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Makar Sankranti 2025 Bank Holiday: Bank holidays in India vary across states and are declared annually under the Negotiable Instruments Act by the RBI.
Bank holiday on Makar Sankranti 2025
Bank Holiday On Makar Sankranti 2025: With the festive spirit of January in full swing, India is set to celebrate Makar Sankranti on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. This festival, symbolizing the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, is marked by kite flying, feasts of sesame sweets, and joyous cultural gatherings. However, the question arises: will banks be open on this day?
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks will remain closed on January 14 in several parts of the country. The closures are observed for festivals celebrated under various names, such as Makar Sankranti, Uttarayana Punyakala, Pongal, Maghe Sankranti, Magh Bihu, and the Birthday of Hazrat Ali.
Banks in the following cities will be closed on January 14:
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Bhubaneswar
- Chennai
- Gangtok
- Guwahati
- Hyderabad
- Itanagar
- Kanpur
- Lucknow
Banks in Delhi-NCR and Other Regions
In regions like Delhi-NCR, banks will remain open on both January 13 and January 14 as these dates are not listed as holidays in the RBI’s official calendar. Banking services will also remain unaffected in many other parts of the country.
The Cultural Significance Behind the Closures
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different ways across India, showcasing the country’s cultural diversity:
- Makar Sankranti: A festival marking the end of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.
- Uttarayana: Celebrated in Gujarat, this marks the northward movement of the Sun.
- Pongal: A four-day harvest festival in Tamil Nadu expressing gratitude to nature and the Sun.
- Maghe Sankranti: Celebrated in regions like Sikkim and Nepal, it marks the harvest season.
- Magh Bihu: Assam’s harvest festival, also known as Bhogali Bihu.
- Birthday of Hazrat Ali: Observed on the 13th day of Rajab in the Islamic calendar, commemorating the birth of Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and the first Imam of Shia Islam.
Additionally, the last weekday bank holiday in January 2025 will be on January 23, when banks in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Agartala will close to commemorate Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Birthday and Vir Surendrasai Jayanti.
Important Notes for Customers
Bank holidays in India vary across states and are declared annually under the Negotiable Instruments Act by the RBI. Transactions involving cheques and promissory notes will not be processed on these holidays.
However, even in states where banks are closed, online banking services and ATMs will remain operational, allowing customers to carry out essential financial transactions. Individuals and businesses are advised to check their regional holiday schedules and plan accordingly to avoid disruptions.
