Lunar New Year

On February 17, 2026, India recognizes the Lunar New Year, a festival marking the initial cycle of the lunar calendar known regionally as Losar or the Spring Festival. This occasion is primarily centered within the Himalayan territories of Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as among Tibetan and Chinese-Indian populations.

Although it is listed as a public holiday in specific states, it is not a gazetted national holiday across the entire country. Consequently, government offices and businesses remain open in most of India, while official closures are localized to the specific regions where the festival is formally observed.

The observance reflects the profound pluralism of India’s social landscape by honoring the distinct traditions of its Buddhist and East Asian heritage groups. It provides a vital moment for cultural preservation and strengthens social ties through shared ancestral rituals and spiritual renewal.

In India, the celebration involves deep-cleaning residences to banish ill fortune and hosting large communal gatherings centered on traditional cuisine. Monastic rituals and specialized prayers take place in high-altitude regions, while in urban centers like Kolkata, the Chinese-Indian community organizes vibrant lion dances and street festivals.

Locals often exchange gifts and decorate their homes to invite prosperity for the coming year, with cultural performances and folk music serving as central features of the regional festivities.