Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival which begins on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month ‘Bhadrapada’, will commence on August 27 this year.
This auspicious ten-day festival starts with ‘Chaturthi’ and ends on ‘Anantha Chaturdashi’. The period is also referred to as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayak Chavithi’. The festival observes Ganesha as ‘God of New Beginnings’ and ‘God of Obstacle Remover’ as well as God of intelligence and wisdom.
Ganesh Chaturthi isn’t merely a religious event; it’s a cultural event. It’s an event that bonds people in happiness and devotion. There is a chant of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ that unites all associated with the celebration, so that the spirit of devotion and connectedness present during Ganesh Chaturthi will stay with the people experiencing it, making it unforgettable.
Which states have declared Ganesh Chaturthi as a public holiday in 2025?
Although the festival is observed throughout India, however, in other parts of Maharashtra, it is celebrated with much joy, fervour, and fanfare, with lakhs of devotees converging into mandals to seek blessings from Lord Ganesh. During the festival, devotees bring Lord Ganesh idols into their homes, conduct fasting, prepare celebratory feasts like modak, visit the pandals, and even provide mouth-watering delicacies during the festival.
Will schools in Maharashtra be closed on August 27 for the festival?
The festival has considerable regional strength in western and southern India and generates substantial public attention. The festival has strong cultural and religious significance, though schools across the country may or may not be closed.
Ganesh Chaturthi isn’t a national holiday in India. Unlike Independence Day or Republic Day, which are celebrated across the country, the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday varies from one state to another. Even in states where the festival is celebrated broadly, schools and institutions get holiday notifications via education departments or school boards, and these can be different from place to place.
The festival is celebrated with great joy in states such as Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. In these states, Ganesh Chaturthi is usually declared as a public holiday, which includes schools or colleges as well. Notably, students must go through the official announcements.
Although Ganesh Chaturthi is a public holiday in some states, there may be different rules at different school levels. For example, while some private schools or schools following a private education board may remain open for the day or hold compensatory classes. There can be differences in holiday policy not only by state, but also by city and by school.
States where schools are likely to remain closed on August 27, 2025, for Ganesh Chaturthi
- Maharashtra
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
It is probable that for states in which Ganesh Chaturthi is a common celebration, most schools will be closed, but nothing has been published officially yet. Parents and students should pay attention to their school circular or the education department announcement.