Extended Festive Breaks in Odisha and Telangana to Celebrate Durga Puja and Dussehra

The Odisha state government has announced a generous 10-day holiday for schools, spanning from October 20 to October 29, in celebration of the much-awaited Durga Puja festival. This decision was officially conveyed by the School and Mass Education department, which has further instructed District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) to oversee the seamless implementation of these vacation days, as reported by PTI.

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The Odisha state government has announced a generous 10-day holiday for schools, spanning from October 20 to October 29, in celebration of the much-awaited Durga Puja festival. This decision was officially conveyed by the School and Mass Education department, which has further instructed District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) to oversee the seamless implementation of these vacation days, as reported by PTI.

Both the Directorate of Secondary Education and the Directorate of Elementary Education have disseminated notifications specifying the precise dates for school closure. During this allocated period, all elementary and secondary schools across Odisha will be temporarily shuttered, granting both students and educators the opportunity to partake in the vibrant Durga Puja festivities. The slated reopening date for schools is set for October 30.

The government of Odisha has also designated October 14 as a public holiday in observance of Mahalaya, an important day signifying the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a revered period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to ancestral veneration.

Simultaneously, the state of Telangana is poised to observe an extended holiday period from October 14 to October 25 due to the exuberant celebration of Dussehra. As a result, both government and private educational institutions, alongside banks, will remain closed during this period, according to a report by Jagran Josh.

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The festivities surrounding Mahalaya and Durga Puja hold immense significance in various states, including Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Tripura. Mahalaya, falling on October 14, marks the auspicious commencement of Durga Puja. Devotees engage in a multitude of rituals dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, celebrating the conclusion of Pitru Paksha and the onset of Debi Paksha, the age dedicated to the Goddess. Ceremonial baths in revered rivers like the Ganges, fervent prayers, and cultural events are part and parcel of the commemoration.

The grand finale of the Durga Puja festivities culminates with Dussehra, occurring on October 24 this year, which also marks the ninth day of Navratri. The nine-night festival devoted to Goddess Durga will commence on October 15, heralding a time of spiritual rejuvenation and cultural revelry for devotees.