Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Virudhunagar Schools Closed August 14 for Aadi Pooram Festival
Every year on August 15, India celebrates Independence Day, a national holiday when the whole country has the day off.
The day before, August 14, is not usually a holiday everywhere.
But in one district called Virudhunagar in the state of Tamil Nadu, schools will be closed on August 14.
This is because of a special festival called Aadi Pooram.
Aadi Pooram is the birthday of Goddess Andal, a famous saint who loved Lord Vishnu.
The festival is celebrated with great joy in the ancient Andal temple in the town of Srivilliputhur.
In Punjab, schools and offices will be closed on August 15 and 16, which are Saturday and Sunday.
In Delhi, most schools will stay open on August 14 unless they send a special notice.
Some schools in other places may also be closed because of heavy rain.
August 14, 2026, is not a nationwide school holiday in India, though Independence Day on August 15 is a national holiday.
The District Collector of Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu announced a holiday for all government and private schools on August 14.
The holiday marks Aadi Pooram (Andal Jayanthi), the birth anniversary of Goddess Andal, celebrated at the ancient Andal temple in Srivilliputhur.
In Punjab, schools, colleges, and government offices will remain closed on August 15 and 16, with no holiday announced for August 14.
Delhi has no blanket holiday for August 14, so schools are expected to operate normally unless individual schools issue notices.
- Who
- Students and parents across India; the District Collector of Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu
- What
- Virudhunagar schools will be closed on August 14 for Aadi Pooram, while August 14 is not a nationwide holiday
- When
- Friday, August 14, 2026, ahead of Independence Day on August 15
- Where
- India — Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- The holiday observes Aadi Pooram (Andal Jayanthi), the birth anniversary of Goddess Andal
- Event
- Aadi Pooram / Andal Jayanthi (birth anniversary of Goddess Andal)
- Date
- August 14, 2026 (Friday)
- Location
- Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu
- Announced by
- District Collector of Virudhunagar
- Affected schools
- All government and private schools in Virudhunagar district
- Punjab closures
- August 15 and 16 (Saturday and Sunday); no August 14 holiday
- Delhi status
- No blanket holiday; schools operate normally unless individual notices are issued
- Uttar Pradesh status
- Schools reopened August 13 after Kanwar Yatra concluded