Eid-e-Milad 2025: Why Holiday Shifted to Sept 8 in Mumbai, Traffic Advisory & Travel Guide

The festival of Eid-e-Milad, also known as Milad-un-Nabi or Mawlid, is observed to honor the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is an important festival for Muslims across World, celebrated with religious gatherings, prayers, and processions.

This year, Eid-e-Milad 2025 comes with an important update for Mumbai residents: the Maharashtra government has officially shifted the holiday to Monday, September 8, 2025.

But why was this change made? And what does it mean for commuters in Mumbai? Let’s dive into the details — from the reason behind the date shift to traffic advisories, travel tips, and how you can plan your day better with Yatri.

Why Was the Eid-e-Milad Holiday Shifted in 2025?

For Eid-e-Milad 2025, the Maharashtra government announced a special change in the holiday schedule — but only for Mumbai city and suburbs.

Originally, the holiday was marked for Friday, September 5, 2025. However, this year, Anant Chaturdashi — the grand visarjan day of Ganesh Chaturthi — falls on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Since lakhs of devotees take part in Ganesh idol immersion processions across Mumbai on that day, the Muslim community, in consultation with the state government, decided to hold the Eid-e-Milad procession on Monday, September 8, 2025, instead.

👉 To maintain harmony and smooth management of both festivals, the holiday has been shifted to September 8 for Mumbai city and suburban districts.

The General Administration Department (GAD) circular clarified:

• The holiday on September 5 remains unchanged in other districts of Maharashtra.
• In Mumbai city and suburbs, September 8 will be the official holiday.
• Government offices in Mumbai will remain open as usual on September 5, 2025.

This change ensures that both Ganesh Visarjan and Eid-e-Milad processions can be celebrated peacefully without crowding and traffic overlap in the city.

The Cultural & Religious Significance of Eid-e-Milad

Eid-e-Milad is more than just a public holiday — it’s a day of devotion, reflection, and community celebrations.

• Mosques and community halls host special prayers and sermons recounting the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
  
  
• Across Mumbai’s iconic neighborhoods like Mohammed Ali Road, Byculla, Bhendi Bazaar, Kurla, and Mumbra, beautifully decorated streets and processions bring a festive glow to the city.
  
  
• Devotees often take part in charity drives, community meals, and Quran recitations, making it a festival of both faith and togetherness.

For Mumbai, where communities live side by side, Eid-e-Milad is a reminder of the city’s unity in diversity.

🚦 Eid-e-Milad 2025 Traffic Advisory in Mumbai

Every year, Mumbai Traffic Police issues an advisory to help manage the large processions and gatherings across the city. For 2025, commuters can expect:

• Road Closures & Diversions: Key stretches in South Mumbai, Byculla, Mohammed Ali Road, Nagpada, Bhendi Bazaar, and Dongri may experience full or partial traffic restrictions during the day.
  
  
• No-Parking Zones: Vehicles will not be allowed to park near mosques, processional routes, and congested junctions.
  
  
• Slow Traffic Expected: From early morning till late evening, heavy crowd presence is expected around prominent mosques and community centers.

Likely Impacted Areas:

• Mohammed Ali Road → Bhendi Bazaar → Byculla
• Nagpada Junction & Madanpura
• JJ Flyover adjoining areas
• Kurla West & Bandra reclamation (community gatherings)

👉 Tip for commuters: If you’re planning to travel through these routes, avoid driving cars. Use Mumbai local trains, metro, or buses instead.

🚉 Travel Guide: How to Move Around Mumbai on Eid-e-Milad

Mumbai is a city that never stops — and on festivals, local trains and metros remain the fastest way to move.

Here’s how you can plan your journey smartly:

✻ Use Yatri App for Live Updates

     → Check live local train timings, delays, and crowd updates directly on the app.

     → Plan alternate routes if a station near the festival zone is overcrowded.

✻ Best Routes for Procession Areas

     → If traveling to South Mumbai, use Central Line up to Byculla / Sandhurst Road or Western Line up to Grant Road / Marine Lines.

     → For Kurla gatherings, take the Central Line (Kurla station) or Harbour Line and avoid congested roads.

✻ Plan Around Peak Hours

     → Main processions usually begin post-10 AM and continue till evening. Early morning travel is smoother.

✻ Metro Advantage

     → The Metro corridors provide a great alternative if road diversions make bus travel difficult.

🕌 Where to Experience Eid-e-Milad in Mumbai

If you want to witness the spiritual and cultural celebrations, these areas in Mumbai are known for grand Eid-e-Milad processions:

• Mohammed Ali Road → Famous for its illuminated streets and community feasts.
• Nagpada & Byculla → Hosts some of the city’s largest processions.
• Bhendi Bazaar → Buzzing with decorations, qawwalis, and religious gatherings.
• Kurla & Mumbra → Prominent hubs in the suburbs where celebrations are vibrant.

💡 Travel Smart: Use Yatri to locate the nearest station to these neighborhoods so you can walk instead of getting stuck in road diversions.

Holiday Shift: What It Means for Offices & Schools

The Maharashtra government’s notification makes September 8, 2025 (Monday) a public holiday across Mumbai and the state.

1. Schools & Colleges → Closed on Sept 8.
   
   
2. Government Offices → Will remain shut.
   
   
3. Banks → Most banks will observe the holiday.
   
   
4. Stock Market → BSE & NSE are expected to remain closed (official circular pending).

👉 For families, this ensures a long weekend (Saturday–Monday) — a time for celebration, rest, and community bonding.

Final Thoughts

Eid-e-Milad 2025 in Mumbai is not just a religious event but also a major cultural moment for the city. With the holiday now officially shifted to September 8, residents get an extra reason to plan ahead — whether it’s for prayers, family gatherings, or simply traveling smart during processions.

✨ Whether you’re attending prayers at Mohammed Ali Road, joining processions in Byculla, or simply enjoying the festive spirit from your neighborhood — this Eid-e-Milad promises to be a memorable celebration of faith, unity, and community in Mumbai.