Patna: With the festive season still in full swing, banks across several states will remain closed on October 27 and 28 in observance of Chhath Puja. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) regional holiday list confirms that the closures will mainly affect states where the festival is celebrated with high devotion, Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of West Bengal.
Banks in Bihar and Jharkhand will stay closed for two consecutive days, October 27 (evening Arghya) and October 28 (morning Arghya). In West Bengal, banks will be shut on October 27 for the evening offerings. Operations will continue as usual in other states.
The Four-Day Rituals of Chhath Puja Explained
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, observed mainly in eastern India.
- Nahay Khay (Day 1): Devotees begin by bathing in holy rivers and preparing vegetarian meals to purify the body and soul.
- Kharna (Day 2): Fasting begins, and devotees consume a single meal after sunset, marking the start of spiritual cleansing.
- Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Devotees offer prayers to the setting sun, standing in rivers or ponds.
- Usha Arghya (Day 4): The festival concludes with offerings to the rising sun, symbolising gratitude and renewal.
During these days, many financial institutions and businesses in the region close early or remain shut, as millions of families participate in rituals.
When Will Banks Resume Services?
Banks in Bihar and Jharkhand will reopen on October 29 (Wednesday) after the conclusion of the morning Arghya on October 28. For states like West Bengal, banking operations will resume from October 28 itself.
In regions unaffected by the festival, all public and private sector banks will continue functioning according to regular business hours.
The RBI’s calendar also notes that October 31 will be a state-specific bank holiday in Gujarat to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.
RBI vs SBI: Did India’s biggest banks clash over plagiarism in economic research reports?
What Services Are Impacted During the Bank Holiday?
While banks will not open for in-person transactions during the holidays, digital banking services remain fully operational.
Customers can still perform essential tasks such as:
- Money transfers through UPI, NEFT, and IMPS
- ATM withdrawals and deposits
- Mobile banking and online bill payments
However, certain in-person services, such as large cash deposits, cheque clearances, and demand drafts will not be available during the holiday period.
How to Check If Your Bank Is Open?
Customers can verify whether their local branch is operational by:
- Visiting the official RBI website or checking notifications on the bank’s official portal.
- Using Google Maps or mobile banking apps, which often display holiday updates for specific branches.
- Calling bank customer care numbers or checking local news for state-wise holiday updates.
Even if branches are closed, customers can access their funds and perform transactions seamlessly via ATMs, UPI apps, and internet banking platforms.