Diwali 2024: What's Open, What's Closed - Check Banks, Stock Market And School Holiday

Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated as Deepawali, brings a nationwide wave of joy on October 31 this year. With devotees preparing for the festivities on Thursday, Acharya Satyendra Maharaj, the chief priest of Ayodhya's Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, clarified the festival date in an interview with ANI. Aligning with the Drik Panchang calendar, Diwali celebrations will indeed occur on October 31. Here's a rundown of what will remain open or closed across various sectors.

Stock Market Schedule

While Diwali celebrations will be underway, the Indian equity markets will open for regular trading on Thursday, October 31. However, currency and derivative trading will pause for a holiday on Friday, November 1. For Muhurat Trading, a symbolic session marking prosperity, the commodity derivatives segment will open briefly on November 1 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, as per the BSE holiday calendar.

Liquor Shops

In the national capital, all liquor shops will be closed on October 31. This closure follows Delhi's regulations around national holidays and festive observances.

Schools and Colleges

Schools and colleges in Delhi will observe a Diwali holiday on October 31. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has declared a two-day school holiday on October 31 and November 1, giving students an extended break for the festival.

Bank Holiday Schedule for Diwali

Here's a look at the state-wise closures for banks across India:

• October 31: Banks will be closed in states including Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. However, banks in Tripura, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Manipur, Jammu, Kashmir, and Meghalaya will remain open.
• November 1: Diwali-related closures will affect banks in Tripura, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Manipur, coinciding with festivities like Kut Festival and Kannada Rajyotsava.
• November 2: Banks will observe holiday closures in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh for events such as Bali Pratipada, Balipadyami, Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, and Vikram Samvat New Year Day.

Extended Bank Holidays

Some regions will experience extended bank closures around Diwali. Banks in Karnataka and Maharashtra will remain shut for four consecutive days from Thursday, October 31, through Sunday, November 3. Similarly, banks in Uttarakhand and Sikkim will have three days of closure from November 1 to November 3.

As India prepares for Diwali 2024, these schedules provide guidance on what to expect for closures and openings in various sectors, ensuring a smooth and festive celebration.