School Holiday News: As religious fervour spreads across India this week, two major festivals have prompted official school holidays in different states. Schools in several districts of Uttar Pradesh have been ordered shut from July 16 to 23 during the Kanwar Yatra. Following an official notification from the Telangana government, schools across Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and several surrounding districts will observe a general holiday on Monday, July 21, to mark the celebration of Bonalu 2025.
Meanwhile, all schools in Jharkhand’s Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar districts remained closed on July 17 amid incessant rain and a forecast of downpours. Jharkhand has recorded 71 per cent surplus rainfall between June 1 and July 16, according to the rainfall bulletin of India Meteorological Department (IMD), PTI reported.
In view of incessant rainfall across several parts of Dakshina Kannada district, authorities have declared a holiday for all schools and Anganwadi centres in multiple taluks on Thursday. According to an official announcement, PTI reported, government, aided, and private educational institutions — including primary and high schools — in Mangaluru, Ullal, Mulki, Bantwal, Belthangady, Sullia, and Moodbidri taluks will remain closed on July 17. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff. The IMD has predicted more rainfall in the coastal and ghat regions over the next 48 hours. District authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
Moreover, the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has announced monsoon holidays for all schools across the state. All schools in the state will remain closed from July 12, including summer schools and winter schools, schools in Kullu district and schools in extreme heat areas. This includes all schools in Nalagarh, Fatehpur, North Surian, Indora, Paonta Sahib and Amb (Una).
While summer schools in Himachal Pradesh are closed from July 12 to August 12, schools in Kullu district will be closed from July 20 to August 12. Winter schools in Himachal Pradesh will remain closed from August 8 to 12 and extreme summer schools will remain shut between August 3 and 12.
In western UP, districts including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly, Badaun, Varanasi, and others have ordered the closure of all government and private schools, colleges, and even Anganwadi centres from July 16 to 23 to ensure safety and manage traffic disruptions during the Kanwar Yatra.
The month-long pilgrimage sees lakhs of Kanwariyas, or Shiva devotees, walking with sacred Ganga water, especially peaking around Shivratri on July 23, causing congestion and potential hazards on schools’ regular routes.
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Due to the heavy footfall and potential law-and-order concerns during the Kanwar Yatra, Meerut District Magistrate Dr VK Singh has ordered the closure of all recognised schools, including government, private, UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE institutions. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to avoid any disruptions or untoward incidents during the religious procession. Schools will resume normal operations from July 24. The DM has also issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against any school found violating the closure directive.
The District Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar has announced a holiday for all government and private schools in the district from July 16 to July 23. Acting on the DM’s directive, District School Inspector (DIOS) Rajesh Kumar has issued orders to all educational institutions, including those under council, secondary, degree, and technical boards. The closure applies uniformly to schools affiliated with UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE. The administration has clearly stated that any violation of these instructions, by government or private institutions, will invite strict action.
Bonalu is a regional festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali. Celebrated in the month of June and July, this event features processions, folk performances, and offerings of Bonam – pots of rice, milk, sweets to local temples.
(With inputs from PTI)
