Schools in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Telangana are set to remain closed this week due to major religious festivities. While UP districts have announced a week-long holiday for the Kanwar Yatra, Telangana schools will observe a day’s break on July 21 for the Bonalu festival.

As religious celebrations gain momentum across the country, schools in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Telangana are set to remain closed to accommodate the festivities.

KANWAR YATRA TRIGGERS WEEK-LONG SCHOOL CLOSURE IN UP

In Uttar Pradesh, several districts including Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Badaun, Bareilly, and Varanasi have announced the closure of all educational institutions—government and private—from July 16 to July 23. The decision comes in light of the annual Kanwar Yatra, a month-long religious pilgrimage that draws millions of devotees, known as Kanwariyas, who walk long distances carrying holy Ganga water for Lord Shiva.

Given the heavy footfall and expected traffic bottlenecks during the pilgrimage, especially with Shivratri falling on July 23, local administrations have enforced precautionary shutdowns of schools, colleges, and even Anganwadi centres to avoid disruption and ensure safety.

In Meerut, District Magistrate Dr. VK Singh has ordered that all schools affiliated with the UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE remain closed until July 23. The administration has warned of strict action against any institution that violates the directive.

Similar measures have been taken in Muzaffarnagar, where District Magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari, along with DIOS Rajesh Kumar, has issued a notice mandating the closure of all educational bodies—including those under council, secondary, and technical boards—during the same period.

BONALU FESTIVALS BRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY IN TELANGANA

Meanwhile, in Telangana, the state government has declared a general holiday on Monday, July 21, for schools in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and surrounding districts, to mark the vibrant Bonalu festival.

Bonalu is an important regional celebration dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, observed with traditional offerings, folk music, and elaborate temple processions. Women carry decorated pots of food—known as Bonam—to temples as part of the ritual. The festival, typically held in July, sees widespread participation, and authorities have declared the school holiday to allow communities to fully engage in the cultural celebrations.

– Ends