Students in some parts of Tamil Nadu will have some holidays in July and August as district administrations have announced local holidays for major district festivals. Schools, colleges and government offices in Tenkasi district will remain closed on July 28, 2026, due to Aadi Thapasu festival at Sankarankovil Sri Sankaranarayanaswamy temple.A local holiday has also been declared in Namkkal district on August 3, 2026, due to the Valvil Orivizha festival. District collectors in Tamil Nadu are allowed to declare local holidays for important events, including temple festivals, mosque-related events and church festivals, apart from regular state holidays.July 28 holiday of Sankarankovil Aadi Thapasu festivalThe Tenkasi district administration has declared Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as a local holiday for all government offices and institutions, including schools and colleges, on account of the Aadi Thapasu festival at the Ami Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple in Sankarankovil.Aadi Thapasu festival is one of the major religious festivals of Sankarankovil and attracts devotees every year. This festival marks the penance (Thapasu) performed by Goddess Gomathi Ambal to witness Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu appearing as one united deity called Sankaranarayanan.The festival culminates in the Thapasu viewing ceremony and the grand procession of chariots, which brings together many devotees from different parts of the world. Considering the scale of the celebrations and the participation of the people, the authorities declared it a special holiday.The holiday notice also said that if any government exam is scheduled on July 28, the holiday will not apply to students taking the exam, teachers and officials participating in the exam.Since no holiday has been declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, banks have continued their operations. The Treasury and local agencies will work with a limited number of employees to manage the activities related to national security.To pay 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.August 3 declared Valvil Orivizha holiday in NamkkalThe Namakkal district administration has declared Monday, August 3, 2026, as a holiday for schools, colleges and government offices due to the Valvil Orivizha festival.An annual festival is organized by the government to honor King Ori, who was one of the seven Vallalas of Kollimalai Kadai and is remembered for his bravery and generosity.In order to pay the declared holiday, Saturday, August 8, 2026, has been declared as a working day in Namkkal district.Aadi Perukku celebrations in the Tamil month of AadiAugust 3 also coincides with Aadi Perukku, also known as Pathinettam Perukku, the main monsoon festival that is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi.The festival is associated with rivers, water and the arrival of the monsoon season. People offer prayers, flowers and prepare traditional foods such as Chitrannam to rivers and water, seeking prosperity in agriculture and family life.In Tenkasi district, the rainy season also attracts tourists to Courtallam Waterfalls. During this time, families and tourists visit the falls, while cultural activities are organized as part of Saral Vizha celebrations.