On October 10, several private and public sector banks across India will be closed in observance of Maha Saptami, an important day during Durga Puja. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a bank holiday in specific states, marking this occasion as part of the Durga Puja/Dussehra festivities.
Banks to Remain Shut in Select States
Banks in states like Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, and West Bengal will remain closed on this day to celebrate Durga Puja. However, in other parts of the country, banks will operate as usual. Maha Saptami is the seventh day of Durga Puja, marking the beginning of the grand worship, known as Maha Puja. According to Hindu mythology, this day signifies the start of Goddess Durga’s battle with the demon king Mahishasura.
Banking Services Still Available
Although branches in these states will be closed, essential banking services such as online banking, UPI transactions, ATMs, and mobile banking applications will continue to function. Customers can access their accounts and manage transactions through:
Net banking
ATMs
Mobile banking apps
Bank websites
Upcoming Bank Holidays in October
In addition to October 10, there are other upcoming holidays in various states. Some notable dates are:
October 11: Mahanavami
October 12: Dussehra and second Saturday
October 13: Sunday (weekly holiday)
October 14: Durga Puja (Dasin) and Dussehra (Gangtok)
October 16: Laxmi Puja (Agartala, Kolkata)
October 17: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
October 20: Sunday (weekly holiday)
October 26: Accession Day (Jammu and Kashmir) and fourth Saturday
October 27: Sunday (weekly holiday)
October 31: Diwali (Deepavali), Kali Puja, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Birthday, Naraka Chaturdashi
Checking Bank Holidays
RBI releases a list of bank holidays each month, categorized under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Real-Time Gross Settlement Holiday, and Banks’ Closing of Accounts. It is advisable to check the RBI’s official website for a detailed holiday schedule, particularly when planning visits to bank branches.