The revered four-day festival of Chhath Puja is drawing to a close across India with tremendous religious fervor and devotion. Having commenced on November 13, this sacred observance concludes on Monday, November 16, as devotees gather at riverbanks and water bodies to offer arghya to the rising sun. To accommodate the extensive morning rituals, heavy movement around ghats, and family celebrations, educational authorities and district administrations across multiple states have announced school closures, addressing the key question on the minds of parents and students regarding the duration of these holidays.
While Chhath Puja has historically seen its most intense observance in eastern India, its reach now extends deeply into northern and western states, including the National Capital Region. Consequently, holiday schedules vary significantly from one state to another. In some regions, students are enjoying extended breaks spanning more than a week, whereas in others, closures are limited to single-day local holidays enacted by district leadership. Understanding the exact schedule helps families plan their routines as schools prepare to resume operations after the festive period.
Bihar Observes Longest Break With Reopening Scheduled for November 18
Given that Bihar represents the cultural core of Chhath celebrations, the state has provided the longest uninterrupted vacation for school children. According to the academic calendar issued by the state education department, school closures were structured to bridge the period from Diwali through the conclusion of Chhath Puja. Classrooms have remained closed from November 7 and will stay shut through November 17, 2026, granting students an extensive eleven-day holiday. All government and private schools across Bihar will formally resume regular academic activities on November 18.
Jharkhand Closes Schools Through November 17
In Jharkhand, where festivities are observed with equal solemnity and enthusiasm, educational institutions are observing holidays from November 15 to November 17, 2026. In several administrative districts, the holiday break commenced early on November 14 to allow families adequate preparation time for the demanding rituals. Normal classroom sessions across Jharkhand will resume on November 18, once all four days of the festival, including the final morning arghya and subsequent gatherings, have concluded.
Delhi and National Capital Region Experience Extended Weekend
In the national capital of Delhi, the local administration declared a public holiday on Monday, November 16, to honor the celebrations. Coming directly after the Sunday break on November 15, students in Delhi received a continuous two-day recess. Across neighboring NCR cities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, private school managements operate under individual school board protocols and local district circulars, leading to varying attendance policies across different campuses.
District-Level Orders Enforce Holiday Across Uttar Pradesh
Rather than enacting a blanket statewide shutdown, the government in Uttar Pradesh delegated the power of announcing local holidays for Chhath Puja to individual district magistrates based on regional requirements and local population traditions.
In Kanpur Nagar and Varanasi, the respective district magistrates issued official notifications declaring November 16, 2026, a local and public holiday, ensuring that all schools and colleges remain non-operational. Similarly, key districts across eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Gorakhpur, Ghazipur, Kushinagar, Ballia, and Prayagraj, have suspended classes from pre-primary through grade 12 on November 16 following explicit directives from their local administrations.
Operational Status in Other States and Guidance for Parents
Certain pockets in West Bengal may observe local holidays due to the confluence of Chhath Puja and Jagaddhatri Puja. Meanwhile, schools across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and southern Indian states are slated to function on standard schedules, although select private institutions in areas with notable migrant populations may exercise institutional discretion. Parents and guardians are strongly advised to check official school WhatsApp groups and institutional communication portals before sending children to school on Monday morning.
