Diwali vacation starts in schools and colleges across Gujarat; Tourism season kicks off

Gandhinagar: Diwali vacation in schools and colleges across Gujarat has started today on November 9 on the Gujarati calendar day of Vak Baras(also popularly called Vagh Baras). The vacation shall be 21 days long and end on November 29th, during which the Gujarati Hindu people will celebrate Dhan Teras, Diwali, Bestu Varsh and Bhai Beej.

With vacation beginning today, millions of Gujaratis will start visiting tourist places across Gujarat, India and the world. It’s worth noting, that unlike other parts of the country, Diwali is celebrated in Gujarat for not just Diwali day but for an extended period before and after Diwali. Unlike other parts of the country, the schools in Gujarat don’t observe Christmas vacation, but observe extended Diwali holidays that are known as Diwali vacation.

Gujaratis, as per Vikram Samvat Gujarati calendar celebrate Gujarati new year day after Diwali. After doing huge business ahead of Diwali, the shops and markets remain closed and reopen on Labh Pacham, meaning around five days after Diwali. With vacation in schools and colleges, tourist places see the increasing presence of Gujaratis on travel mode.

The State government has this year declared leave on 13 November which results in continuous holidays for government employees starting from weekend on 11 November to 15 November.

Ahead of Diwali vacation, private airlines have started new flights to tourist destinations including Jaisalmer, Diu, Agra and Port Blair. Railways too have launched dozens of special trains to overcome the demand.

After Diwali vacation, the latter half portion of academic activities will start in schools and colleges across Gujarat.Millions of Gujaratis also travel to their native places during Diwali holidays.

100s of buses are operated from Surat to towns and villages of Saurashtra to ferry diamond industry workers to their native places where they would take a break during Diwali vacation. DeshGujarat