Bank Holiday Today, July 14: Are Banks Closed in Your City? Schools are Closed Too?

Bank Holiday Today: It is a bank holiday in the state of Meghalaya as residents celebrate the Behdeinkhlam festival, a key cultural event observed by the Pnar community. Shillong is one of the main cities that will see a bank holiday.

While banks across the rest of India remain open, banking services in Meghalaya are suspended as per the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) bank holiday calendar, which lists the day as a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

If you're in Meghalaya and planning any banking tasks, you'll need to postpone them until tomorrow. However, online and mobile banking services will continue to operate as usual.

Why Are Banks Closed Today in Meghalaya?

Banks are closed due to the Behdeinkhlam festival. It is one of the most important cultural celebrations among the Pnar or Jaintia community in Meghalaya. The word "Behdeinkhlam" translates to "driving away the plague" and is traditionally held in Jowai after the sowing season. It includes colorful rituals, spiritual offerings, and symbolic dances that aim to cleanse the land and seek blessings for a healthy harvest.

According to the Meghalaya government's official website, this festival is not just a celebration but also a spiritual ritual that holds great importance among the locals. Hence, all banks in the region will remain shut today in observance.

School Holiday in Parts of UP and Haryana

Meanwhile, today is also the first Monday (Somwar) of the holy month of Sawan, an important time in the Hindu calendar dedicated to Lord Shiva. This day, known as Shravan Somwar, sees millions of devotees observing fasts and performing rituals such as Jalabhishek at temples.

Due to the heavy footfall expected during Kanwar Yatra and Sawan celebrations, schools in several districts are closed:
• Varanasi and Budaun (Uttar Pradesh): Schools will remain closed on all Mondays during the month of Sawan.
• Nuh (Haryana): Schools are shut today due to Jalabhishek Yatra, which coincides with Kanwar Yatra events.

List of Bank Holidays in July 2025

The RBI's holiday list for July includes several regional closures. Here's a quick look at upcoming dates including today:

• July 14 (Monday): Behdeinkhlam - Meghalaya
• July 16 (Wednesday): Harela - Uttarakhand
• July 17 (Thursday): Death Anniversary of U Tirot Singh - Meghalaya
• July 19 (Saturday): Ker Puja - Tripura
• July 20 (Sunday): Weekly holiday - All India
• July 26 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday - All India
• July 27 (Sunday): Weekly holiday - All India
• July 28 (Monday): Drukpa Tshe-zi - Sikkim

Plan Your Financial Tasks

Even though branches may be closed today in Meghalaya, most financial tasks, like fund transfers, balance checks, and deposits, can still be done through online banking services. For cheque clearance or branch-related work, it's best to wait until the next working day.

For those in other states, banks are open as usual, so you can visit your branch without any disruption.
Always check the RBI's official holiday calendar or contact your local branch before heading out.