Nadahabba Dasara Mahotsav: Schools closed for 18 days from today

The festive spirit of Karnataka’s renowned Nadahabba Dasara has brought cheer to schoolchildren, as the Education Department has announced the commencement of Dasara holidays from September 20. The order, issued by the state government, applies to all government schools, marking the start of an extended festive break.

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This decision is aimed at allowing children to experience the cultural grandeur and heritage of the world-famous Mysore Dasara Mahotsav. The annual celebrations, deeply rooted in Karnataka’s tradition, will formally begin with the inauguration of the festival at the Chamundeshwari Temple on September 22.

Duration of Holidays

According to the official notification, schools will remain closed for 18 consecutive days, from September 20 to October 7. The break, the longest in the academic calendar outside summer vacation, is designed to give students an opportunity to immerse themselves in festivities and family traditions.
However, the department has clarified that students must compulsorily attend programs scheduled on October 2, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti. Schools will conduct special events on these days, and attendance has been made mandatory.

Celebrating Heritage

By aligning school holidays with the Dasara festival, the government seeks to encourage students to witness and participate in the cultural richness of Mysore’s celebrations. From the traditional Jumbo Savari to folk art performances, the festival is expected to draw lakhs of visitors, making it a learning experience beyond classrooms.