Bank Holiday on September 4: RBI Declares Leave in Kerala for Onam Festival
If you are planning to visit your bank today, you may need to hold on. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) official holiday calendar, Thursday, September 4, 2025, will be observed as a bank holiday in Kerala on the occasion of Onam, the state’s biggest and most celebrated festival. While this holiday does not apply nationwide, it will impact both public sector and private sector banks operating in Kerala.
As per RBI’s classification under the Negotiable Instruments Act, banks across the state of Kerala, including major cities such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, will remain closed for the day. Customers in other states, however, need not worry—banks elsewhere in India will operate as usual. This means account holders and businesses in Kerala will need to adjust their financial plans accordingly, especially for tasks like cash withdrawals, loan applications, or document verification that require a physical visit to the bank branch.
Onam is not just a festival; it is a cultural symbol of Kerala. Celebrated with grandeur, Onam is held every year in honor of King Mahabali, a legendary ruler believed to visit his people during this time. The festivities last several days, with the Thiruvonam day marking the most important celebration. Families decorate their homes with Pookalam (floral designs), prepare traditional feasts called Onam Sadhya, and participate in cultural events including music, dance, and the famous Vallamkali (snake boat races).
Due to the scale of this celebration, institutions including banks, government offices, and several businesses remain shut, allowing employees and citizens to fully immerse themselves in the festival.
RBI’s list highlights multiple holidays across India in September, with each state observing different days based on local traditions and festivals. Here are some key dates:
September 3, 2025 (Wednesday): Karma Puja in Ranchi
September 4, 2025 (Thursday): Onam in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
September 5, 2025 (Friday): Eid-e-Milad and Thiruvonam in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad
September 6, 2025 (Saturday): Eid-e-Milad/Indrajatra in Gangtok, Jammu, Raipur, and Srinagar
September 12, 2025 (Friday): Eid-e-Milad (post-celebration holiday) in Jammu and Srinagar
September 22, 2025 (Monday): Navratri Sthapana in Jaipur
September 23, 2025 (Tuesday): Maharaja Hari Singh Jayanti in Jammu and Srinagar
September 29, 2025 (Monday): Maha Saptami/Durga Puja in Agartala, Gangtok, and Kolkata
September 30, 2025 (Tuesday): Maha Ashtami/Durga Ashtami across multiple cities including Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, and Kolkata
Along with festival holidays, customers should also take note of weekly offs. Banks across India will remain closed on:
September 7 (Sunday)
September 13 (Second Saturday)
September 14 (Sunday)
September 21 (Sunday)
September 27 (Fourth Saturday)
September 28 (Sunday)
While online banking, UPI payments, mobile wallets, and ATMs will remain unaffected, certain transactions may still face delays due to the holiday. For instance, RTGS, NEFT, and cheque clearances may not be processed until the next working day in Kerala.
If you are in Kerala and have urgent financial work, it is best to rely on digital banking services or plan visits to your bank branch after the holiday. Customers in other states can continue their banking activities without any disruption.
On September 4, banks will be closed only in Kerala for Onam celebrations. This is a regional holiday declared by the RBI, and banking operations will continue normally in the rest of the country.
With multiple holidays lined up in September, customers are advised to check RBI’s holiday calendar for their state and plan important financial tasks in advance.
