Sri Vijaya Puram, November 14: Hindu Rashtra Shakti, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has expressed its gratitude to the Administration for declaring Monday, November 16, 2026, a public holiday on account of Pratihar Shashthi or Surya Shashthi (Chhath Puja) in all Government offices, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings and educational institutions under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, according to a press release issued by the organisation. The holiday has been notified vide Notification No. 308/2026/F.No. M-17027/6/2022-O/o AS(GA)-Sectt. dated November 14, 2026, issued by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Secretariat, Sri Vijaya Puram. Under the notification, the restricted holiday earlier declared on November 15, 2026 (Sunday), vide Notification No. 91/2025 dated November 12, 2025, will now be treated as a public holiday on November 16, 2026.
The organisation said it had been raising the demand continuously for the last three years on behalf of the large number of devotees from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and other states who have been settled in the Islands for decades and have contributed immensely to their development. This year too, a representation was submitted on the lines of Delhi Government Notification No. 53/876/GAD/CN/2026/6376-6418 dated November 9, 2026, under which the Government of NCT of Delhi declared November 16, 2026, a holiday for Chhath Puja.
State President (Pradesh Adhyaksh) Mr. Rakeshwar Lal thanked Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma for his consideration and for approving the holiday, and Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray for his constant support and for taking up the devotees’ demand with the Administration. The organisation also thanked the Section of the Assistant Secretary (GA), Secretariat, which pursued the file promptly so that the notification could be issued in time.
Hindu Rashtra Shakti also thanked Andaman Sheekha and Nicobar Times for publishing its demand for a public holiday on Chhath Puja over the last three years. It said it was due to their sustained coverage and support that the demand was considered this time and the notification issued.
The decision will enable thousands of devotees in the Islands to observe the fast and perform the rituals of Chhath Mahaparv without any difficulty, the organisation said. It once again thanked the Lieutenant Governor, the Member of Parliament, the Administration and the media for what it described as a historic decision.
