Updated January 21, 2023
Public Holidays in August 2023
The summer vacation period is coming to an end this month. Although there are many significant holidays in August 2023, some individuals believe August is a full-on fun period of weeks, with some holidays dropping like candies during the festive season. There are numerous holidays and special days in August to commemorate and enjoy. This month features at least two national festivals and other prominent days. Are all of them able to fit into your schedule? In all likelihood, yes. The following festivals’ dates and names are listed below.
List of Holidays in August 2023
Date and Day | Occasion | Regions Where Celebrated |
8 August 2023, Tuesday | Tendong Lho Rum Faat | Sikkim |
15 August 2023, Tuesday | Independence Day | Across India |
16 August 2023, Wednesday | Parsi New Year | Numerous States across India |
28 August 2023, Monday | Onam | Kerela |
29 August 2023, Tuesday | Thiruvonam | Kerela |
30 August 2023, Wednesday | Raksha Bandhan | Numerous States across India |
30 August 2023, Wednesday | Jhulan Purnima | Odisha |
Detailed Description of Festival Holidays
#1 Tendong Lho Rum Faat
One of the most significant festivals in Sikkim is Tendong Lho Rum Faat. Prayers are said to Mount Tendong as part of the multiple events. Nine stones were in use to create a replica of the worshipped mountain. People dance and sing while wearing masks to elicit blessings. The Lepcha tribe attaches particular importance to the occasion.
#2 Independence Day
Independence Day is a federal holiday that honors the nation’s liberation from British domination. Various events are around the country, with the most significant celebration currently happening at Red Fort in New Delhi. The national flag is a festival component; patriotic events and freedom fighters who gave their lives for their cause were honored. The country’s prime minister addressed the nation, reporting on the year’s accomplishments and providing a glimpse into the country’s future intentions.
#3 Parsi New Year
The Iranian calendar year begins on this day, which is known as the Parsi New Year. The day, also known as Jamshed-i-Nouraz, is enthusiastically observed. Members from the Parsi community decorate their homes and do new traditional attire on this day. People go to fire temples to pray for prosperity and seek atonement for their sins. The celebrations include preparing traditional Parsi foods like sugary sev dahi, dhansak, etc.
#4 Onam
Kerala celebrates Onam as a harvest festival. It commemorates the return of King Mahabali, a fictitious ruler of Kerala who was renowned for his generosity toward his subjects and who, according to legend, was banished to the underground after Lord Vamana requested 3 feet of land as well as the king decided to offer oneself for the third foot after the God had already measured the entire galaxy in his initial two feet.
#5 Thiruvonam
Thiru Onam, also known as the Tiru Onam, is the tenth and most significant day of the Onam celebrations. It is so named because this day constitutes the most important of all for the residents of Kerala. Lord Mahabali is known to visit his people on the ninth day. Extensive preparations are required to commemorate Thiru Onam in the most elegant manner possible. People offer special prayers early in the day to enlist divine favors. Women tidy up the home and add flowers to the flower mats in the front courtyard. It is to welcome the mythical king’s soul, who is so beloved by his subjects even centuries after his glorious reign.
#6 Raksha Bandhan
This holiday celebrates the bond between brother and sister. In front of the family on the festival day, a sister binds a rakhi around her brother’s wrist. In exchange, the brother vows to look after his sister and give her unique gifts. Raksha Bandhan has its origins in the time of the Gods and Goddesses. A well-known myth claims that Draupadi put a cloth around Lord Krishna’s wrist when he injured his finger while battling the demon Lord Shishupal. Krishna pledged to defend her in return.
#7 Jhulan Purnima
Another significant holiday is this one for Krishna devotees. The event honors the bond between Radha and Krishna and the romantic ardor of the monsoon season. Radha and Krishna idols are decorated for the celebration and hung from an elaborate swing. People go to temples and swing the gods while the priests recite kirtans and bhajans. On this day, temples perform special aartis.