Are Banks Closed Today, Oct 20, Diwali? Bank Holiday In More Than 25 Regions Except Mumbai, Patna, etc

Are Banks Closed Today? The answer to this question depends on which state you are living in. Banks will remain closed today in more than 25 regions representing different states and union territories of India. However, in some regions, including Mumbai, Patna, Imphal, etc, banks will remain open today, ie Monday, Diwali.

Are Banks Closed Today?

Yes, banks are closed in Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kohima, Kolkata, Lucknow, New Delhi, Panaji, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vijaywada.

Diwali Holiday: Banks Are Open Today In THESE Regions

Banks in half of the regions mentioned earlier will remain closed on Monday on the occasion of Diwali. But banks in Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Srinagar, Belapur, and Jammu region will remain open on Monday, October 20, as per the RBI holiday calendar.

Bank Holiday On October 21

Extending the Diwali bank holiday from Monday to Tuesday, RBI has notified bank closures in multiple states on Tuesday, October 21. As per RBI calendar, there will be a bank holiday on Tuesday on the occasion of Diwali Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan)/Deepawali/Govardhan Pooja).

Bank Holidays This Week

Banks will remain shut on Wednesday, Thursday and even Saturday next week in many regions. As per RBI, banks will also remain closed on October 22 on the occasion of Diwali (Bali Pratipada)/Vikram Samvant New Year Day/Govardhan Pooja/Balipadyami, Laxmi Puja (Deepawali) in many regions including Ahmedabad, Belapur, Bengaluru, etc.Banks will also stay shut on October 23 to mark the occasion of 'Bhai Bij/Bhaidooj/Chitragupt Jayanti/Laxmi Puja (Deepawali)/Bhratridwitiya/Ningol Chakkouba'. On Saturday, banks will remain closed across India, as it will be the fourth Saturday of October month.

Diwali Celebration Week

Diwali is a vibrant festival that extends over several days, celebrating diverse traditions and cultures. The festivities kick off with Dhanteras, a day dedicated to honouring Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh, and Lord Dhanvantari. This marks the beginning of a week filled with rituals and joy.

The main Diwali day is highlighted by Lakshmi Puja. This ritual is performed during specific auspicious times. The Pradosh Kaal spans from 5:46 pm to 8:18 pm, while the Vrishabha Kaal occurs between 7:08 pm and 9:03 pm. These periods are considered ideal for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi.

Rituals on Diwali Day

The main day of Diwali involves elaborate rituals centred around Lakshmi Puja. Families prepare by cleaning their homes thoroughly, symbolising the removal of negativity. They then decorate their spaces with lights and flowers to create a welcoming atmosphere for Goddess Lakshmi.

During the puja, offerings such as sweets, fruits, and flowers are made to the deities. The family gathers together to chant prayers and sing hymns in praise of Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that performing these rituals brings prosperity, happiness, and success in the coming year.

Diwali Timings for Rituals

The timing of rituals during Diwali is crucial for ensuring their effectiveness. The Pradosh Kaal from 5:46 pm to 8:18 pm is considered particularly favourable for conducting ceremonies dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Similarly, the Vrishabha Kaal from 7:08 pm to 9:03 pm offers another window for performing these sacred rites.