๐ Chapter 09 ยท Topic 01 ยท Festivals of India
National Festivals of India
Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) โ significance, celebrations, and key facts.
๐ฎ๐ณ Three National Festivals
| Festival | Date | Significance | Key Celebrations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January | India became a Republic on 26 January 1950 โ the Constitution came into force | Grand parade at Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), New Delhi; President takes salute; tableaux from states; military display; Chief Guest is a foreign head of state |
| Independence Day | 15 August | India gained independence from British rule on 15 August 1947 | Prime Minister hoists the national flag at Red Fort, Delhi; address to the nation; flag hoisting across the country |
| Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October | Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (born 2 October 1869) | Prayer meetings; tribute at Raj Ghat (Gandhi’s memorial), Delhi; International Day of Non-Violence (UN) |
โญ Republic Day โ Key Facts: India’s Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 (Constitution Day/Samvidhan Divas) but came into force on 26 January 1950 โ chosen to coincide with Purna Swaraj Day (26 January 1930, when the Indian National Congress declared complete independence as its goal). The Republic Day parade is held at Kartavya Path (renamed from Rajpath in 2022). The President of India is the Chief Guest at the parade. A foreign head of state is invited as the Chief Guest.
๐๏ธ Other Important National Days
| Day | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) | 26 November | Constitution adopted by Constituent Assembly (1949) |
| National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) | 31 October | Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875) |
| Children’s Day (Bal Diwas) | 14 November | Birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru (1889) |
| Teachers’ Day | 5 September | Birth anniversary of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (1888) |
| National Science Day | 28 February | C.V. Raman announced the Raman Effect (1928) |
| National Sports Day | 29 August | Birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand (1905) |
| Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Diwas) | 30 January | Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) |
| International Day of Non-Violence | 2 October | Gandhi Jayanti โ declared by UN in 2007 |
๐ Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath): The ceremonial boulevard in New Delhi where the Republic Day parade is held. Renamed from “Rajpath” (King’s Way) to “Kartavya Path” (Duty’s Way) in September 2022 as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. The renaming symbolises a shift from colonial legacy to citizen duty. The parade route runs from Vijay Chowk to the National Stadium. The India Gate war memorial stands on Kartavya Path.
โ Revision Checklist โ National Festivals
โ
Republic Day = 26 January = Constitution came into force (1950)
โ Independence Day = 15 August = independence from British rule (1947)
โ Gandhi Jayanti = 2 October = Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary (1869)
โ Republic Day parade = Kartavya Path (renamed from Rajpath, 2022) = President takes salute
โ Independence Day = PM hoists flag at Red Fort, Delhi
โ Gandhi Jayanti = International Day of Non-Violence (UN, 2007)
โ Constitution Day = 26 November = Constitution adopted (1949)
โ National Unity Day = 31 October = Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary
โ Children’s Day = 14 November = Nehru’s birth anniversary
โ Teachers’ Day = 5 September = Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary
โ National Science Day = 28 February = Raman Effect announced (1928)
โ Independence Day = 15 August = independence from British rule (1947)
โ Gandhi Jayanti = 2 October = Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary (1869)
โ Republic Day parade = Kartavya Path (renamed from Rajpath, 2022) = President takes salute
โ Independence Day = PM hoists flag at Red Fort, Delhi
โ Gandhi Jayanti = International Day of Non-Violence (UN, 2007)
โ Constitution Day = 26 November = Constitution adopted (1949)
โ National Unity Day = 31 October = Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary
โ Children’s Day = 14 November = Nehru’s birth anniversary
โ Teachers’ Day = 5 September = Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary
โ National Science Day = 28 February = Raman Effect announced (1928)