Are banks open or closed in your state on Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj and more? Check state-wise holiday list here

Diwali, the festival of lights, is just around the corner and brings with it a five-day celebration from October 18 to October 23, 2025. However, this year, due to differences in regional calendars, some confusion has arisen regarding the exact date of Diwali. Although Diwali is traditionally celebrated on October 20, some calendars suggest it may fall on October 21. The uncertainty has left many wondering when banks will be closed during the holiday season. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of public holidays for October 2025.

State-wise Bank Holiday Schedule:

• October 18 (Saturday) – Dhanteras: Banks will remain open across the country on Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali celebrations. This day is usually celebrated with the purchase of gold and new items that will bring good luck.
• October 19 (Sunday) – Choti Diwali: Since it is Sunday, all banks will be closed across the country. Choti Diwali heralds the main Diwali day and is celebrated by many with smaller celebrations and rituals.
• October 20 (Monday) – Diwali: Diwali, the main festival, will be a public holiday in many states. Banks will be closed in Tripura, Gujarat, Mizoram, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and many other regions. However, banks will also operate in other parts of the country that do not celebrate Diwali on this date.
• October 22 (Tuesday) – Govardhan Puja: Following Diwali, Govardhan Puja will see banks closing in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This day commemorates the removal of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna.
• October 23 (Wednesday) – Bhai Dooj: Celebrating the bond between siblings, this day will be a public holiday in Gujarat, Sikkim, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.
• October 27-28 (Monday-Tuesday) – Chhath Puja: Banks will be closed in West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand to mark Chhath Puja celebrations, a major festival dedicated to the Sun God in the region.
• October 31 (Friday) – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti: In Gujarat, this day will be observed as a public holiday to honor the birth anniversary of the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and one of the important figures of India’s independence movement.

ALSO READ: After matcha jalebi, gulab jamun dosa, THIS strange fusion dish goes viral, netizens are saying ‘Wait for our Gujju brothers…; watch the video

Confusion About Diwali’s Exact Date

Although official government calendars mark Diwali on October 20, there is some uncertainty this year as different calendars list Diwali on October 21. Despite the confusion, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) rules remain clear: banks will follow the official bank holiday schedule, so October 20 will be a bank holiday in most parts of the country.

It is important to note that in addition to these holidays, all banks are closed on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month; This means some days may overlap with public weekend holidays.

Given that Diwali celebrations span several days and vary by region, it’s crucial to check your local state calendar to make sure you know when banks will be closed. Whether you are planning a shopping spree on Dhanteras, preparing sweets for your family on Diwali, or attending Govardhan Puja, understanding the public holiday schedule will help you manage your financial duties this festive season.