About Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi Jayanti marks the birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. It is one of India's three national holidays, with Republic Day and Independence Day, and in 2027 it falls on Saturday, 2 October 2027. The same date is Lal Bahadur Shastri's birthday and, since 2007, the UN's International Day of Non-Violence.
Only three days are national holidays in India, observed in every state and union territory: 26 January, 15 August and 2 October. The first two belong to the nation. The third belongs to one man's birthday, which says a good deal about how the republic chose to remember its founding.
How is Gandhi Jayanti observed in India?
Gandhi Jayanti begins at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, the black marble platform on the Yamuna where Gandhi was cremated on 31 January 1948. The country's leaders pay tribute there in the morning, and prayer services are held with the hymns Gandhi loved. Nearby at Vijay Ghat, Shastri's memorial, tributes are paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri, who was born on the same date.
Across the country, statues of Gandhi are garlanded, schools and colleges hold prayer meetings, essay and painting competitions, and cleanliness drives. Government offices, banks and post offices are closed. Gandhi Jayanti is also a dry day in most states, so liquor shops and bars stay shut, and some people choose to avoid meat and alcohol for the day.
Two songs are sung almost everywhere. Vaishnava Jana To is a 15th-century Gujarati hymn by the poet Narsinh Mehta, describing a true devotee as one who feels the pain of others and helps without pride; it was sung regularly at Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram. Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram is the bhajan most people associate with him.
Since 2014, 2 October has also been tied to the Swachh Bharat Mission, the national sanitation campaign launched on Gandhi Jayanti that year, with a second phase starting on the same date in 2021. Many offices and housing societies hold cleanliness drives in the week around it.
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi was a lawyer who led India's independence movement through non-violent mass resistance, which he called satyagraha, "holding firmly to truth". He was born in Porbandar, where his father was chief minister of the princely state, studied law in London, and spent 21 years in South Africa working and fighting racial discrimination before returning to India.
- 1869Born in Porbandar
Born on 2 October to Karamchand and Putlibai Gandhi.
- 1893South Africa
Goes to South Africa to practise law and stays 21 years; first uses satyagraha against a registration law in 1906.
- 1915Returns to India
Lands in Bombay on 9 January, the date now kept as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
- 1917Champaran
Takes up the cause of indigo farmers in Bihar, his first major campaign in India.
- 1920–1922Non-cooperation
Leads the first nationwide campaign of civil disobedience.
- 1930Salt March
Walks about 388 km to Dandi to break the salt law.
- 1942Quit India
Calls for the British to leave India immediately.
- 1948Assassinated
Shot dead in Delhi on 30 January by Nathuram Godse.
The title Mahatma, "great soul", was first used for him in 1914. Indians also call him Bapu, "father", and he is widely referred to as the Father of the Nation.
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.
Why is 2 October also Shastri Jayanti?
Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second Prime Minister, was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, 35 years to the day after Gandhi. He led the country from June 1964 until his death in Tashkent on 11 January 1966, a day after signing the peace agreement that ended the 1965 war with Pakistan. He coined the slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan", hailing the soldier and the farmer, in October 1965. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1966.
Mentioning Shastri in a 2 October message is a small touch that many people appreciate, especially older relatives who remember him.
How does the United Nations mark Gandhi Jayanti?
The United Nations marks Gandhi's birthday as the International Day of Non-Violence, held every 2 October. The UN General Assembly created it through resolution A/RES/61/271 on 15 June 2007, with 140 co-sponsors, asking countries to spread the message of non-violence through education and public awareness.
| Observance on 2 October | Who it honours | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Gandhi Jayanti | Mahatma Gandhi, born 1869 | One of India's three national holidays |
| Shastri Jayanti | Lal Bahadur Shastri, born 1904 | Marked with tributes at Vijay Ghat, Delhi |
| International Day of Non-Violence | Gandhi's idea of non-violence | UN resolution of 15 June 2007 |
For the UN day on its own, see International Day of Non-Violence.
What should you write on Gandhi Jayanti?
A Gandhi Jayanti message reads best when it connects one of his habits to something the reader can do: walk instead of drive, buy khadi, settle an argument without anger, clean up a street. A birthday greeting can be warm; the solemn day is 30 January, Martyrs' Day.
Happy Gandhi Jayanti. Bapu walked 388 km to Dandi for a fistful of salt. We can manage the walk to the sabzi market today.
Warm wishes on Gandhi Jayanti and Shastri Jayanti. Two men from very different backgrounds, both remembered for plain living and honest work.
Happy Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhiji believed you could win without hitting back. Try it the next time someone grabs your crayons.
Remembering Bapu and Shastriji on 2 October. Thank you for teaching us "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" before we knew what it meant.
Happy Gandhi Jayanti. The world marks today as the International Day of Non-Violence, which says something about the man born in Porbandar.
On Gandhi Jayanti, join the cleanliness drive at 8 am near the main gate. Gloves and bags will be provided.
Do
- Remember Lal Bahadur Shastri alongside Gandhi.
- Check a quote before you forward it; many lines circulated as Gandhi's are paraphrases or were never his.
- Tie the day to an action, like a clean-up, a khadi purchase or a visit to an elder.
Avoid
- Don't confuse Gandhi Jayanti with Martyrs' Day on 30 January, the anniversary of his death.
- Avoid using the day to argue about Gandhi's politics in office or family groups.
- Don't plan a party with alcohol; it is a dry day in most states.
Gandhi's return from South Africa is marked on Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 9 January.
How to wish someone on Gandhi Jayanti
A Gandhi Jayanti message works best when it points to something he practised, not only something he said: non-violence, simple living, cleanliness, truth-telling, self-reliance. Remember Lal Bahadur Shastri on the same day. Keep the tone respectful but not solemn, since this is a birthday, and check any quotation before sending it.
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
When is Gandhi Jayanti in 2026 and 2027?
Gandhi Jayanti is on 2 Oct every year. Only the weekday changes.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
When is Gandhi Jayanti in 2027?
Gandhi Jayanti 2027 falls on Saturday, 2 October 2027.
Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on 2 October?
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2 October because Mahatma Gandhi was born on that date in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. It is one of India's three national holidays, along with Republic Day and Independence Day.
Whose birthday is also on 2 October?
Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second Prime Minister, was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai. Tributes are paid to him at Vijay Ghat in Delhi on the same day as Gandhi Jayanti.
Is Gandhi Jayanti a dry day?
Yes. Gandhi Jayanti is a dry day in most Indian states, along with Republic Day and Independence Day, so liquor shops and bars are closed. The exact rules are set by each state's excise department.
What is the International Day of Non-Violence?
The International Day of Non-Violence is a United Nations observance held on 2 October, Gandhi's birthday. The UN General Assembly established it on 15 June 2007 through resolution A/RES/61/271 to promote non-violence through education and public awareness.
What was Gandhi's favourite bhajan?
Gandhi's prayer meetings are most associated with "Vaishnava Jana To", a 15th-century Gujarati hymn by Narsinh Mehta, and "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram". Both are sung at Raj Ghat and in schools on Gandhi Jayanti.
What is the difference between Gandhi Jayanti and Martyrs' Day?
Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks Mahatma Gandhi's birth in 1869. Martyrs' Day on 30 January marks his assassination in 1948 and is observed with two minutes' silence at 11 am.
Last verified by the Kehdoo team on .