(MENAFN- Live Mint) As Chhath Puja festivities continue, banks in several states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, and West Bengal, will be shut on November 8 also, according to the Reserve bank of India (RBI ). November 7 was also a bank holiday in these regions. These closures coincide with the peak of the Chhath Puja celebrations, affecting banking services.
Holiday Schedule and State Closures
The RBI designated November 7 and 8 as official holidays in select states for Chhath Puja, a four-day Hindu festival of significant cultural and religious importance. This holiday period is followed by regular bank closures on November 9 (the second Saturday) and 10 November (Sunday), extending the disruption of in-person banking services.
A state-by-state breakdown of the closure
November 8 (Friday): Banks in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya are closed for the "Morning Arghya" of Chhath Puja, and banks in Meghalaya observe the Wangala Festival.
Also Read | Donald Trump 2.0 Cabinet: Elon Musk, Mike Pompeo, Kennedy Jr in the mix?
In Delhi, Chief Minister Atishi had declared November 7 a public holiday, ensuring bank closures align with Chhath Puja celebrations in the capital city as well.
The Cultural Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is mainly observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The festival involves four days of fasting, prayer, and rituals, predominantly by women, in honour of the Sun God. Devotees gather along riverbanks or ponds to offer "Arghya" at sunrise and sunset, symbolizing gratitude and purification. The holiday impacts daily routines, with many businesses and public services adjusting schedules around this period.
Also Read | Trump picks Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff- first woman to hold the title Additional Bank Holidays in November 2024
November also includes additional bank holidays for various regional events:
November 12: Egas-Bagwal, celebrated in parts of Uttarakhand.
November 15: Guru Nanak Jayanti, a holiday in Punjab and among Sikh community, nationwide.
November 18: Kanakadasa Jayanti, observed in Karnataka.
Also Read | US Fed Meeting Live Updates: Wall Street cheers Fed rate cut, US election result Digital and ATM Banking Remain Available
Despite the bank closures, digital banking platforms, including UPI payments, mobile apps, and ATM services, will continue to operate, ensuring customers can complete essential transactions during this period. A full list of RBI-approved holidays for November 2024 is accessible on the RBI's official website for customers who need to confirm specific state-wise closures.
MENAFN07112024007365015876ID1108864149
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.