Both public and private sector banks will keep their branches closed on Thursday, July 16, in a few Indian cities, as two regional celebrations, Jagannath Rath Yatra and Harela, happen to fall on the same date. The closure, however, is not a nationwide one. Bank holidays vary from state to state and city to city, so it is not necessary that every bank branch in India will be shut this Thursday. If you have important banking work to finish, it is wise to first check whether the branch in your city is open on that day.
Branches of lenders including SBI, HDFC and ICICI will stay shut only in those cities where these festivals are observed locally. In the remaining cities, customers will face no disruption and transactions will carry on as usual.
Which cities see banks closed on July 16
On July 16, banks will remain closed in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Dehradun and Imphal. Apart from these three cities, banks across the rest of the country will function normally. This means customers living in these cities should either wrap up their essential banking tasks a day in advance or push them to after the holiday. Even during the closure, digital services such as online banking, UPI and ATMs continue to work as usual, so tasks like withdrawing cash or transferring money can still be done over the internet.
The story behind the Puri Rath Yatra
The Ratha Yatra is held in the city of Puri, in the Indian state of Odisha, and is associated with the deity Jagannath, who is regarded as a form of Vishnu or Krishna. During the festival, three deities, namely Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra, are placed on three massive wooden chariots. A huge crowd of devotees pulls these chariots along the bada danda, or the grand avenue, all the way to the Gundicha Temple. The deities stay there for a week and then return to the Jagannath temple. This return journey is known as the Bahuda Yatra. It is because of this grand celebration that daily activity, especially in cities like Bhubaneswar, is affected on the day of the Rath Yatra.
What Harela marks in the hills
Harela is celebrated every year on July 16, mainly in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and in some parts of Himachal Pradesh. In the Kangra, Shimla and Sirmour regions of Himachal Pradesh, the same festival is known as Hariyali or Rihyali. In the Jubbal and Kinnaur areas of Himachal Pradesh, it is called Dakhrain. The festival is closely tied to nature, greenery and the new harvest. Every year, the Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment celebrates the Harela Festival with the aim of spreading awareness about the environment in society. It is this cultural importance in the hill regions that leads to banks staying closed in cities such as Dehradun on this day.
Messages to share on Rath Yatra
If you wish to send greetings to your family and friends on this sacred occasion, the messages below may come in handy.
- Happy Jagannath Rath Yatra! May Lord Jagannath shower you and your family with peace, prosperity, good health, and boundless happiness. Jai Jagannath!
- On this sacred occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra, may every step of the divine chariot bring success, positivity, and new opportunities into your life. Happy Rath Yatra!
- May the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra fill your home with joy, harmony, and endless prosperity. Wishing you a blessed Rath Yatra.
- Let the holy journey of Lord Jagannath inspire you to walk the path of truth, kindness, and devotion. Happy Jagannath Rath Yatra!
- May this auspicious festival remove all obstacles from your life and bless you with strength, wisdom, and success in every endeavour. Jai Jagannath!
- Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Jagannath Rath Yatra. May the Lord's divine blessings bring happiness, wealth, and fulfilment throughout the year.
- As Lord Jagannath's chariot rolls forward, may your life also move toward brighter days, greater achievements, and everlasting peace. Happy Rath Yatra!
- May the divine grace of Mahaprabhu Jagannath illuminate your life with hope, faith, and positivity. Wishing you a blessed and memorable Rath Yatra.
- On this sacred day, may Lord Jagannath bless you with courage to overcome challenges, wisdom to make the right choices, and love to cherish every moment. Happy Rath Yatra!
- Celebrate this holy festival with devotion and gratitude. May Lord Jagannath always guide your path and fill your heart with happiness, success, and divine blessings. Jai Jagannath!
In short, the July 16 holiday is limited to only a handful of cities, so do check the situation in your own city before heading to the bank, to avoid any delay in urgent work.
