sending his angel, who then put a ram in the child’s place. To commemorate this, on this day, an animal (mainly a goat) is sacrificed and then divided into three parts:

• One-third of the share is for the family.
• One-third of the share is given to relatives, neighbors, and friends.
• The remaining one-third of the share is given to the poor and the needy.

Also, wealthy families are expected to provide one animal for the sacrifice; however, if the family is poor, then seven or seventy families can contribute to the sacrifice of one animal.

According to the Islamic calendar, Bakrid falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, or the last month of the lunar Islamic calendar. This is a day of feasting, and visiting with friends and family, and exchanging of greetings of Id Mubarak,