Diwali School Holidays: As the festive spirit of Diwali approaches, excitement has already filled the air! With the festival just around the corner, schools, colleges, and various educational institutions across the country will close their doors for much of the upcoming week, along with banks and government offices. As we all know by now, this year Diwali falls on October 31, 2024. Schools nationwide will be closed on this special day. While some institutions plan to reopen on November 1, many states may extend the holiday to include the celebrations that follow, such as Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, allowing everyone to fully embrace the festivities. So, get ready to celebrate and enjoy the time off with family and friends!
Diwali 2024 School Holiday Dates
The list of dates coinciding with Diwali festivities are as follows:
Dhanteras – October 29
Chhoti Diwali – October 30
Diwali – October 31
Govardhan Puja – November 2
Bhai Dooj – November 3
Diwali 2024 School Holiday Dates in North India
The Uttar Pradesh government announced a holiday on October 31 to celebrate Diwali. Following this, holidays are also designated for Govardhan Puja on November 2 and Bhai Dooj on November 3. As a result, the government has officially declared holidays for October 31, November 2, and November 3. Although November 1 is not a government holiday, most schools have opted to extend their breaks, closing from Wednesday, October 31, through Sunday, November 3.
The Bihar government has declared a holiday for Chhath Puja, which falls on Tuesday, November 5. However, the celebrations last for several days. Given the festival’s significant importance in Bihar, most schools in the state will be closed from November 6 to November 9.
Diwali 2024 School Holiday Dates in South India
Schools in Tamil Nadu will observe Diwali holidays on October 31 and November 1, following a government order. This two-day break is a chance for students and teachers to fully immerse themselves in the festive spirit of Diwali.
In neighboring Karnataka, schools will also benefit from an extended holiday. Alongside the Diwali holiday on October 31, November 1 will be observed as a holiday to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava, also known as Kannada Rajyotsava, which marks the formation of the state. This day holds special significance for the people of Karnataka, as it commemorates the unification of the Kannada-speaking regions.
With these holidays, students in both states will have the opportunity to partake in the rich cultural traditions associated with Diwali and Karnataka Rajyotsava, fostering a sense of community and pride during this festive season.