The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that banks across several states will remain closed on Monday, October 27, 2025, in observance of the Chhath Puja festival. This traditional festival, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, holds great cultural and religious importance, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of eastern India.
According to the RBI’s official holiday calendar, banks in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal will remain closed on Monday, October 27, due to the evening offerings (Sandhya Arghya) of Chhath Puja. The next day, Tuesday, October 28, will also be a banking holiday in some regions for the morning offerings (Usha Arghya).
This means that people living in these regions may experience limited access to in-person banking services for three consecutive days — from Saturday, October 25 (fourth Saturday) to Monday, October 27, followed by another closure in select areas on Tuesday. While online banking, ATMs, and mobile apps will continue to operate as usual, customers are advised to complete important bank-related work before the holiday stretch.
The Chhath Puja festival is a four-day celebration that begins two days after Diwali. It is dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, believed to be the goddess who grants health, prosperity, and longevity to devotees and their families.
The ritual involves fasting, offering prayers, and presenting water-based offerings (Arghya) to the setting and rising sun. The festival is primarily observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some regions of West Bengal, where public life often comes to a standstill during this time due to massive participation in the rituals.
Considering the cultural significance and public participation, the RBI includes this festival in its list of regional banking holidays for specific states each year.
Here’s a look at the remaining banking holidays this month, as per the RBI’s official schedule:
October 25 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – Banks closed nationwide.
October 26 (Sunday): Weekly holiday – Banks closed.
October 27 (Monday): Chhath Puja (Evening Arghya) – Banks closed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
October 28 (Tuesday): Chhath Puja (Morning Arghya) – Banks closed in Bihar and Jharkhand.
October 31 (Friday): Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti – Banks closed in Gujarat.
The RBI’s holiday list for October shows multiple closures across Indian cities due to regional festivals and national observances. Cities such as Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, and Guwahati have had more holidays this month because of major celebrations like Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.
Meanwhile, metro cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad will remain open on October 27, with normal banking operations continuing.
If you reside in any of the states observing Chhath Puja, it’s advisable to:
Complete all banking transactions, cheque deposits, and cash withdrawals before Saturday.
Use digital platforms such as internet banking, UPI, or mobile apps for urgent transfers.
Plan ahead for any loan EMIs or investment redemptions that may coincide with the holiday period.
While the temporary closure may inconvenience some customers, digital banking channels remain fully functional, ensuring smooth financial transactions throughout the festive period.
Chhath Puja is one of India’s most spiritually significant festivals, celebrated six days after Diwali. Devotees observe strict fasts and offer prayers to the rising and setting sun near rivers, ponds, or lakes. It symbolizes gratitude towards nature and seeks blessings for the family’s prosperity and health.
The festival also underscores the importance of environmental purity and discipline, as participants follow stringent rituals involving cleanliness, fasting, and community harmony.
With RBI declaring October 27 as a bank holiday in select states, customers should plan their financial activities in advance. Though physical branches will be closed in regions celebrating Chhath Puja, digital and ATM services will remain operational, allowing smooth banking access nationwide.
As India celebrates this ancient festival of light and devotion to the Sun, it’s also a reminder of the country’s diverse cultural traditions that shape public life — including our banking schedules.
