As the festival of Holi approaches, many people are wondering whether banks are open today, March 3. Due to Holi celebrations and related regional festivals, bank operations are suspended in several states across India. Along with banks, the stock market is also closed today, making it important for customers to verify the holiday schedule before planning any financial transactions.

According to the holiday calendar issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks remain closed in multiple states on March 3 due to festivals such as Holi (second day), Dol Jatra, Dhulandi, Holika Dahan, and Attukal Pongala. Customers who need to deposit cheques, withdraw cash, or complete any important banking work are advised to confirm the holiday status of their local branch before visiting.

The holiday applies to several states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In these regions, bank services will not be available during regular working hours.

This year, Holi celebrations are taking place on different dates in various parts of the country. In some states, people are celebrating the festival on March 3, while in others it will be observed on March 4 due to astronomical and regional traditions.

On March 3, cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Patna are observing Dhulandi and Dol Jatra, which has led to bank closures. Meanwhile, on March 4, the main Holi celebration will result in banks being closed in major cities including New Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Ranchi.

Because of this variation in festival dates, customers should carefully check the banking schedule in their specific city before planning any transactions.

Apart from banks, the Indian stock markets are also closed today. Both major exchanges, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), are not conducting trading sessions due to the Holi holiday.

However, certain segments of the commodity market may resume trading later depending on the exchange schedule. Investors are advised to keep an eye on updates if they plan to trade after the holiday.

Holi is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and marks the arrival of spring. The second day of Holi, often known as Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is when people play with colors and celebrate with family and friends.

In West Bengal and Assam, the festival is celebrated as Dol Jatra, which includes traditional rituals dedicated to Radha and Krishna along with cultural events. Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Attukal Pongala festival is observed, where millions of women gather to prepare offerings for the deity Attukal Bhagavathy.

These diverse traditions highlight the cultural richness of India and also explain why bank holidays vary from state to state during this period.

If you have urgent banking work such as:

• Depositing cheques

• Withdrawing cash

• Submitting important documents

• Completing loan or account-related tasks

It is recommended to check the RBI holiday list or contact your local branch before visiting. Alternatively, customers can use digital banking services such as mobile banking apps, internet banking, and ATMs, which remain operational even during bank holidays.

March 2026 includes several bank holidays due to regional festivals and national observances. Some of the major upcoming holidays include:

• Holi (Second Day) – March 3

• Holi / Dhulendi – March 4

• Chapchar Kut – March 13

• Shab-e-Qadr – March 17

• Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Telugu New Year – March 19

• Eid-ul-Fitr (depending on moon sighting) – March 20–21

• Ram Navami – March 26

• Mahavir Jayanti – March 31

Since bank holidays differ by state, customers should always refer to the official RBI calendar for the most accurate information.