First Day of Passover 2025 in India

The First Day of Passover marks the beginning of the Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and freedom from slavery. Observed with special prayers, the Seder meal, and the eating of matzah, it is a time of reflection, gratitude, and tradition.

First Day of Passover: A Public Holiday?

The First Day of Passover is not a public holiday in India. While the Jewish community observes it with prayers and traditional rituals, schools, offices, and businesses remain open as usual.

First Day of Passover

The First Day of Passover, also known as Pesach, marks the beginning of the Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. According to the Torah, God commanded Moses to lead the Israelites to freedom, culminating in the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. The festival's name, "Passover," refers to the story in which God "passed over" the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague in Egypt, sparing their firstborn children. This day is celebrated as a reminder of freedom, resilience, and faith.

In India, the Jewish community, though small, has been celebrating Passover for centuries. Indian Jews, including the Bene Israel, Cochin Jews, and Baghdadi Jews, have carried forward this tradition in their unique cultural contexts. The festival holds special significance for these communities as they trace their own stories of migration and survival. Passover is an occasion to connect with their historical roots while maintaining their faith and customs in a diverse and multicultural country.

Observance on the First Day of Passover in India

Passover celebrations in India begin on the evening before the First Day of Passover with the Seder, a special ritual meal that narrates the story of the Exodus. Families gather to read from the Haggadah, a text recounting the Israelites' liberation events. Specific foods are consumed during the Seder, such as matzah (unleavened bread) to symbolize the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt and bitter herbs to represent the hardships of slavery.

Though small in number, Jewish communities in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Kochi come together to observe this sacred day. The synagogues hold special prayers, and homes are cleaned thoroughly to remove chametz (leavened products) as part of the preparation.

Passover holds deep significance as it symbolizes freedom, gratitude, and faith in divine intervention. For Indian Jews, it is a time to honor their religious heritage and strengthen their bonds as a community. Celebrating Passover in India reflects the resilience and continuity of Jewish traditions in a land of cultural diversity.

First Day of Passover Observances