Educational institutions and government offices in two districts of Himachal Pradesh will remain closed on Thursday, September 17. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a school holiday in Una district, while Mandi district will observe a comprehensive shutdown of schools, colleges, and government offices due to the local Siyar festival.
Different Guidelines for Mandi and Una
The scope of the holiday varies across the two districts. In Una, the closure applies exclusively to schools. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made this announcement on Wednesday during the Anti-Chitta Walkathon event. Meanwhile, in Mandi district, the local observance of the traditional Siyar festival entails a shutdown extending to government offices alongside all educational institutions.
Cultural Significance of the Siyar Festival
Celebrated on the Sankranti of the Ashwin month in the Mandi and Kullu regions, the Siyar festival marks significant seasonal changes. According to local tradition, the festival signifies the end of the monsoon season and the arrival of the harvest time for Kharif crops. On this day, people offer portions of their harvest and seasonal fruits to Sair Mata, along with removing and offering traditional threads to the deity. The festival is also widely regarded in the region as the onset of the winter season, prompting the official holiday in Mandi district.
