Gandhi Jayanti

For the Indian merchant ship named Gandhi Jayanti between 1963 and 1974, see MV Hannington Court (1954).

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India, celebrated annually on 2 October to honour the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the key leaders of the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence. It is one of the three national holidays in India. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared this day as the International Day of Non-Violence.^[1][2] Referred to as the "National Father" by Subhas Chandra Bose, Gandhi's principles of nonviolent resistance played a crucial role in India's successful struggle for independence from British colonial rule.^[2][3]

Mahatma Gandhi's Jayanti
Gandhi in 1931
Observed by	India
Type	National
Significance	Honours Mahatma Gandhi's role in Indian Independence
Observances	Community, historical celebration
Date	2 October
Next time	2 October 2025 (2025-10-02)
Frequency	Annual
Related to	International Day of Non-Violence Republic Day Independence Day

Commemoration

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated yearly on 2 October.^[4] and is observed in all of India's states and territories. It is marked by prayer services and tributes across India, including at Gandhi's memorial, Raj Ghat, in New Delhi where he was cremated. Popular activities include prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions.^[2] On this day awards are granted for projects in schools and the community encouraging a nonviolent way of life as well as celebrating Gandhi's effort in the Indian independence movement.^[5] Gandhi's favourite bhajan (Hindu devotional song), "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram", is usually sung in his memory.^[6] Statues of Mahatma Gandhi throughout the country are decorated with flowers and garlands, and some people avoid drinking alcohol or eating meat on the day.^[7] Public buildings, banks and post offices are closed.^[7] On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Swachh Bharat Mission. Its second phase started on Gandhi Jayanti 2021.^[8]

Notes

1. "UN declares 2 October, Gandhi's birthday, as International Day of Non-Violence". United Nations. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
2. TOI Lifestyle Desk (30 September 2024). "Gandhi Jayanti 2004: History, Significance, Facts, Celebration and all you need to know". Times of India.
3. "Gandhi Jayanti 2024: History, Significance, Facts, Celebration and All You Need to Know". The Times of India. Mumbai. 2 October 2024. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024. His philosophy of peace protest and civil disobedience brought millions of Indians into action and weakened British control over India to a great extent. Non-violence and the efforts in which he introduced communal harmony and social reforms made him a legendary figure in Indian history.
4. SA News (1 October 2021). "Gandhi Jayanti: Who Is the Real Father of the World?". SA News Channel. Satlok Ashram. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
5. "Gandhi Jayanti". Simon Fraser University. Retrieved 15 April 2006.
6. "Several programmes mark Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Mysore". The Hindu. 3 October 2005. Archived from the original on 17 February 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2006.
7. "Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India". Time and Date. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
8. "Towards a Swachh Bharat | Prime Minister of India". www.pmindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2 October 2021.