Sri Vijaya Puram, November 10: Mr. Rakeshwar Lall, State President, Hindu Rashtra Shakti, has written to the Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, demanding that Chhath Puja (Pratihar Shashthi / Surya Shashthi) be declared a public holiday in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on the lines of Delhi.
In the letter, it has been stated that Chhath Mahaparv is one of the most sacred and deeply revered festivals of the Hindu community, especially for the people belonging to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and other states, a large number of whom have been settled in these Islands for decades and have contributed immensely to the development of these Islands. The festival is observed with strict fasting, purity, devotion and the offering of Arghya to Lord Surya.
Mr. Rakeshwar Lall has mentioned in the letter that the Government of NCT of Delhi, vide Notification F. No. 53/876/GAD/CN/2026/6376-6418 dated yesterday (November 9, 2026), has declared November 16, 2026 (Monday) a holiday in all Government Offices, Autonomous Bodies and Public Sector Undertakings under the Government of NCT of Delhi on account of Pratihar Shashthi or Surya Shashthi (Chhath Puja).
He said that Hindu Rashtra Shakti has been requesting the Administration for the last three years to declare Chhath Puja a public holiday in these Islands as well, and this year too the same request has been raised again.
Hindu Rashtra Shakti has requested the Administration to declare Chhath Puja (November 16, 2026) a public holiday in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands for all Government Offices, Schools, Colleges, Autonomous Bodies and Public Sector Undertakings, on the same lines as Delhi, so that the devotees can observe the fast and perform the rituals with full devotion and without any difficulty, a press release issued by the Office Secretary, Hindu Rashtra Shakti, said.
