The Odisha government, on Tuesday, announced a holiday on August 29, a day after Nuakhai festival, which is celebrated with pomp and grandeur in the western parts of the coastal state.
The Higher Education Department of the Government of Odisha, in a separate order on Tuesday stated that all colleges and universities across the state will remain closed on August 29, in addition to August 28, the day of the festival.
Along with higher education institutions, all schools and government offices will also remain shut, as part of the official holiday declaration by the government.
“All Universities and Colleges coming under the Higher Education Department shall remain closed on 29.08.2025 (Friday) on account of “NUA KHAI”. Further, the Principals of the institutions are hereby informed that, as per the Common Academic Calendar issued vide this Department Letter No. 49383 dated 06.12.2024, they shall now be competent to declare only one Local Holiday during the Calendar Year 2025, in place of the earlier provision of two Local Holidays for all Higher Education Institutions,” the notification read.
Along with the holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27, government employees and students would get a five-day break starting August 27, Wednesday to August 31, Sunday.
However, September 13, which is a Saturday, has been declared a working day for government employees.
Notably, Nuakhai is an agrarian festival during which the first crop is offered to the gods. The festival is mainly celebrated in the western districts of Odisha, including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Deogarh and Sundergarh.
