Bakrid Holiday In Kerala On May 27 Or 28? Here’s What Schools, Colleges & Offices May Follow

Bakrid 2026 will not fall on the same date across India, after fresh moon sightings led the Centre and states to revise their Eid al-Adha holiday plans. Most of the country will now mark the festival on 28 May, while Jammu and Kashmir, following separate moon reports, will celebrate on 27 May, creating different holiday schedules.

The festival, also known as Eid al-Adha or Id-ul-Zuha, is observed on the 10th day of Zil Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. The start of this month depends on sighting the crescent. Religious authorities in most Indian states declared the moon visible on 18 May 2026, while clerics in Kashmir reported crescent sighting a day earlier, on 17 May.

Bakrid 2026 date and revised Eid al-Adha holiday

Following the 18 May sighting across much of India, Islamic bodies such as Imarat-e-Sharia Hind, the Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Mosque in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, and the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Shaban Bukhari, announced that Eid al-Adha would begin on 28 May. Earlier union government calendars had listed 27 May 2026 for the festival.

The union government then adjusted the nationwide holiday. The personnel ministry issued an order on 22 May, confirming that all central government administrative offices throughout India will stay shut on the updated festival date. The statement said, "Central government administrative offices located at Delhi/New Delhi shall remain closed on 28th May, 2026, on account of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) (in place of 27th May, 2026)," it said in a statement.

Bakrid 2026 date and state-wise public holiday changes

West Bengal reshaped its festival break after the Centre’s revision. The Suvendu Adhikari-led government announced on 23 May that only 28 May would now be treated as a Bakrid holiday, instead of the earlier two-day break on 26 and 27 May. Authorities confirmed that both 26 May and 27 May will function as regular working days for offices covered under the state order.

The state notification explained the change in detail. It said, "In terms of Notification No. 4188-F(P2) dated 27th November, 2025, 26th May, 2026 (Tuesday) and 27th May, 2026 (Wednesday) were declared as public holidays on account of the Day before Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) and Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) respectively. Now, information has been received that Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid) will be observed on 28th May, 2026 (Thursday). Accordingly, in partial modification of the aforesaid notification, the Governor is pleased to declare 28th May, 2026 (Thursday) as a public holiday under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 on account of Id-Ud-Zoha (Bakrid)." The order added that earlier Bakrid-related holidays would be treated as standard working days.

When Will Keralam Celebrate Bakrid?

Kerala took a different route and kept a two-day break. On 24 May, the state government confirmed that both 27 May and 28 May 2026 would be public holidays for Bakrid.

The General Administration Department said, "Since 'Id-Ul-Ad'ha' (Bakrid) is being celebrated in the state on May 28, the government is pleased to order that Thursday, May 28, 2026, will also be a holiday."

The circular applied to all government offices, public sector undertakings and educational institutions, including professional colleges.

Officials in Kerala further clarified that both Wednesday and Thursday would be non-working days for institutions falling under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881. This means banks and related establishments in the state will also follow the two-day closure. Kerala will still celebrate Eid al-Adha on 28 May, aligned with most of India, but will retain 27 May as an additional closed day.

Bakrid 2026 date, moon sighting and celebrations

Jammu and Kashmir remains an exception to the national pattern. Local clerics there confirmed that the crescent appeared on 17 May 2026, making 18 May the first day of Zil Hijja in the region. As a result, Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir will celebrate Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, 27 May, the same day as Saudi Arabia and several West Asian countries.

Beyond the calendar changes, the religious meaning of Bakrid stays central. The festival recalls Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice Ismail in complete obedience to Allah. Islamic tradition holds that Ismail’s life was spared and an animal was sacrificed instead. Muslims mark the occasion through ritual animal sacrifice and by sharing meat with relatives, neighbours and those in need over three days.

With different moon sightings, India will see Bakrid 2026 observed on either 27 May or 28 May, depending on local decisions. Central offices and many states will follow the revised 28 May date, while Kerala offers a longer break and Jammu and Kashmir keeps its earlier schedule. Worshippers and employees are expected to rely on official notifications in their respective regions.