Thanjavur declares March 2 holiday for Masi Magam, Board exams to continue

Schools shut in Thanjavur for Masi Magam as 27,000 students sit Class XII exam

Government offices and educational institutions in Thanjavur district will remain closed on March 2 following the declaration of a local holiday for the Masi Magam festival. The announcement was issued by District Collector Priyanka Pankajam in view of the large-scale celebrations taking place across the district.Despite the holiday, public examinations for Higher Secondary School students will proceed as scheduled. Officials confirmed that the Class XII language examinations will be conducted on March 2 without any change to the timetable issued by the School Education Department.Examinations to proceed as scheduledAccording to the Collector, 26,854 regular students and 637 private candidates are expected to appear for the Class XII language papers. The examinations will be conducted across 118 centres established by the department within the district.Authorities stated that necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations. While schools and certain institutions will remain closed in observance of the festival, examination centres will function exclusively for students appearing for the public exams.An official announcement further clarified that government offices and educational institutions observing the holiday will compensate for the closure by functioning on Saturday, March 14.

Festival centred in KumbakonamMasi Magam is observed when the Magam star aligns with the Tamil month of Masi. The day holds religious importance, with devotees believing that a ceremonial dip in sacred waters cleanses sins and invites divine blessings. The occasion is also linked to the belief that deities descend to bless worshippers.In the district, celebrations are particularly prominent in Kumbakonam, where the Adikumbeswarar Temple serves as the focal point. As part of the principal rituals, festival idols from several Shiva and Vishnu temples are taken in procession to the Mahamagam Tank for the ceremonial theerthavari.Thousands of devotees have gathered to take part in the festivities, with processions and rituals drawing large crowds across key locations in the district. Authorities have made arrangements to manage the influx of worshippers during the celebrations.