Karnataka was originally known as the State of Mysore before it was renamed in 1973. Its capital Bengaluru, previously called Bangalore, is considered the IT capital of India and one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
The southern state is also known for its rich heritage such as Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Mysore which includes the Mysore Palace, belonging to the Maharajas of Mysore who ruled the state. Karnataka has several holiday destinations and in this article, we have compiled the Karnataka Public Holiday List in 2021 and its unique holidays and festivals.
Most businesses and other institutions remain closed during Karnataka Public Holidays which are either national or festival holidays. Below are the Karnataka General Holidays and 2021 Karnataka Public Holidays:
List of Government Holidays 2021 in Karnataka:
Holidays in Karnataka During January 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Thursday
14 January
Makar Sankranti
Tuesday
26 January
Republic Day
Holidays in Karnataka During February 2021
No public holidays in Karnataka during February 2021.
Holidays in Karnataka March 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Thursday
11 March
Maha Shivaratri
Holidays in Karnataka During April 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
2 April
Good Friday
Tuesday
13 April
Ugadi
Wednesday
14 April
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti
Sunday
25 April
Mahavir Jayanti
Public Holidays in Karnataka During May 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Saturday
1 May
May Day
Thursday
13 May
Eid-ul-Fitr
Friday
14 May
Basava Jayanti
Public Holidays in Karnataka During June 2021
No public holidays in Karnataka during June 2021.
Public Holidays in Karnataka During July 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Tuesday
20 July
Bakrid/Eid-al-Adha
Public Holidays in Karnataka During August 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Sunday
15 August
Independence Day
Thursday
19 August
Muharram
Public Holidays in Karnataka During September 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
10 September
Ganesh Chaturthi
Public Holidays in Karnataka During October 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Saturday
2 October
Gandhi Jayanti
Wednesday
6 October
Mahalaya Amavasye
Thursday
14 October
Maha Navami
Friday
15 October
Vijaya Dashami
Tuesday
19 October
Eid e Milad
Wednesday
20 October
Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti
Public Holidays in Karnataka During November 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Monday
1 November
Kannada Rajyotsava
Thursday
5 November
Diwali
Public Holidays in Karnataka During December 2021
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
3 December
Kanakadasa Jayanti
Saturday
25 December
Christmas
List of Holidays 2020 in Karnataka:
Public Holidays in Karnataka During January 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Wednesday
15 January
Makar Sankranti
Sunday
26 January
Republic Day
Public Holidays in Karnataka During February 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
21 February
Maha Shivratri
Public Holidays in Karnataka March 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Wednesday
25 March
Ugadi
Public Holidays in Karnataka During April 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Monday
6 April
Mahavir Jayanti
Friday
10 April
Good Friday
Tuesday
14 April
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti
Sunday
26 April
Basava Jayanti
Public Holidays in Karnataka During May 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
1 May
May Day
Sunday
24 May
Eid-ul-Fitr
Public Holidays in Karnataka During July 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
31 July
Bakrid/Eid-al-Adha
Public Holidays in Karnataka During August 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Saturday
15 August
Independence Day
Saturday
22 August
Ganesh Chaturthi
Sunday
30 August
Muharram
Public Holidays in Karnataka During September 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Thursday
17 September
Mahalaya Amavasya
Public Holidays in Karnataka During October 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Friday
2 October
Gandhi Jayanti
Sunday
25 October
Maha Navami
Monday
26 October
Vijaya Dashami
Friday
30 October
Eid-e-Milad
Saturday
31 October
Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti
Public Holidays in Karnataka During November 2020:
Day
Date
Holiday Name
Sunday
1 November
Kannada Rajyotsava
Saturday
14 November
Diwali
Public Holidays in Karnataka During December 2020:
Below are some of the unique festivals and important days observed in Karnataka:
Makar Sankranti: One of the biggest festivals in Karnataka, Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival which is celebrated across the country but with different names. The festival is important for the people of Karnataka because it is the first festival of the Hindu calendar year.
Ugadi: Ugadi marks the start of the new year as per the Hindu calendar. People of Karnataka buy new clothes, decorate their houses and cook delicacies unique to Ugadi.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Hindus celebrate this when Lord Ganesh descended on earth with his mother. Idols of Lord Ganesh are installed at home and at the streets on elaborate pandals to celebrate Lord Ganesh’s arrival to earth.
Kambala: Kambala is a sport where buffaloes are raced by men through muddy rice or paddy fields. Kambala is one of the best cultural festivals of Karnataka and is conducted for two days.
Kannada Rajyotsava: This holiday falls on the 1 November every year signifying the birth of the State of Karnataka. Several cultural activities are held during the month.