Holi 2025 Bank Holiday: Will Banks Remain Closed on Mar. 14? Check Details Here

The Holi celebrations begin on Thursday with the rituals of Holika Dahan, symbolising the victory of good over evil. The festival of colours also marks the arrival of spring in most parts of India. This year, the festival of colours falls on Friday, Mar. 14. It will be an extended weekend holiday in many states.

Stock exchanges, educational and public institutions, government offices and banks will remain closed during this period. Some states are celebrating Holi on Mar. 14, while others will observe the festive day on Mar. 15, as per the regional calendar. This is creating confusion about the exact date of the bank holiday on account of Holi.

According to the Hindu Panchang, Holika Dahan will be observed on Mar. 13. This will mark the end of 'Holashtak', which commences eight days before Holika Dahan. Holi is celebrated on the Purnima Tithi of the Phalgun month, as per the Hindu calendar.

This year Phalguna Purnima will begin at 10:35 a.m. on Mar. 13 and end at 12:23 p.m. on Mar. 14, according to Drik Panchang. Hence, Holi will be celebrated on Mar. 14 in many states as per regional calendars.

While most states have declared a single holiday for Holi, a few others like Bihar and Jharkhand, have declared a holiday on Holika Dahan itself.

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s bank holiday calendar, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh will observe a holiday on Mar. 13 for Holika Dahan. Kerala will also observe a holiday today for Attukal Pongala celebrations. This means that banks will remain closed in these states today.

However, the Holi holiday varies between Mar. 14 and Mar. 15, affecting bank operations across states.

All states and union territories have declared a holiday on Mar. 14 in view of Holi except for some. These exclusions include Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Manipur, Odisha, Kerala, and Nagaland.

According to the RBI calendar, states including Tripura, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Manipur will observe Holi on Mar. 15, which means that the banks will remain closed in these states on Saturday.

Banks generally follow the RBI holiday calendar, but closures may vary depending on regional festivities and local observances. The customers are advised to check with their respective bank branches to avoid any inconvenience.