{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Bank Holidays Schedule: November Sees Up to 5 Days Off Across Several States for Chhath Puja and Regional Festivals",
  "summary": "Banks across India will observe scheduled closures in mid-November due to weekend rules, Chhath Puja, and regional celebrations like Igas Bagwal.",
  "content": "Banking customers across India need to plan their branch visits carefully in the middle of November, as branches in multiple states are slated to observe several non-working days. The closures are driven by a combination of statutory weekend holidays and prominent regional festivals, including Chhath Puja in eastern India and Igas Bagwal in Uttarakhand. The holiday schedules for all scheduled commercial banks are outlined by the Reserve Bank of India, which designates both mandatory nationwide closures and state-specific bank holidays based on cultural observances.\n\nPan-India Closures for Second Saturday and Sunday\nThe sequence of holidays begins on November 14, which marks the second Saturday of the month. Under the framework established in September 2015, all commercial, private, public, foreign, regional rural, and cooperative lenders remain completely closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every calendar month. This mandate applies universally to institutions such as State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, and Bank of Baroda. Physical branches nationwide will not conduct customer transactions on this day.\n\nThe closure extends directly into November 15 due to the regular Sunday holiday. Consequently, all banking operations that require in-person branch visits will remain suspended across the country for these two initial days. During this mandatory weekend shutdown, banking infrastructure operates under specialized protocols established by the central banking authority.\n\nOperations of Payment Systems and Clearing Houses\nThe observance of second and fourth Saturday holidays directly impacts key institutional payment systems. While electronic systems on working Saturdays run for a full business day, certain batch settlement systems and paper-clearing facilities are suspended during statutory Saturday holidays. Cheque clearance mechanisms handled through Banker Clearing Houses nationwide, including the grid-based Cheque Truncation System, do not execute clearing cycles on these days.\n\nSimilarly, institutional settlement channels such as Real Time Gross Settlement and National Electronic Fund Transfer face operational variations at branch desks, alongside batch mechanisms under the Electronic Clearing Service umbrella, including RECS and NECS. Customers relying on paper instruments like demand drafts or physical cheque clearing must account for these processing pauses when scheduling transactions.\n\nExtended Three-Day Break in Patna and Ranchi for Chhath Puja\nWhile banks in most states will reopen at the start of the following workweek, branches in parts of eastern India will remain closed on Monday, November 16. In cities such as Patna and Ranchi, banks will observe a holiday for Chhath Puja, specifically for Surya Shashti Dala Chhath (Prath Arghya). As a result of this local declaration, banking staff and customers in Bihar and Jharkhand will experience a continuous three-day break spanning November 14 through November 16.\n\nChhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival observed with immense devotion throughout eastern India and southern Nepal. The four-day observance centers on the worship of the solar deity, Surya, offering gratitude for sustenance and vitality on Earth while seeking blessings for personal well-being. Devotees also honor Goddess Chhathi Maiya, recognized as the sixth manifestation of Prakriti and sister to the Sun God. The offering of Prath Arghya, or the first evening oblation to the setting sun, is an essential community rite that halts commercial and administrative work across the region.\n\nDehradun Branches to Close on November 20 for Igas Bagwal\nLater in the same week, branches in Uttarakhand will observe a designated local holiday. On November 20, banking locations across Dehradun will be closed for the celebration of Igas Bagwal. Across the rest of India, branches will maintain regular operating hours on this date.\n\nIgas Bagwal, locally known as Budhi Diwali, is an indigenous festival celebrated in the mountainous districts of Uttarakhand. The festival occurs eleven days after Diwali, falling on the Ekadashi of the Hindu lunar calendar. Regional folklore explains that the historic news of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya following his exile reached the remote mountain valleys of Uttarakhand eleven days later than the plains. Consequently, hill communities celebrate their own festive illumination and traditional folk dances on this day, leading to state-mandated bank closures in key administrative centers such as Dehradun.\n\nStatus of Banking Operations on November 21 and 22\nCustomers should note the operating status of branches as the third weekend of the month approaches. On Saturday, November 21, all scheduled banks across the country will function normally. Because this date is the third Saturday of the month, standard operating guidelines dictate full-day customer service and clearing activities across all public and private lenders.\n\nBranches will subsequently shut down on Sunday, November 22, in observance of the standard weekly off. Altogether, between November 14 and November 22, consumers in specific jurisdictions face up to five non-working days. Patrons needing counter services, account verification, or physical cash deposits are encouraged to verify local schedules or use alternate digital pathways such as internet banking, mobile portals, and automated teller machines.\n\nWhat this means for you\nConsecutive bank closures may delay over-the-counter banking transactions and physical cheque clearances during mid-November.\n\n• Across India: Branch desks nationwide will be closed on November 14 and 15 due to second Saturday and Sunday rules. Digital payment rails such as UPI, internet banking, and ATMs will continue operating without disruption.