Diwali Bank Holiday: Are Banks Closed for Govardhan Pooja on October 21, Tuesday?

On Tuesday, 21 October, banks in certain regions of India will not operate due to Diwali Amavasya, Deepawali, and Govardhan Pooja. This closure is in line with the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) state-wise holiday calendar. The affected areas include Belapur, Bhopal, Gangtok, Guwahati, Imphal, Jammu, Mumbai, Nagpur, Raipur, and Srinagar.

Diwali is a significant Hindu festival symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after vanquishing King Ravana. This victory is traditionally celebrated by lighting lamps across homes and streets.

Diwali Celebrations and Dates

This year, Diwali was observed on October 20 in most parts of India. However, some regions are celebrating it today. The festival's date is determined by the Amavasya Tithi, which this year spans from October 20 to October 21.

Govardhan Pooja follows Diwali and honours Lord Krishna's protection of Vrindavan's villagers from storms sent by Indra. On this day, some banks remain closed as part of the celebrations.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in October

Banks close for various national and regional events throughout the month. For instance, on October 22, banks will not operate in cities like Ahmedabad and Bengaluru for Diwali-related festivities such as Vikram Samvant New Year Day and Laxmi Puja.

October 23 sees closures for Bhai Bij and other festivals in cities including Ahmedabad and Kolkata. Later in the month, Chath Puja leads to bank holidays on October 27 and 28 in Kolkata and Patna. Additionally, on October 31, banks will be closed in Ahmedabad to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Birthday.

Banking Services During Holidays

Despite physical branches being closed on holidays, online banking services remain accessible nationwide. Customers can continue to perform financial transactions conveniently using these digital platforms.

Banks also observe regular closures on the second and fourth Saturdays each month along with all Sundays. These scheduled holidays ensure that bank employees have consistent breaks while maintaining essential services through digital means.