In a move aimed at ensuring communal harmony and smooth conduct of religious events, the Maharashtra government has rescheduled the public holiday for Eid-e-Milad in Mumbai city and the suburban district from Friday, September 5, to Monday, September 8, 2025.
The announcement came through an official notification issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Wednesday. The change applies only to Mumbai city and its suburban areas, while the rest of the state will observe the Eid-e-Milad holiday as originally planned on September 5.
The government’s decision was prompted by a request from the Muslim community, which resolved to hold the traditional Eid-e-Milad procession on September 8 instead of September 5. The revised date was chosen to avoid coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi on September 6, a major Hindu festival marking the culmination of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, during which thousands of Ganesh idols are immersed across Mumbai in massive public processions.
A Step Toward Peaceful Coexistence
An official from the GAD explained that the decision underscores the city’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among religious communities.
“Given the scale of both events, holding the Ganesh Visarjan and Eid-e-Milad processions on adjacent days could create logistical challenges, especially concerning crowd management, traffic control, and security arrangements,” the official said.
The holiday shift is intended to prevent the overlap of two large-scale religious processions and reduce the burden on law enforcement and civic authorities, who are already stretched thin during the Ganesh Visarjan.
No Holiday on September 5 in Mumbai
The circular from the GAD clarified that September 5 will be a regular working day for government offices in Mumbai city and its suburbs. All state government departments, public sector units, and educational institutions in these areas are expected to function as usual on that day.
Meanwhile, districts outside the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will continue to observe the public holiday for Eid-e-Milad on September 5 as previously declared.
Community Response
Leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities have welcomed the government’s decision as a practical and thoughtful step.
Maulana Zahir Khan, a community representative involved in the coordination of Eid-e-Milad processions, praised the government for its “sensitive and consultative approach.”
“This adjustment shows how communities can work together to ensure that every religious celebration is observed with dignity and without disruption. The government has shown it values both festivals equally,” he said.
Similarly, members of various Ganesh Mandals in the city expressed support for the shift, noting the importance of allowing each faith its space and time for religious expression.
Security and Civic Preparations
Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are now preparing for an extended festive weekend, with major deployment expected on both September 6 and September 8.
A senior police officer noted that while the change will help ease pressure on the city’s infrastructure, both days will still require “full alert and deployment” due to the scale and intensity of the events.
“Mumbai is a city that hosts multiple massive religious events each year. With the Eid-e-Milad procession now set for September 8, we’ll be extending our security and crowd management plans,” the officer said.
Looking Ahead
The realignment of public holidays in India’s financial capital is a rare but not unprecedented move. Mumbai’s multi-faith fabric often demands sensitive governance, especially during overlapping religious observances.
This year, with Anant Chaturdashi falling on September 6 — a Saturday — and Eid-e-Milad now shifted to the following Monday, the city is set to witness an extended period of religious activity, community gatherings, and public celebrations.
Officials urge citizens to cooperate with traffic regulations and safety advisories that will be issued in the coming days.
