Chhath Puja School Holiday 2025: Schools to Remain Closed in Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal & Jharkhand
In observance of Chhath Puja, several Indian states including the National Capital Region, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand have announced school holidays in 2025. The closures reflect respect for the four-day ritual, during which devotees pay homage to the Sun God and the riverside traditions deeply rooted in local culture.
Why the Break Matters
Chhath Puja is one of the most significant festivals in eastern India, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh, where families gather at riverbanks or ponds at sunrise and sunset to make offerings to the setting and rising sun. Schools’ closure in these states ensures that students and staff can participate in or accompany family rituals without academic pressures.
State-by-State Holiday Snapshot
• In the capital region, Delhi has officially declared Monday, October 27, 2025, as a school holiday for Chhath Puja observance.
• In Bihar, schools will remain closed for an extended period from late October leading up to and including Chhath Puja (October 27–28) and for some days thereafter.
• In Uttar Pradesh, while an official statewide order is yet to reach all schools, districts with strong Chhath traditions such as Varanasi and Gorakhpur are expected to observe closures around October 26–28.
• In West Bengal, schools will observe holidays on October 27–28 to allow participation in Chhath as well as other overlapping regional festivals.
• In Jharkhand too, where Chhath is celebrated with deep fervour, school closures have been announced or are in process to align with the festival’s rhythm.
What Parents and Students Should Know
Schools vary in their reopening dates and may factor in both the festival and the preceding Diwali holidays. It is wise for parents to check with individual institutions for accurate schedules. Additionally, this break gives families time for ritual preparations, travel to ancestral homes or riverside gatherings, and reflection on the cultural value of the festival.
Cultural Significance Amid the Break
By synchronising school holidays with Chhath Puja, these states underscore the festival’s importance not just as a religious event but as a communal practice binding families, traditions, and nature. It sends a message that educational institutions recognise the role of cultural heritage in shaping young minds.
As festive lights and rituals of Chhath Puja light up homes and riverbanks, the school holidays add to the atmosphere of rest, reflection and rejoicing, offering both students and families a meaningful pause in the rhythm of the academic year.
