Schools closed in these states, union territories for Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti 2026

Schools in several Indian states and union territories will observe a holiday on Monday, October 26, 2026, to celebrate Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. The official holiday list includes Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab as full holidays for the occasion. However, in many states, it is listed as an optional holiday, meaning private and CBSE/ICSE schools may not follow the closure.

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti commemorates the birth of Maharishi Valmiki, the revered poet who authored the Indian epic Ramayana and holds the title of Adi Kavi, or the first poet in Sanskrit literature. Students and parents are advised to consult their respective schools and latest circulars issued by authorities for confirmation of the holiday status.