Chhath Puja school holiday on Nov 16: Delhi shut, states differ
Delhi has declared 16 November 2026 a holiday for Chhath Puja. Bihar and Jharkhand schools stay shut, while Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra vary. State-wise list.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
Delhi has declared Monday, 16 November 2026, a public holiday for Chhath Puja, and its government, aided and recognised private schools are closed. Bihar and Jharkhand schools are also on festive breaks. Uttar Pradesh has no confirmed statewide order, and Maharashtra schools are expected to reopen.
Key facts
- Delhi declared 16 November 2026 a public holiday for Chhath Puja, with classes resuming on 17 November.
- Bihar government and aided schools are closed from 7 to 17 November and reopen on 18 November.
- No statewide school closure has been confirmed in Uttar Pradesh, though eastern districts may observe a holiday.
- Bank closures for Chhath on 16 November vary by state and city and are not nationwide.
- Devotees offered the evening arghya on 15 November after a 36-hour nirjala fast.
Which states have a school holiday on 16 November?
Delhi: The government declared 16 November 2026 a public holiday for Pratihar Shashthi or Surya Shashthi, popularly known as Chhath Puja. The Directorate of Education told government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools to observe it. The order was issued on 13 November, and classes resume on 17 November.
Bihar: Government and government-aided schools are scheduled to be closed from 7 to 17 November under the state's 2026 holiday calendar, covering Diwali, Chitragupta Puja, Bhai Dooj and Chhath. They reopen on 18 November. Private schools may follow their own calendars.
Jharkhand: Reported state schedules list 15, 16 and 17 November as holidays for the festival. Private schools should confirm the reopening date.
Where do schools stay open or vary?
Uttar Pradesh: Schools may observe a holiday in eastern districts such as Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Ballia and Deoria, where the festival is widely celebrated. A separate statewide order has not been confirmed, so parents should check with district administrations and schools.
West Bengal: Schools are reported to stay closed from 16 to 20 November for regional festivities including Jagadhatri Puja, but the schedule may differ across institutions.
Maharashtra: Schools had a 13-day Diwali vacation from 2 to 14 November, and regular classes are expected to resume on 16 November. Where no statewide closure is confirmed, schools are expected to follow their usual calendars or local instructions.
Are banks and the Delhi Metro affected?
The Times of India reports that bank branches in some cities will be closed on Monday for Chhath, but the holiday is not nationwide and varies by state and city.
NDTV reports that Delhi Metro will start services early on the final day of Chhath Puja. The article text was not available to us.
Where Chhath Puja stands
On 15 November, devotees offered the first arghya to the setting sun at river ghats and water bodies across the country, including the Gomti river in Lucknow. The vrat is a 36-hour waterless fast that begins with nahay-khay and continues through kharna before the main arghya. NDTV India has also published a piece on the sunrise time and muhurat for the Usha Arghya.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a school holiday in Delhi on 16 November 2026?
Yes. Delhi declared it a public holiday for Chhath Puja, and schools resume on 17 November.
Are schools closed in Bihar on 16 November?
Government and government-aided schools in Bihar are closed from 7 to 17 November and reopen on 18 November.
Is there a bank holiday for Chhath on 16 November?
Only in some cities. The holiday is not applicable nationwide, and closures vary by state and city.
Are schools closed across Uttar Pradesh?
No statewide closure has been confirmed. Eastern districts may observe a holiday, so check with your district administration or school.
