International days
Mother's Day 2026 मातृ दिवस
A Day to Thank Mothers
Sunday, 10 May 2026
Mother's Day, on the second Sunday of May, is a day to thank mothers and mother figures with cards, meals and time together; it falls on 10 May in 2026.
How the date is fixed: Second Sunday of May (the date followed in India and the United States)
Why Mother's Day is celebrated
Mother's Day is a day to thank mothers and mother figures for their love, care and sacrifice. In India it is observed on the second Sunday of May, which is 10 May in 2026. It is not a religious occasion or a public holiday, but it has become popular in cities, schools and on social media.
History and story of Mother's Day
The modern day began in the United States. Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia, in May 1908 and then campaigned for a national day. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the second Sunday of May an official day to honour mothers. Jarvis later turned against the day, as she felt sellers of cards and flowers had turned it into a business. The United Kingdom keeps an older custom called Mothering Sunday, held during Lent, and many countries choose other dates.
How Mother's Day is celebrated
Children make cards, cook a meal, give flowers or small gifts, or plan an outing. Schools hold events where students sing or perform for their mothers. Many people also remember mothers who have passed away, or honour grandmothers, aunts and teachers who raised them.
Important days and moments
- School celebrations (Week before 10 May 2026)
Schools hold assemblies, card making sessions and performances where students thank their mothers. - Mother's Day (Sunday, 10 May 2026)
Families spend time together, share a meal and give cards, flowers or gifts to mothers and grandmothers.
Mother's Day across India
Indian tradition has long placed the mother first among teachers, summed up in the Upanishadic line "Matru devo bhava", treat your mother as god. Festivals such as Ahoi Ashtami and Jivitputrika see mothers fasting for their children. Mother's Day turns this around, with children thanking their mothers.
Other names and related festivals
- International Mother's Day
- Matri Diwas
Frequently asked questions
When is Mother's Day in 2026?
Mother's Day falls on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
Is Mother's Day a bank holiday?
Mother's Day falls on a Sunday in 2026, when banks are closed anyway.
Is Mother's Day a central government holiday?
No. Mother's Day is not on the 2026 list of central government holidays. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, when central government offices are closed anyway.
Is the stock market closed on Mother's Day?
Mother's Day falls on a Sunday, when the markets are closed anyway.
What are the other names of Mother's Day?
Mother's Day is also known as International Mother's Day, Matri Diwas.
Who started Mother's Day?
Anna Jarvis of the United States began the campaign after a memorial for her mother in 1908. The day became official there in 1914.
Is Mother's Day the same date in every country?
No. The United Kingdom marks Mothering Sunday during Lent, and several other countries use their own dates.
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Holidays and festivals calendar: October and November 2026
Central government holidays for all of India and major festivals. For bank, state government and school holidays, open your state: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal.
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Friday, 2 October Gandhi Jayanti Gandhi Jayanti on 2 October marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's freedom struggle and the voice of truth and non-violence. |
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Sunday, 11 October Sharad Navratri Sharad Navratri is the nine night autumn festival of the Goddess Durga, beginning with Ghatasthapana and leading up to Dussehra, with fasting, prayer, garba... |
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Saturday, 17 October Durga Puja Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura with grand pandals, dhak drums, prayers and feasts, especially in West Bengal and ea... |
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Tuesday, 20 October Dussehra Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of good over evil, recalling Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana and Goddess Durga's triumph over Mahishasura. |
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Sunday, 8 November Diwali Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness with Lakshmi Puja, rows of diyas, sweets and family gatherings on the new moon... |
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Sunday, 15 November Chhath Puja Chhath Puja is a four day festival of Bihar and eastern India in which devotees fast and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun while standing in water. |
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Tuesday, 24 November Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Prakash Purab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, with prayers, nagar kirtans, langar and lit up gurdw... |
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Public holiday Major festival Today
- Sat, 17 Oct
Durga Puja - Tue, 20 Oct
Dussehra - Sun, 8 Nov
Diwali - Sun, 15 Nov
Chhath Puja - Tue, 24 Nov
Guru Nanak Jayanti