Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 16: The Hindu Rashtra Shakti organization has submitted a formal request to the Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seeking the declaration of October 28, 2025, as a public holiday in observance of Chhath Puja.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, State President Rakeshwar Lall stated that Chhath Puja is one of the most significant festivals in India, celebrated with deep devotion and reverence, especially among people from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The four-day festival, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, symbolizes purity, gratitude, and harmony with nature.
The letter highlights that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands witness vibrant celebrations of the festival, particularly at Corbyn’s Cove Beach, where devotees gather to perform traditional rituals, take holy dips, and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. The celebrations, organized mainly by the Bhojpuri Samaj, Uttar Pradesh Samaj, Bihar Samaj, and Jharkhand Samaj, are marked by cultural programs, folk songs, and community feasts that bring together people from diverse backgrounds.
Mr. Lall emphasized that granting a public holiday on October 28 would allow devotees to observe the festival without restrictions and strengthen the spirit of social unity, cultural harmony, and communal participation across the islands.
“The declaration of a holiday for Chhath Puja will not only bring joy to thousands of residents but also showcase the administration’s respect for India’s rich cultural traditions,” the letter noted.
The organization has expressed hope that the Lt. Governor will consider the appeal favorably and announce the holiday in due course.
