Diwali vacation ends, children back to school across Gujarat

Ahmedabad, 9 November 2014

After 21 days of vacation, schools across Gujarat reopened today. Contrary to other parts of India, Gujarat has a system of Diwali vacation which begins just before Diwali and ends after over two weeks of Diwali(vacation covers Dev Diwali).

This is because in Gujarat, contrary to other states, the people celebrate Diwali for five days and even more. Diwali season hosts many cultural fairs across Gujarat like Lili parikrama in Girnar, Katyok fair in Siddhpur, Shukaltirth fair in Narmada, Vautha fair near Dholka, Shamlaji fair at Shamlaji, Kartiki purnima fair at Somnath etc. Diwali season is also considered a season to travel, as season is pleasant.

One more reason why Diwali vacation is practiced in Gujarat is that the school system is majorly out of the grip of Christian Missionaries, and therefore majority of schools stay away with Christmas vacation and goes for Diwali vacation.

Post-Diwali vacation period is considered the other half of academic year which witnesses prelim and annual exams.