September marks the end of monsoon making it a great time to plan a vacation. Since there are several holidays in this month, you can easily plan your leaves and trip accordingly. It is also the month when the festivals start in India.
Here is a list of gazetted, restricted, and regional holidays in September 2024:
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Celebrated in |
4th September 2024 |
Wednesday |
Janmostav of Srimanta Shankardev |
Assam |
7th September 2024 |
Saturday |
Saṃvatsari/ Ganesh Chaturthi |
Gujarat / Across India |
8th September 2024 |
Sunday |
Nuakhai |
Odisha |
13th September 2024 |
Friday |
Ramdev Jayanti / Teja Dashmi |
Rajasthan |
14th September 2024 |
Saturday |
Karam |
Jharkhand |
15th September 2024 |
Thursday |
Onam |
Kerala |
16th September 2024 |
Monday |
Milad-un-Nabi/ Eid-e-Milad |
Across India |
21st September 2024 |
Saturday |
Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi |
Kerala |
In addition to the public holidays, here are the bank holidays in September:
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Celebrated in |
7th September 2024 |
Saturday |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
Various states |
14th September 2024 |
Saturday |
2nd Saturday |
All States |
15th September 2024 |
Sunday |
Onam |
Kerala |
16th September 2024 |
Monday |
Milad-un-Nabi / Eid-e-Milad |
Various states |
21st September 2024 |
Saturday |
4th Saturday |
All States |
Mahapurusha Srimanta Shankardeva was an Assamese Saint scholar credited as the father of Assamese culture. People across Assam commemorate his birthday to celebrate his legacy towards Assam's social and cultural development.
Also called Thiruvonam, this is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, a celebration which goes on for 10 days. During these days, people sing folk songs, decorate their houses with flower rangolis, dance and prepare delicacies. Boat races are also a common activity during the celebrations.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates Lord Ganesh’s birthday. Many people start new things on this auspicious day as Lord Ganesh is the remover of hurdles. The day also marks the start of a 10-day Ganesh festival celebrated with great fervour across India, primarily in Maharashtra.
This regional festival of Odisha falls on the fifth day (pancham tithi) of lunar fortnight of Bhadrapada month. On this day, the rice crops are harvested and offered to Goddess Samaleswari. After that, people make Arisa pitha or traditional rice cakes, using harvested rice.
Ramdev Jayanti and Teja Dashmi are Rajasthani festivals whose roots go back to the folklore of Rajasthan. Ramdev Jayanti is a festival dedicated to Baba Ramdev, who worked towards social causes and welfare. Similarly, Teja Dashmi commemorates Veer Teja, who was believed to be one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva.
On the 11th day of Bhadra, many communities celebrate the Karam Festival to pray to Karam Devta. Tribals in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, among others, primarily celebrate this festival. In their prayers, people seek blessings for a good harvest.
This Islamic holiday is an important festival for Muslims worldwide as this day marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. People celebrate this day with early prayers and reading verses from the Quran to honour the prophet.
September is a great time to visit India, as it marks the transition from the monsoon to the beginning of autumn in many parts of the country. Here are some top destinations you might consider:
Shimla: Known for its colonial architecture and pleasant weather. The Mall Road and Jakhoo Temple are popular spots.
Manali: Offers stunning views of the Himalayas, with attractions like Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, and Old Manali.
September is a great time to explore Leh as the weather is cool but not freezing. You can visit places like Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Magnetic Hill.
Famous for its royal heritage, the Mysore Palace, and the Chamundi Hill are among the most visited spots. The weather is pleasant, and you can also visit the nearby Brindavan Gardens.
Known as the Pink City, it’s less crowded and cooler in September. Don’t miss the Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, and City Palace.
Often referred to as the City of Lakes, it has beautiful palaces and lakes. The monsoon season leaves the lakes full and the landscape lush.
Munnar: A lush hill station with tea plantations, and where it's less crowded after the monsoon.
Alleppey (Alappuzha): Famous for its backwaters and houseboat cruises, the landscape is rejuvenated after the rains.
While it’s still a bit rainy, the weather is cooling down, and it’s a good time for less crowded beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Rishikesh: Ideal for yoga and adventure sports like white-water rafting.
Haridwar: Known for the Ganga Aarti and its spiritual significance.
Home to the iconic Taj Mahal. September’s weather is more comfortable for exploring the city's historical sites.
Port Blair: The weather is generally good for beach activities and exploring the islands, with less rain and a warm climate.
Each of these places has its unique charm and offers different experiences. It’s a good idea to check local weather conditions and travel advisories before planning your trip.
In September, you get two long weekends to plan a trip without using too many of your paid leaves.
4th September – Wednesday - Janmostav of Srimanta Shankardev
5th September – Thursday - Onam
6th September – Friday - Take a day off
7th September – Saturday - Saṃvatsarī/ Ganesh Chaturthi
8th September – Sunday – Nuakhai
13th September – Friday - Ramdev Jayanti / Teja Dashmi
14th September – Saturday - 2nd Saturday
15th September – Sunday - Onam
16th September – Monday - Milad-un-Nabi or Eid-e-Milad
You can take advantage of these long weekends and plan a family outing without using your leaves.