Students in parts of Tamil Nadu will have extra holidays in July and August as district administrations have announced local holidays for major regional festivals. Schools, colleges and government offices in Tenkasi district will remain closed on 28 July 2026 due to Aadi Thapasu festival at Sankarankovil Sri Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple.A local festival has also been announced in Namakkal district on August 3, 2026, in view of the celebration of Valvil Orivizha. District Collectors in Tamil Nadu are authorized to declare local holidays for important events such as temple festivals, mosque-related occasions and church celebrations, apart from regular government holidays.28th July party for Sankarankovil Aadi Thapasu festivalTenkasi district administration has declared Tuesday, July 28, 2026 as a local holiday for all state government offices and institutions, including schools and colleges, due to Aadi Thapasu festival at Ami Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple in Sankarankovil.The Aadi Thapasu festival is one of the major religious celebrations of Sankarankovil and attracts thousands of devotees every year. The festival marks the penance (Thapasu) performed by Goddess Gomathi Ambal to witness Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu appear as a single unified deity known as Sankaranarayanan.The festival reaches its peak during the Thapasu observing rituals and grand chariot events, resulting in a large gathering of devotees from different regions. Considering the scale of the celebrations and public participation, the district administration has declared it a local holiday.The holiday notification also states that if any government exam is scheduled on July 28, the holiday will not apply to students appearing for those exams, teachers and officials involved in exam duties.Since the holiday has not been declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, banks will continue their operations. The District Treasury and subordinate histories will operate with minimum staff to handle urgent work related to public securities.To make up for the holiday, Tenkasi District Collector Ranjeet Singh has announced that Saturday, August 1, 2026 will be observed as a working day in the district.3rd August holiday is announced at Valvil Orivizha in NamakkalNamakkal district administration has declared Monday, August 3, 2026 as a local holiday for schools, colleges and government offices due to the celebration of Valvil Orivizha.The annual festival is organized by the government to honor King Ori, who was among the seven Vallalas of Kollimalai Kadai and is remembered for his bravery and generosity.To compensate for the declared holiday, Saturday, August 8, 2026 has been announced as a working day in Namakkal district.Aadi Perukku celebrations during the Tamil month of AadiAugust 3 also coincides with Aadi Perukku, also known as Pathinettam Perukku, an important monsoon festival celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi.The festival is associated with rivers, water resources and the arrival of the monsoon season. People offer prayers, flowers and traditional food preparations like Chitrannam to rivers and water bodies, seeking agricultural prosperity and family well-being.In the Tenkasi region, the monsoon season also attracts visitors to Courtallam Falls. During this period, families and tourists visit the falls, while cultural activities are organized as part of Saral Vizha’s seasonal celebrations.