When is Martyrs’ Day?
In 2026, Martyrs’ Day falls on Friday, January 30, 2026. It is classified here as a Nepalese public holiday.
History of Martyrs’ Day
Martyrs’ Day, known as Sahid Diwas, honours people who gave their lives in struggles for political rights and democracy in Nepal. The public memory of the day is closely tied to the four martyrs executed by the Rana regime in 1941—Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand and Gangalal Shrestha—whose names remain central to the national narrative of democratic change.
Commemorations are sober rather than festival-like. Official ceremonies, floral tributes and public discussions connect past sacrifice to questions of citizenship and democratic responsibility in the present. The date follows the Bikram Sambat calendar and can move slightly in the Gregorian calendar. Readers should use the Ministry of Home Affairs’ annual notice for the exact closure and local event information.
Martyrs’ Day must be read through Nepal’s annually gazetted Bikram Sambat calendar rather than through an unchanging Gregorian-date list. A late-January public holiday honouring people remembered for Nepal’s democratic struggles and civic sacrifice. The Ministry of Home Affairs notice determines the civil date, territorial reach and eligible group, while essential services can retain separate staffing. That distinction matters especially when a festival follows a lunar calculation or when leave is limited to a region, community or gender.
How Martyrs’ Day is observed
A public holiday and national remembrance day in the annual government calendar. Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs publishes the controlling annual calendar in Bikram Sambat; lunar dates and any special leave categories must be confirmed from that year’s notice. Travellers and employees should confirm the gazetted annual notice because local services and eligible groups can differ.
Traditions of Martyrs’ Day
Memorial tributes
Officials, civic groups and families lay flowers and observe moments of remembrance at martyr memorials. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Public reflection
Schools, media and organisations revisit Nepal’s democratic struggles and civic responsibilities. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Quiet ceremonies
The day is generally marked by formal programmes rather than commercial celebration. The form and emphasis can differ between Nepal’s regions, communities and individual households.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Nepalese official and legal guidance. Lunar dates and annual government, provincial or employer schedules should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs: Government and Public Holidays in 2083, Pradhan & Associates: English legal summary of Nepal's 2083 holiday notice.
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