Declare Chhath Puja Maha Parv a Gazetted Public Holiday Across Haryana
The Issue
To: The Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Haryana; the Chief Secretary to Government of Haryana; and the concerned department responsible for the State's holiday notifications.
Our appeal
We, the undersigned citizens, residents and devotees, respectfully request the Government of Haryana to declare Chhath Puja Mahaparv a two-day gazetted public holiday across the State of Haryana.
As a minimum and immediate consideration, we request that the day of Usha Arghya (morning offering to the rising Sun) be declared a gazetted public holiday, even if a two-day holiday cannot be granted at this stage.
Why a two-day holiday is important
Chhath Puja is a sacred festival of faith, devotion, discipline and gratitude to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. It is observed by families across India and by communities residing in Haryana, including Faridabad, Gurugram and other parts of the state.
The Mahaparv involves a sequence of traditional observances, including Nahay-Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya at sunset and Usha Arghya at sunrise. These rituals are deeply connected to the setting and rising Sun, and devotees undertake fasting, preparations and family observances over several days.
The two principal Arghya rituals take place on consecutive occasions: Sandhya Arghya in the evening and Usha Arghya the following morning. Devotees often need to travel to designated ghats or water bodies, participate in evening worship and remain prepared for the early-morning offering before sunrise.
A two-day public holiday would enable devotees to participate in both principal Arghya rituals without undue conflict with working-day commitments. It would also allow families to observe the festival together and return safely from their places of worship.
Our specific requests
We respectfully request the Government of Haryana to:
Primary request: Declare two days as gazetted public holidays for Chhath Puja Mahaparv throughout Haryana, covering the principal observances of Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya.
Minimum request: If a two-day holiday is not administratively feasible, declare at least the day of Usha Arghya as a statewide gazetted public holiday.
Include the applicable holiday or holidays in the State's annual gazetted holiday notification, with timely publication so that government departments, institutions and residents can plan accordingly.
Consider appropriate implementation across state government offices and institutions covered by the notification, and alignment with other institutional holiday calendars wherever administratively applicable.
Review the existing classification of Chhath Puja and take a considered decision in recognition of the festival's religious and cult
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The Issue
To: The Hon'ble Chief Minister, Government of Haryana; the Chief Secretary to Government of Haryana; and the concerned department responsible for the State's holiday notifications.
Our appeal
We, the undersigned citizens, residents and devotees, respectfully request the Government of Haryana to declare Chhath Puja Mahaparv a two-day gazetted public holiday across the State of Haryana.
As a minimum and immediate consideration, we request that the day of Usha Arghya (morning offering to the rising Sun) be declared a gazetted public holiday, even if a two-day holiday cannot be granted at this stage.
Why a two-day holiday is important
Chhath Puja is a sacred festival of faith, devotion, discipline and gratitude to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. It is observed by families across India and by communities residing in Haryana, including Faridabad, Gurugram and other parts of the state.
The Mahaparv involves a sequence of traditional observances, including Nahay-Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya at sunset and Usha Arghya at sunrise. These rituals are deeply connected to the setting and rising Sun, and devotees undertake fasting, preparations and family observances over several days.
The two principal Arghya rituals take place on consecutive occasions: Sandhya Arghya in the evening and Usha Arghya the following morning. Devotees often need to travel to designated ghats or water bodies, participate in evening worship and remain prepared for the early-morning offering before sunrise.
A two-day public holiday would enable devotees to participate in both principal Arghya rituals without undue conflict with working-day commitments. It would also allow families to observe the festival together and return safely from their places of worship.
Our specific requests
We respectfully request the Government of Haryana to:
Primary request: Declare two days as gazetted public holidays for Chhath Puja Mahaparv throughout Haryana, covering the principal observances of Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya.
Minimum request: If a two-day holiday is not administratively feasible, declare at least the day of Usha Arghya as a statewide gazetted public holiday.
Include the applicable holiday or holidays in the State's annual gazetted holiday notification, with timely publication so that government departments, institutions and residents can plan accordingly.
Consider appropriate implementation across state government offices and institutions covered by the notification, and alignment with other institutional holiday calendars wherever administratively applicable.
Review the existing classification of Chhath Puja and take a considered decision in recognition of the festival's religious and cult
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Petition created on 25 October 2026