Ahmedabad: 21-day long Diwali vacation is scheduled to begin this year on October 28. In many schools the vacation has been effective from today. The tradition of Diwali vacation in schools is mostly limited to Gujarat State. In other states there’s Christian influence on school system and vacation is given during Christmas.

With Diwali vacation, the first half of academic year which begins in mid of June is considered over. Post Diwali vacation the second half of academic year begins.

The schools across Gujarat will reopen on 17 November after 21-day long vacation. During the Diwali vacation, children will play but also do Diwali homework which use to be long. Tourist places will see large number of Gujarati tourists everywhere. Popular domestic destinations are Somnath, Gir and Kutch.

This year, Gujarat Tourism has started Rann Utsav earlier to get maximum benefit of tourist rush to Kutch during Diwali vacation.

With schools, all colleges are also now on Diwali vacation.

In Gujarat, Diwali is celebrated not for one or two days but at least for five days contrary to other states. On the next day of Diwali, there’s Gujarati Hindu new year as per Vikram Samvat calendar. This Diwali, the calendar year 2072 will be over. The new year day post Diwali in Gujarat is called ‘Bestu Varsh’ with which Gujarati Hindu Virkam Samvat calendar year begins.

DeshGujarat