Valentine’s Day is popular around the world and is celebrated in many places, including India. It celebrates love mainly between couples and friends.
Is Valentine's Day a Public Holiday?
Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
Flowers and hearts are all part of the Valentine's Day theme.
©iStockphoto.com/Kais Tolmats
What Do People Do?
India is well known as a culture filled with ancient traditions. The Hindu culture contradicts many of the western world’s ideals. Valentine’s Day celebrations are known to clash with India’s conservative religious background. It has only been in the most recent years that Valentine’s Day has become widely recognized in India.
Just like most people in the world, many men and women of India, particularly young couples, celebrate Valentine’s Day in a big way. They dress in fine clothing and show their loved one how they feel about them. Hotels and restaurants are fully booked to accommodate couples who are expressing and celebrating their love for each other. Post offices are filled with flower deliveries of flowers, packages and romantic letters.
Public Life
Valentine’s Day is neither a public nor a private holiday. All offices, schools, colleges, government and private institutions remain open on this day. But those who wish to enjoy the day take a personal holiday to celebrate with their partner. Public transport also operates in full swing on the day. However, there is heavy traffic congestion in many places as many couples go out to enjoy the day.
Background
Valentine’s Day is a popular global observance that is becoming increasingly popular in India over the years. Many people, particularly young people, in India started celebrating and enjoying the day in recent times.
Symbols
Popular Valentine’s Day symbols include flowers, cupid, arrows, love birds, the color red and hearts. Hearts symbolize of love, but it is also a symbol of life. Giving one’s heart to another person, so to speak, is the ultimate expression of love.
Flowers, roses especially, have long been associated with love. They stand for love, friendship and romance. The color red is associated with love, passion and romance. Love birds are a favorite symbol of Valentine’s Day because it has been said that they search for their mates on Valentine’s Day. Cupid, the god of love in mythology, is responsible for shooting arrows to make people fall in love with each other.
About Valentine's Day in other countries
Read more about Valentine's Day.Valentine's Day Observances
Holiday currently only shown for years 2015–2021.
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Sat | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2016 | Sun | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2017 | Tue | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2018 | Wed | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2019 | Thu | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2020 | Fri | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| 2021 | Sun | 14 Feb | Valentine's Day | Observance |
We diligently research and continuously update our holiday dates and information. If you find a mistake, please let us know.