As the country gears up for the festival of lights, banks in several cities across India will remain closed on October 20, 21, 22, and 23 to celebrate Diwali and the associated festivities of Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued region-specific holiday schedules under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which vary across states based on local customs and religious observances.

Banks Closed Today In These Cities

On October 20, banks are closed in several parts of the country including Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, New Delhi, Panaji, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vijayawada. The closure coincides with the main day of Diwali festivities and Laxmi Puja in many regions.

Consecutive Closures During The Diwali Week

The festival week brings multiple consecutive bank holidays. On October 21, which marks Govardhan Puja, banks will remain closed in Mumbai, Belapur, Nagpur, Srinagar, and several other cities. This will be followed by holidays on October 22 and 23 for Bhai Dooj and Chitragupt Jayanti in select states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.

It’s important to note that bank holidays are not uniform across India — they differ depending on regional festivities and state notifications. While physical branches may remain shut, digital services such as internet banking, ATMs, and UPI transactions will continue to operate as usual, ensuring seamless financial access during the holidays.

Regular Weekend Holidays

After the festive holidays, the fourth Saturday on October 25 and Sunday on October 26 will also be routine bank holidays. As a result, customers should plan any branch-related banking activities either before October 20 or between October 24 and 25 to avoid inconvenience.

Bank Closures For Chhath Puja And Other Regional Festivals

The festive period extends beyond Diwali with Chhath Puja on October 27 and 28, leading to bank closures in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal — including cities like Patna, Ranchi, and Kolkata. The month concludes with another holiday on October 31 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.

Plan Your Banking Schedule In Advance

As several states observe these holidays in succession, visiting bank branches for transactions like cheque deposits, account verification, or loan processing may face delays. Customers are advised to complete essential banking activities early and rely on online platforms for uninterrupted access to financial services throughout the festive period.

 

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