If you’re planning a visit to the bank on Thursday, October 3, 2024, and happen to live in Rajasthan, you’ll need to postpone your plans. All public and private sector banks in the state will remain closed on this day due to the observance of two significant celebrations: Sharadiya Navratri and Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti. While these festivals are marked with fervour in Rajasthan, banks in other states will continue to function as usual. However, with online banking services still available, most routine transactions can still be managed.
What’s the reason for the holiday?
On October 3, two important occasions coincide, leading to the closure of banks in Rajasthan:
Sharadiya Navratri: This Hindu festival marks the beginning of the Navratri celebrations dedicated to Goddess Durga. Observed across the country, the festival lasts for nine days, culminating in Dussehra. It’s a period filled with fasting, prayers, and celebrations, especially in North India. In Rajasthan, Navratri is particularly significant, with many banks and businesses taking a day off to honour the festival.
Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti: This day commemorates Maharaja Agrasen, a legendary king believed to have laid the foundations of the Agrawal community. Maharaja Agrasen is revered for his economic reforms and emphasis on fairness in trade. His contributions are remembered by various communities, particularly in Rajasthan, where his birth anniversary is widely celebrated.
Bank holiday schedule for October 2024
October is a month packed with festivals, which means there are several bank holidays lined up. Here’s a quick overview of when banks will be closed across different states:
- October 2: Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti / Mahalaya Amavasya – Nationwide holiday
- October 3: Sharadiya Navratri / Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti – Banks closed in Rajasthan only
- October 6: Weekly Holiday (Sunday)
- October 10-12: A three-day holiday period in various regions due to Maha Saptami, Durga Ashtami, Ayudha Puja, and Vijayadashami (Dussehra). Banks in West Bengal, Assam, and other regions with strong Durga Puja traditions will be closed.
- October 13: Weekly Holiday (Sunday)
- October 14: Durga Puja (Observed in Gangtok)
- October 16: Lakshmi Puja (Agartala, Kolkata)
- October 17: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti / Kati Bihu – Holiday in select states
- October 20: Weekly Holiday (Sunday)
- October 26: Acquisition Day in Jammu and Kashmir / Fourth Saturday
- October 27: Weekly Holiday (Sunday)
- October 31: Diwali / Kali Puja / Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti / Narak Chaturdashi – Major holidays in several states
Impact on banking services
While banks in Rajasthan will remain closed on October 3, other states will not observe this holiday. Importantly, all online banking services will continue to function as usual, meaning customers can still carry out routine tasks like fund transfers, checking account balances, and paying bills via mobile apps and internet banking platforms.
However, services that require a physical visit to the bank, such as depositing checks, withdrawing large sums of cash, or meeting with bank representatives, will be unavailable in Rajasthan on this day. For residents outside of Rajasthan, it’s business as usual unless you’re planning to visit a bank in a state where other holidays fall in October.
