Bank Holiday Today, July 16: Are Banks Closed For Harela Festival? Check Remaining RBI Holiday List for July

Banks across Uttarakhand are closed today, Wednesday, July 16, on the occassion of Harela, a major regional festival. The holiday affects both public and private sector banks in the state, including the State Bank of India (SBI), as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s official holiday calendar. However, banks in other states remain open and operational.

Why Are Banks Closed in Uttarakhand Today?

As mentioned, banks are closed due to the Harela Festival. It is a traditional festival celebrated widely in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and some parts of Himachal Pradesh. It marks the beginning of the monsoon and the new agricultural season. People celebrate by sowing seeds like wheat and barley and later using the green sprouts as a symbol of blessings and prosperity.

The RBI declares such regional bank holidays under the 'Negotiable Instruments Act', which governs the use of cheques, promissory notes, and related services. On this day, banks in Uttarakhand will not provide in-branch services such as:

• Cash withdrawals at the counter
• Cheque deposits
• Demand draft issuances

What will Remain Open?

While physical branches are closed in Uttarakhand, customers can continue using online services. Mobile banking, UPI, internet banking, and ATM facilities will remain fully functional. This ensures that digital payments, transfers, and balance checks can still be done without interruption.

Schools Will Also Have a Holiday:

Along with bank closures, schools across Uttarakhand are also shut today as part of the Harela celebration. It is a public holiday in the state, and many government offices may also have limited operations.

Upcoming Bank Holidays in July 2025:

Besides Harela, several other regional festivals and national holidays will result in more bank closures across different states this month:

• July 17 (Thursday): Banks will be closed in Meghalaya for the death anniversary of U Tirot Singh.
• July 19 (Saturday): Ker Puja in Tripura, banks will be closed in Agartala.
• July 20 (Sunday): Weekly holiday
• July 26 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday
• July 27 (Sunday): Weekly holiday
• July 28 (Monday): Banks closed in Sikkim for Drukpa Chhe-zi, a Buddhist festival.

Earlier in the month, banks were also closed for other regional holidays like Kharchi Puja (Tripura), Guru Hargobind's Birthday (Jammu and Srinagar), and Beh Deinkhlam (Meghalaya).

Plan Ahead for Urgent Banking Needs:

People in Uttarakhand who require in-person banking services are advised to plan their transactions before or after the holiday. Although digital platforms are available, tasks like cheque clearances or cash withdrawals at branches will not be possible today.

For those in other states, banks are open as usual, so you can visit your branch without any disruption.

Bank Holiday Structure In India:

Bank holidays in India vary by state due to local festivals, cultural events, and religious observances. The RBI releases a holiday calendar each year, and customers are encouraged to check with their local bank branches for accurate schedules.