Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan or Ramzan, one of the holiest months in Islam. During this time, Muslims fast from dusk till dawn. At the end of this month, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after sighting the crescent moon. To mark this festival, a public holiday is also declared in India. Schools, colleges, government offices, most private companies, banks and other institutions remain closed. However, since the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr depends on the sighting of the crescent moon, there may be confusion around the exact holiday date.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Celebration In India
Eid-ul-Fitr's date depends on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. The moon is first seen in western countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, which celebrate Eid first. Eastern nations such as India celebrate a day later.
Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in India on Saturday as the moon was not sighted on Friday evening. Eid lasts three days, starting from the first day of Shawwal, which is the tenth Islamic month. During the month of Ramzan, people do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset.
Eid 2026 Bank Holiday
Even as the Eid-ul-Fitr date was confirmed on Thursday evening, the Reserve Bank of India had already announced the holiday dates for this festival. Based on the RBI calendar, banks across India will observe Eid holidays on March 20 and 21.
On March 20, banks will remain closed in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. On March 21, the holiday applies nationwide except in Kerala, Vijayawada and Himachal Pradesh, where banks will remain open, according to the RBI calendar.
March 21 falls on the third Saturday, which is usually a working day for public and private sector banks in India, as per the RBI guidelines. But due to the Eid holiday, the coming Saturday will be observed as a holiday in most of India.
Customers are advised to plan their banking activities accordingly. While physical bank branches will remain closed during this period, ATM and other online services will be available as usual and may see higher usage due to the holidays.
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