14 February 2026: Calendar, Festivals, Special Day, Public & Bank Holiday Updates in India

Today

Date - 14 February 2026
Day - Saturday

1. Festivals & Observances

Today, 14 February 2026, is globally recognized as Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and affection observed in many countries. While it is not a traditional Indian festival, the day is widely celebrated among the youth and urban communities across India.

In some Indian states, this day is observed differently. Parents' Worship Day (Matru Pitru Poojan Divas) is celebrated on 14 February in certain regions as an alternative to Valentine's Day. This initiative encourages people to honour and worship their parents rather than following Western traditions.

From a spiritual perspective, every day is an opportunity to express genuine love. As taught in the Bhagavad Gita, true love begins with devotion to the Supreme Lord and extends to all living beings. Whether one celebrates Valentine's Day, Parents' Day, or simply treats it as an ordinary Saturday, what matters is that the day is spent with a pure heart, kindness, and remembrance of the Divine.

2. Special Day

While 14 February is not a nationally declared special day in India, it holds significance in the hearts of many as Valentine's Day. However, this date also marks a solemn occasion in India's recent history. Additionally, India remembers several distinguished personalities on their birth and death anniversaries today.

Birth Anniversary

Sushma Swaraj

Sushma Swaraj, one of India's most respected political leaders, was born on 14 February 1952 in Ambala Cantonment, Haryana. She served as India's Minister of External Affairs from 2014 to 2019 and was widely admired for her compassionate leadership and dedication to public service. She was known for her prompt responses to Indians in distress abroad, often using social media to provide immediate assistance. Sushma Swaraj was a powerful orator, a skilled parliamentarian, and a trailblazer for women in Indian politics. She served as a member of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and held various ministerial portfolios throughout her distinguished career. She passed away on 6 August 2019, leaving behind a legacy of service and compassion.

Mohan Dharia

Mohan Dharia was born on 14 February 1925 in Raigad district, Maharashtra. He was a distinguished Union minister, lawyer, social worker, and environmentalist. Dharia was elected to the Lok Sabha twice from Pune constituency, first in 1971 as an Indian National Congress member and later in 1977 as a Bharatiya Lok Dal member, joining the Morarji Desai Ministry as Union Minister of Commerce. He also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1964 to 1971. His political career was marked by his opposition to the Emergency imposed in 1975, for which he was detained along with other dissenting leaders. After his political career, he dedicated himself to environmental conservation and founded the non-governmental organisation Vanarai, which works on afforestation and watershed development. For his contributions to social work, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, in 2005. He passed away on 14 October 2013.

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur

Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, known simply as Babur, was born on 14 February 1483. He was the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India. A descendant of Timur on his father's side and Genghis Khan on his mother's side, Babur was a skilled military commander, poet, and diarist. His victory over Sultan Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India, which would last for over three centuries. His autobiography, the Baburnama, is considered one of the finest works of autobiographical literature in world history. He passed away on 26 December 1530.

Death Anniversary

Pulwama Attack Martyrs (2019)

On 14 February 2019, a tragic terror attack took place in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. A convoy of vehicles carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was targeted, resulting in the martyrdom of 40 brave CRPF jawans. This incident deeply shook the entire nation and became one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in recent Indian history. The nation observes this day in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by these brave soldiers in the line of duty.

The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that the soul is eternal and transcends the physical body. While we honour the courage and sacrifice of these brave souls, we also remember that those who dedicate their lives to protecting others attain a noble place. The nation remains forever grateful to these martyrs and their families.

V.T. Krishnamachari

V.T. Krishnamachari, a distinguished Indian civil servant and administrator, passed away on 14 February 1964. Born on 8 February 1881, he served as the Diwan of Baroda from 1927 to 1944 and as the Prime Minister of the then Jaipur State from 1946 to 1949. His administrative skills and dedication to public service were widely recognized. He also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1961 until his passing in 1964, contributing to the nation's legislative process during crucial years of India's development.

Vidyanivas Mishra

Vidyanivas Mishra, a celebrated Hindi litterateur, editor, Sanskrit scholar, and linguist, passed away on 14 February 2005. Born on 28 January 1926, he made significant contributions to Hindi literature and linguistics. He advocated for the inclusion of regional dialect words in Hindi to make the language more accessible and avoid overly Sanskritized official language. For his exceptional contributions to literature and language, the Government of India honoured him with both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards. His work continues to influence Hindi literature and linguistic studies in India.

3. Holiday Updates

Public Holiday: Today, 14 February 2026, is not a nationally declared public holiday in India. Central and state government offices remain open and operational across most parts of the country.

Bank Holiday: According to the Reserve Bank of India guidelines, 14 February 2026 falls on the second Saturday of the month. All scheduled and non-scheduled banks across India observe public holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Therefore, all bank branches throughout India will remain closed today. However, digital banking services such as UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, mobile banking, internet banking, and ATM services will continue to operate normally, allowing customers to conduct financial transactions without interruption.