UP Declares Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhaiya Dooj as Official Holidays for 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government released its official 2026 holiday calendar on Thursday, designating November 8, 2026, as Diwali, November 9 as Govardhan Puja, and November 11 as Bhaiya Dooj. These dates have been gazetted as public holidays, affecting schools, government offices, and private sector operations across the state. The announcement follows a long-standing tradition of aligning public holidays with major Hindu festivals. Officials noted that the decision aims to provide students and employees with adequate time to observe the celebrations. The calendar is expected to be circulated to educational institutions and employers for planning purposes.