Delhi Government Declares November 16 Public Holiday for Chhath Puja
Key Points
- Notification closes all government offices, autonomous bodies, and PSUs under the NCT administration.
- Authorities prepare over 1,400 ghats with security measures for millions of Purvanchal devotees.
- Schools must verify separate education department directives while general holiday remains in effect.
Editorial Deep Dive & Context
The General Administration Department of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has issued an official notification declaring Monday, November 16, 2026, a public holiday on account of Chhath Puja, also known as Pratihar Shashthi or Surya Shashthi. The order, approved by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and signed by Joint Secretary Pradeep Tayal, mandates the closure of all government offices, autonomous bodies, and Public Sector Undertakings functioning under the NCT administration.
This decision enables government employees and their families to participate in the religious observances associated with the festival. Chhath Puja is a significant four-day Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, deeply rooted in the culture of communities from Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
The holiday coincides with the final day of the celebrations, which run from November 13 to 16. To accommodate the large number of devotees, authorities are preparing over 1,400 ghats across the capital, including a new 11-kilometre-long ghat along the Munak Canal set to be inaugurated by BJP national president Nitin Nabin on November 12. Preparations include installing CCTV cameras, changing rooms, and adequate lighting to ensure safety and convenience for participants. The declaration reflects the demographic significance of the Purvanchal community in Delhi-NCR, where Chhath Puja has emerged as one of the largest community festivals. While the holiday applies uniformly to specified government establishments, schools and educational institutions have been advised to check separate instructions from the education department regarding their specific closure protocols.
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Delhi Government Declares November 16 Public Holiday for Chhath Puja
Delhi officials are finalizing infrastructure preparations at over 1,400 ghats, including a new 11km ghat, ahead of the November 16 holiday declaration