India (Sikkim) : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

School holidays :

Banks only :

Banks only : Annual Closing of the Royal Bank of India (RBI)

Secular holiday : Anniversary of Nepali Litterateur Bhanu Acharya

Culture : It marks the day on which Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths to his first five disciples in the Deer Park at Sarnath, more than 2500 years ago

Secular holiday : Festival of the Lepcha people of north-east India. The festival occurs usually in the month of August. According to Lepcha belief, their ancestors went atop the Tendong Mountain to escape from 40 days and 40 nights of continuous rain. This festival commemorates that happening [Wikipedia]

Secular holiday : Commemorates the day in 1947 when India achieved freedom from British rule

Hinduism : Hindu celebration of the birthday of Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Sweets, fruits and milk products are available in abundance. Sri or Shree: A prefix denoting auspiciousness

Hinduism : Teej, Hartalika. On this day Goddess Parvati is worshipped. Women, married and unmarried, mainly of Khas ethnicity, assemble at one place, in their finest attire and start dancing and singing devotional songs. Amidst all this, the grand feast takes place. The jollity often goes on till midnight, after which the 24hour fast starts. observed by women only

Buddhism (Theravada) : The celebrations consist of two events, Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra. Indra Jatra is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images and tableaus in honor of the deity Indra, the king of heaven. Kumari Jatra is the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari.

Culture : In this festival dedicated to Mt. Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim and to Yabdu, the supreme commander of Mount Khangchendzonga. It is staged in front of the Tsuklakhang monastery in the former palace compound in Gangtok

Banks only :

Secular holiday : He is the man who played a significant role in achiveing independence for India from the British Empire with his simplicity and strong will power. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as 'Bapu' or 'Father of the nation', was born on the 2nd of October in 1869, in Porbunder, Gujarat. He studied law in U.K and practiced law in South Africa. But he left his profession and returned to India to join the Indian freedom struggle. Gandhiji was a preacher of truth and 'Ahimsa'(non-violence). He started the 'Satyagraha' movement for the Indian freedom struggle. He believed in living a simple life and in 'Swadeshi'. He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of non-violence. Gandhiji is a symbol of peace and truth. www.indiaa2z.com

Hinduism : On the tenth day of Dashian, Dashami, the eldest of the family will give tika to all others. Parents will do this for their children and married children will visit their parents for this occasion.

School holidays :

Hinduism : An integral part of the Dasara festival (festival of triumph), a Hindu festival. It is also called Astra Puja . In simple terms, it means “Worship of Implements. [Wikipedia]

Hinduism : The third day of the Tihar Festival of Lights is called Laxmi puja . This is the day when Nepalis worship the goddess of wealth. On this day, early in the morning the cow is worshipped. Tika is put on her head and a garland around her neck, and then she feasts with delicious food. A cow also symbolises wealth and she is the most holy animal for Hindus.

Hinduism : The victory of Durga on evil forces, the destruction of Vasanas (subjectivity, selfishness, desires...) and the achievement of the deepest Self. Dominance of Saraswati (pure science) over Lakshmi (applied science)

School holidays :

Hinduism : The Light festival starts with festivities. The week celebrates 1.Dhanteras, 2.Kali Chaudas, 3.Deepavali, 4.Navu-Varsha (new year), 5.Bhai-beej. The Vai cast is mainly concerned. May last several days

Hinduism : Called Bhaubeej in India, this is a Bhai Bij legend in Hindu mythology: after slaying Narkasur, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She also affectionately applied tilak on Krishna's forehead. Since then the custom of celebrating Bhaubeej or Bhai Bij started. Carrying forward the Bhaubeej ceremony in traditional style, sisters' perform arti of their brother and apply a red tika on the brother's forehead. This teeka ceremony, on the occasion of Bhai Bij signifies sister's sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother. In return brothers bless their sisters and treat them with Bhaubeej or cash gifts. (Wikipedia)

Buddhism (Theravada) : Celebration of his return to earth from heaven. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, and his mother expired after seven days. At the age of 41, he ascended to heaven to preach to his mother. Nuns and monks and king Zug Chen Nyingpo were worried because they did not know where hewas. His disciple, the clairvoyant Sharibu, had a vision of the lord to be in heaven. Another disciple of Lord Buddha, Mao gyel ge bu, who was known to possess miraculous powers, ascended to heaven and requested Buddha to return to earth. He agreed to descend.

Culture :

Culture : Observed by the Limboo Community in Sikkim, Teyongsi Sirijunga Sawan Tongnam, marks the birth anniversary of the famous 18th century scholar Teyongsi Sirijunga, who is greatly remembered for his legendary role as a revivalist of the Limboo’s age old traditional legacy in the state. The festival is one of the most significant for these native tribes, who celebrate it every year with great zeal and passion.

Culture :

School holidays :

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Banks only :

Secular holiday : Marks the beginning of the Tamu Sambat or Gurung Calendar Year