The onset of the year in Puducherry witnesses over six days of bank closures. In addition to Sundays, January 1 (Monday), January 15 (Monday), January 17 (Wednesday), and January 26(Friday) are designated as holidays, celebrating New Year's Day, Pongal, Uzhavar Thirunal, and Republic Day, respectively.
Date & Month | Day | Holiday |
---|---|---|
January 1 | Monday | New Year's Day |
January 13 | Saturday | Second Saturday Bank Holiday |
January 15 | Monday | Pongal |
January 16 | Tuesday | Thiruvalluvar Day |
January 17 | Wednesday | Uzhavar Thirunal |
January 26 | Friday | Republic Day |
January 27 | Saturday | Fourth Saturday Bank Holiday |
New Year festivals are global celebrations that mark the commencement of the new year, encompassing social, cultural, and religious observances. These festivities rank among the oldest and are widely recognized across the world.
Pongal is a three-day Hindu festival widely observed in South India. It occurs during the winter solstice, a time when, according to the traditional Hindu reckoning, the Sun reaches its southernmost point, shifts back to the north, and reenters the sign of makara (Capricorn), typically on January 14.
'Uzhavar Thirunal' is an agricultural festival observed in Southern India. The term 'Uzhavar' translates to 'agriculturist' in Tamil, and 'Thirunal' signifies a 'festive day.' Widely recognized as the 'Pongal festival,' it marks the culmination of the harvest season. This unique celebration is distinctly Tamil and is also referred to as 'Thamizhar thirunal,' meaning the "Tamil Festival."
Republic Day, a momentous national event, commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950. On these days, banks such as Axis Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank, City Union Bank, and Indian Bank will remain closed.