First day of Passover

April 2, 2026, marks the first day of Passover in India, a religious occasion commemorating the liberation of the Israelites. This initial day of the festival is recognized as a public holiday in several Indian states, particularly those with significant Jewish populations.

During this time, government offices, banks, and major businesses typically close as the community pivots to religious observances and familial duties. The week-long festival begins with this day of rest and ritual importance for the Bene Israel and Baghdadi Jewish communities.

The observance underscores the historical continuity and integration of Jewish life within India's multi-religious landscape. It serves as a modern affirmation of cultural identity and the universal pursuit of freedom, maintaining the traditions of a minority group within a broader societal framework.

The ritual centerpiece is the Seder, where families congregate to recount the Exodus and consume traditional symbolic elements like unleavened bread. In India, Jewish households often integrate local culinary influences, utilizing regional spices in festive dishes while strictly adhering to dietary laws.

Local synagogues host specific services, and the day is characterized by a cessation of routine labor to allow for communal prayer and shared feasts. Many families travel across different cities to participate in these large-scale communal dinners.