Delhi government declares public holiday on October 27 to mark Chhath Puja 2025

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that October 27 (Monday), will be a public holiday across the city to mark the auspicious occasion of the Chhath festival. The decision, shared by the Chief Minister’s Office, ensures that families and communities observing the festival can participate fully in the important rituals of this sacred celebration.​

Chhath Puja is a revered Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, most widely celebrated in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, as well as parts of Delhi with large migrant populations. The festival



spans four days of elaborate rituals, including fasting, holy baths, and offering prayers to the rising and setting sun. Many ghats along the Yamuna are prepared for large gatherings, with special arrangements for safety and hygiene.​

October 27 marks the third day of the festival, known as “Sandhya Arghya,” when devotees perform evening prayers to the setting sun- considered one of the most important rituals. This ceremonial offering is carried out standing waist-deep in water, often with family and friends, and symbolises gratitude, purification, and the well-being of loved ones.​