\n• In Bihar and Jharkhand: Branches in cities like Patna and Ranchi will remain shut for three straight days from November 14 to 16 for Chhath Puja. Residents must complete counter-based activities such as draft issuances before the weekend.\n• In Uttarakhand: Banking services in Dehradun will be suspended on November 20 for the traditional Igas Bagwal festival. Offline documentation and physical account verification will resume only on the next regular business day.\n• For Cheque Processing: Clearing house operations including CTS will pause during statutory holidays, pushing value dates further. Merchants and businesses should plan receivables well in advance to avoid liquidity mismatches.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe extended banking closures in mid-November stem from statutory weekend operating rules combined with designated cultural and state festivals.\n\n• Mandatory Second Saturday: Under regulations instituted in September 2015, all scheduled commercial lenders observe mandatory shutdowns on second and fourth Saturdays. This baseline calendar rule closes branches nationwide on November 14.\n• State-Specific Festive Holidays: The Reserve Bank of India allocates holiday allowances to accommodate significant regional observances. High cultural significance led to bank closures for Chhath Puja in Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as Igas Bagwal in Uttarakhand.\n• Statutory Sunday Observance: Standard banking laws mandate countrywide closure on every Sunday. Falling on November 15 and November 22, these regular off-days extend the total non-working days for customers.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Will banks across India be closed on November 14?\nYes, all banks nationwide will remain closed on November 14 as it is the second Saturday of the month.\n\n2. Why are bank branches closed in Patna and Ranchi on November 16?\nBanks in Patna and Ranchi are closed on November 16 for Chhath Puja celebrations and the offering of Prath Arghya.\n\n3. Why will banks in Dehradun observe a holiday on November 20?\nBanks in Dehradun will be closed on November 20 to celebrate the traditional festival of Igas Bagwal, also known as Budhi Diwali.\n\n4. Are banks open for regular business on November 21?\nYes, November 21 is the third Saturday of the month, so all bank branches will operate normally.\n\n5. Can customers use digital banking while branches are closed?\nYes, online banking, UPI transfers, mobile apps, and ATMs will remain functional throughout all holidays.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/money/navnbara-men-lagatara-bank-holidays-ki-suchi-jari-chhath-puja-aura-igas-bagwal-para-kai-rajyon-men-kamakaja-rahega-bnda-59626",
  "category": "Money",
  "publishedAt": "2026-11-14",
  "tags": [
    "Bank Holidays",
    "Chhath Puja",
    "Reserve Bank of India",
    "Igas Bagwal",
    "Net Banking",
    "Second Saturday Holiday"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "Consecutive bank closures may delay over-the-counter banking transactions and physical cheque clearances during mid-November.\n\n• Across India: Branch desks nationwide will be closed on November 14 and 15 due to second Saturday and Sunday rules. Digital payment rails such as UPI, internet banking, and ATMs will continue operating without disruption.\n• In Bihar and Jharkhand: Branches in cities like Patna and Ranchi will remain shut for three straight days from November 14 to 16 for Chhath Puja. Residents must complete counter-based activities such as draft issuances before the weekend.\n• In Uttarakhand: Banking services in Dehradun will be suspended on November 20 for the traditional Igas Bagwal festival. Offline documentation and physical account verification will resume only on the next regular business day.\n• For Cheque Processing: Clearing house operations including CTS will pause during statutory holidays, pushing value dates further. Merchants and businesses should plan receivables well in advance to avoid liquidity mismatches.",
  "whyItHappened": "The extended banking closures in mid-November stem from statutory weekend operating rules combined with designated cultural and state festivals.\n\n• Mandatory Second Saturday: Under regulations instituted in September 2015, all scheduled commercial lenders observe mandatory shutdowns on second and fourth Saturdays. This baseline calendar rule closes branches nationwide on November 14.\n• State-Specific Festive Holidays: The Reserve Bank of India allocates holiday allowances to accommodate significant regional observances. High cultural significance led to bank closures for Chhath Puja in Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as Igas Bagwal in Uttarakhand.\n• Statutory Sunday Observance: Standard banking laws mandate countrywide closure on every Sunday. Falling on November 15 and November 22, these regular off-days extend the total non-working days for customers.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "Will banks across India be closed on November 14?",
      "answer": "Yes, all banks nationwide will remain closed on November 14 as it is the second Saturday of the month."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why are bank branches closed in Patna and Ranchi on November 16?",
      "answer": "Banks in Patna and Ranchi are closed on November 16 for Chhath Puja celebrations and the offering of Prath Arghya."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why will banks in Dehradun observe a holiday on November 20?",
      "answer": "Banks in Dehradun will be closed on November 20 to celebrate the traditional festival of Igas Bagwal, also known as Budhi Diwali."
    },
    {
      "question": "Are banks open for regular business on November 21?",
      "answer": "Yes, November 21 is the third Saturday of the month, so all bank branches will operate normally."
    },
    {
      "question": "Can customers use digital banking while branches are closed?",
      "answer": "Yes, online banking, UPI transfers, mobile apps, and ATMs will remain functional throughout all holidays."
    }
  ]
}