Bank holiday for Chhath Puja on Monday? Check state-wise list of closures for November

Chhath Puja, a major Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God, will be observed across several Indian states through November 16, prompting a series of temporary bank closures. The holiday falls on a Monday this year, and the Reserve Bank of India has issued a circular that lists the states where public and private banks will remain shut for the day, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and parts of West Bengal. The announcement aims to give employees time to travel to riverbanks and perform the ritual that involves fasting, prayer and offering of offerings at sunrise and sunset.

In Bihar, major branches in Patna, Gaya and Muzaffarpur will not process transactions on Monday, while in Jharkhand banks in Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad will follow the same schedule. The closures affect not only retail banking but also cash‑handling services such as ATMs, which may run on reduced capacity. Customers have been advised to complete essential payments, fund transfers and loan repayments before the holiday, and to use digital channels where possible to avoid inconvenience.

The impact of the holiday extends beyond banking, as many businesses and government offices also observe a shutdown, leading to a brief slowdown in commercial activity. For residents of the affected regions, the pause offers an opportunity to participate fully in the cultural rites that are central to community identity. Observers in other parts of the country may notice a temporary dip in transaction volumes, but the overall financial system remains stable thanks to pre‑planned contingency measures.