Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati – the founder of Arya Samaj. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the tenth day of Krishna Pasha, in the month of Falgun, and will be celebrated on 5th March 2024. Swami Dayanand was one of the first men to oppose social evils like animal sacrifice, caste system, child marriage and discrimination against women. The discerning Dayanand also condemned idol worship and pilgrimages. He wrote more than 60 works in his lifetime, with Satyarth Prakash, meaning The Light of Truth, being the most popular. The book also became an integral part of India’s struggle for independence.
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti History and Significance
Born as Mool Shankar Tiwari to a Hindu family, Swami Dayanand was a renowned scholar of Vedic knowledge. He firmly believed that Hinduism had diverged from its founding principles and dedicated his life to reviving Vedic ideologies. Dayanand spent 25 years as a wandering ascetic to get a deeper perspective on life and its meaning.
He founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 with one vision in mind, universal brotherhood, and believed that “all actions should be performed with the prime objective of benefiting mankind.” He wrote 10 principles of the Arya Samaj that are now being followed by millions around the globe.
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Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Celebrations across India
Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is celebrated to remember and revere a great Hindu monk, a renowned scholar and a nobleman whose contributions to humanity are followed till date. On this day, his devotees recall Dayanand’s good deeds and spread his message of peace and brotherhood.
Best Places to Observe the Celebrations of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
While Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti is celebrated all over the world, one of the best places to observe this day and pay last respects to the monk is Rishikesh.
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
