: The State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to declare October 21 a holiday for educational institutions in connection with the Navarathri puja rituals.
The decision was taken in the light of a letter written by Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair and others urging the government to declare a holiday on October 21. This year, the “Pujavaippu” ritual is to begin from October 20 evening on account of the peculiar movement of stars. Usually, “Pujavaippu” is held on the evening of Durgashtami and ‘‘Pujaeduppu’’ is held on Vijayadashmi day. Books are kept for puja and students are not supposed to read or learn during this period.
In its calendar of holidays, the government had announced holidays on October 21, 22 and 23 on account of Durgashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadashami. As a result of this, there will be holidays from October 20 to 25. October 24 is Muharram and October 25 is a Sunday. Government offices and banks will have holidays from October 21.
