Bank Holidays in West Bengal during May

During the bank holidays, all the banks including the Bank of Maharashtra, Union Bank of India, UCO Bank and Corporation Bank will remain closed during the public and bank holidays in West Bengal for May 2024.

May Day: May Day also known as International Worker’s Day, originated in 1884 when the Federation of Organized Trades and Labour Unions of the United States and Canada demanded an eight-hour workday. “The workers went on a strike demanding an eight-hour workday, which let the Haymarket Riots of 1886 in Chicago. It eventually resulted in the sanctioning of an eight-hour workday officially. West Bengal, under the United Front Government of Jyoti Basu, declared May 1 as a public holiday for the first time in 1967 and it also requested all industrial establishments in the State to maintain it as an additional paid holiday.

Birthday of Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore: The birthday of Rabindra Nath Tagore will be celebrated with great pomp and splendor in West Bengal. It will be observed in early May on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, as Tagore was born on this day of the year during 1268 of the Bengali Calendar.

Various cultural programmes, events, songs, poetries, dances and dramas, written and composed by Tagore will be organized on this day by multiple schools, colleges, and universities of Bengal.

Buddha Purnima: The festival is celebrated every year in the Hindu month of Vaishakha. To commemorate the birth anniversary, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana (death anniversary) of Lord Gautama Buddha. The government of West Bengal has declared a holiday on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. In May, Ganga Dussehra Festival will be conducted in West Bengal. It is a ten-day festival. Ganga is considered to be a sacred river as per Hindu tradition. The river holds a significant position among Hindus in the country. Ganga Dusshera is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Jyeshta Maasa in West Bengal. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. According to Hindu mythology, Sage Bhagirath took many years meditating to convince Ganga to come to earth. It is the day on which the sacred river Ganga is believed to have descended on earth from heaven. The banks will function as usual on Ganga Dussehra Festival.