Himachal Pradesh Declares Oct 29 Holiday for Karwa Chauth

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Wednesday, 28 October 2026

The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a public holiday across the state on October 29 to mark the festival of Karwa Chauth.

An order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) stated that the holiday would apply to government offices, boards, corporations, schools, colleges and universities, allowing employees to celebrate the occasion.

The notification was issued under the directions of the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and signed by Additional Secretary (GAD) Harish Gaija.

Key Highlights:

• Himachal Pradesh declares October 29 a Karwa Chauth holiday for male and female employees
• The holiday covers government offices, schools, colleges, boards and public sector corporations
• Commercial banks will remain open, as the holiday is not covered under the Negotiable Instruments Act

The holiday will cover state government departments, public sector undertakings and educational institutions. However, it does not fall under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, so commercial banks will remain open and operate as usual.

The holiday has been declared by the state government to allow its employees to celebrate 'Karwa Chauth' day, observed by families on which the married women pray for long life, health and welfare of the husband.

Women dressed in their finest clothes, including red, and decorated with ornaments and came together around local water sources as if in tradition and marked the occasion. They also engaged in rituals and prayers, and later in bhajans, dancing in a jubilant manner.

The government's official holiday calendar shows that October 29 is a Thursday and that Karva Chauth is a holiday for women employees. The new move, announced on Wednesday by several news agencies, applies to male workers too. It's a similar move after Raksha Bandhan, when the Sukhu government extended the holiday to men. The new change allows for additional staff to participate in family activities.

The expanded holiday includes state government offices, as well as schools and colleges in HP, according to reports. There are also government boards, corporations and educational institutions in the original holiday framework. People living in the area should ask each institution individually about any special arrangements as there may be differences in operating hours, etc., at some private institutions and essential services.

What will be the bank holiday on the Karwa Chauth? This will need to be verified separately. All but banks don't automatically close for a state government holiday. Bank notices and the holidays announced by the Reserve Bank of India decide the closure of branches. Please check with your local branch before going.