Students in parts of Tamil Nadu will have additional holidays in July and August as district administrations have announced local holidays for major regional festivals. Schools, colleges and government offices in Tenkasi district will remain closed on July 28, 2026, due to the Aadi Thapasu festival at the Sankarankovil Sri Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple.A local holiday has also been announced in Namakkal district on August 3, 2026, in view of the Valvil Orivizha celebration. District collectors in Tamil Nadu are authorised to declare local holidays for important events, including temple festivals, mosque-related occasions and church celebrations, apart from regular government holidays.July 28 holiday for Sankarankovil Aadi Thapasu festivalThe Tenkasi district administration has declared Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as a local holiday for all state government offices and institutions, including schools and colleges, due to the Aadi Thapasu festival at the Ami Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple in Sankarankovil.The Aadi Thapasu festival is one of the major religious celebrations of Sankarankovil and attracts lakhs of devotees every year. The festival marks the penance (Thapasu) performed by Goddess Gomathi Ambal to witness Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu appearing as a single unified deity known as Sankaranarayanan.The festival reaches its peak during the Thapasu sighting rituals and grand chariot events, resulting in a large gathering of devotees from different regions. Considering the scale of the celebrations and public participation, the district administration has declared the local holiday.The holiday notification also states that if any government examinations are scheduled on July 28, the holiday will not apply to students appearing for those examinations, teachers and officials involved in examination duties.Since the holiday has not been declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, banks will continue their operations. The District Treasury and subordinate treasuries will function with minimum staff to manage urgent government securities-related work.To compensate for the holiday, Tenkasi District Collector Ranjeet Singh has announced that Saturday, August 1, 2026, will be observed as a working day in the district.August 3 holiday announced for Valvil Orivizha in NamakkalThe Namakkal district administration has declared Monday, August 3, 2026, as a local holiday for schools, colleges and government offices due to the Valvil Orivizha celebration.The annual festival is organised by the government to honour King Ori, who was among the seven Vallalas of Kollimalai Kadai and is remembered for his bravery and generosity.To compensate for the declared holiday, Saturday, August 8, 2026, has been announced as a working day in Namakkal district.Aadi Perukku celebrations during Tamil month of AadiAugust 3 also coincides with Aadi Perukku, also known as Pathinettam Perukku, a significant monsoon festival celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi.The festival is associated with rivers, water resources and the arrival of the monsoon season. People offer prayers, flowers and traditional food preparations such as Chitrannam to rivers and water bodies, seeking agricultural prosperity and family well-being.In the Tenkasi region, the monsoon season also attracts visitors to Courtallam Waterfalls. During this period, families and tourists visit the waterfalls, while cultural activities are organised as part of the seasonal Saral Vizha celebrations.
