Damauli, July 5 : The Byas municipality has announced a public holiday today on the occasion of Byas Jayanti or Guru Poornima. The decision was taken by the 32nd assembly of the municipality.

As a result, all the municipality and ward offices remain closed today, with only emergency services available, said chief administrative officer Dinesh Raj Pant. The municipality is also organizing a variety of programmes to observe the day today.RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept 15: The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a public holiday on September 18 in the eight Tarai districts which are going to the polls under the third phase local-level election.

The Council of Ministers had on September 11 decided to give public holiday in the eight districts of the Tarai on the election day, September 18.

A notice issued by the Ministry today states that a decision has been made to give a public holiday at the government and semi-government offices as well as public corporations in those districts.

The third phase local-level election is being held in Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa districts of Province No 2 on September 18. RSS

Kathmandu: Government has decided to grant a public holiday tomorrow on the occasion of Chhath festival.
Issuing a communiqué today, Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the nationwide public holiday for Friday to celebrate Chhath festival.
The festival is observed most elaborately in Terai regions of Nepal including in Bihar and Jharkhand states of India.
People of Terai celebrate Chhath festival in the capital city too by congregating around ponds and streams in Ranipokhari, Thapathali, Aurighat, Balkhu, including other places.
Chhath is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya.The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress.
In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.
The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.