While Indian stock exchanges hold a special Muhurat trading session on Diwali, bank operations follow a state-wise holiday calendar announced by the Reserve Bank of India. On Tuesday, October 21, 2025 (Diwali/Deepavali & Govardhan Puja), many bank branches are closed in several cities while most branches in major metros remain open. This article breaks down which cities observe a bank holiday and where customers can expect normal banking hours today.
Where banks are closed on October 21
According to the RBI’s state-wise holiday schedule and corroborating local reports, branches in the following places observe a bank holiday on October 21 for Diwali Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan), Deepawali or Govardhan Puja:
- Mumbai (Maharashtra)
- Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
- Belapur (Navi Mumbai area)
- Gangtok (Sikkim)
- Guwahati (Assam)
- Imphal (Manipur)
- Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir)
- Nagpur (Maharashtra)
- Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
- Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir)
If you live or need banking services in any of the above centres, expect branches to be closed for counter transactions. ATMs, internet banking and UPI services generally remain available, though cash availability at specific branches/ATMs may vary.
Where banks are open as usual
Many large cities and state capitals are NOT observing a bank holiday on October 21. Branches will operate normally in places such as:
- New Delhi
- Bengaluru
- Ahmedabad
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Chennai
- Patna
- Thiruvananthapuram
Customers in these cities should expect normal counter timings, although specific branch hours can differ between public and private banks. For precise timings, check your bank’s official communication or branch notice.
State-wise holiday pattern: quick notes
Diwali-week bank holidays vary by state. For example, some regions observed holidays on October 20 (Naraka Chaturdashi) while others have holidays on October 22 (Bali Pratipada/Vikram Samvat New Year Day). RBI’s holiday calendar lists these state-wise observances — a useful reference for planners and businesses. (See RBI holiday matrix.)
Tip: If you have time-sensitive banking work, visit the bank a day earlier or use digital channels: netbanking, mobile apps, UPI, NEFT/IMPS and ATMs operate irrespective of local branch holidays in most cases.
Why some banks close while markets open for Muhurat Trading
Muhurat trading is a symbolic, one-hour special session conducted by NSE and BSE to mark the start of the Hindu financial year (Samvat 2082). It is cultural and ceremonial — exchanges and traders participate in a short trading window (this year, exchanges scheduled the session in the afternoon). Bank holidays, however, follow local festival observances and state notifications under the RBI calendar, hence the mismatch between closed bank branches and an open special trading session. For Muhurat timings and market schedule see LiveMint’s coverage and exchange circulars.
Practical advice for customers
- Check your bank’s official website or WhatsApp helpline before visiting a branch.
- Use digital payments (UPI, netbanking) for urgent transfers — they operate even on most regional holidays.
- Plan cash withdrawals in advance if your locality observes a branch holiday.
Sources & further reading
Reference: Reserve Bank of India — State-wise holiday list (RBI holiday matrix). For market context and Muhurat timings see LiveMint and Economic Times coverage of Muhurat Trading 2025.
