Delhi govt announces public holiday on Nov 7 for Chhath Puja

Saxena wrote that the third day of the four-day festival when offerings are made to the setting sun, had already been designated a restricted holiday. “I urge you that the government declare November 7 (Thursday) as a full (public) holiday and the file related to this be moved at the earliest,” the L-G wrote to the CM.

In an order issued on Friday evening, Atishi issued directions declaring November 7 as a holiday. “Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of Delhi. Therefore, the Delhi government has decided to declare a public holiday on November 7…,” the order stated.

Following this, in a post on X, Atishi said, “I am pleased to announce that the Delhi government has decided to observe a holiday on November 7 for Chhath, so that all Purvanchali brothers and sisters can celebrate the festival with enthusiasm.”

Welcoming the move, Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva said that it was for the first time in 2014 that Chhath was observed as a holiday in Delhi due to the joint efforts of then Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay, MP Manoj Tiwari and other party leaders.

“But after that, the Arvind Kejriwal government has been observing Chhath as a restricted holiday every year. BJP believes that the people of Purvanchal are the backbone of today’s economy and their great festival Chhath should be declared a public holiday. I support and welcome the proposal letter sent by Honorable Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena to the Chief Minister!” Sachdeva said in a post on X.

Chhath is a major festival celebrated in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.