Bank Holidays in November 2024: Banks will be closed for 12 Days due to Govardhan Puja, Chhath Puja, Guru Nanak Jayanti and other major events

Bank Holidays in November 2024: Following the bank holiday list for October, November 2024 is set to bring its own schedule of closures. Banks across India will observe a total of 12 holidays in November, which includes regular weekends as well as special holidays for significant festivals and events.

Reasons for November 2024 Bank Holidays

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requires banks to close on all public holidays, with additional state-specific holidays based on local festivals and occasions. For November, bank holidays will vary across states as each state government decides which events warrant a holiday. Though banks will be closed on these selected dates, ATMs, cash deposit machines, and digital banking services like online and mobile banking will continue to function, ensuring people still have access to key banking services.

Some notable holidays in November include Govardhan Puja, Chhath Puja, and Guru Nanak Jayanti. Below is a complete list of dates and reasons for closures throughout the month.

Detailed Bank Holiday List for November 2024

According to RBI guidelines, banks are closed every Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturdays. In November, additional closures are listed under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which allows for bank holidays on important state events and national festivals. Here is a breakdown of the specific days and reasons for closures:

Key Points to Remember

• Weekend Closures: Banks are closed on all Sundays (November 3, 10, 17, and 24) as well as the second and fourth Saturdays (November 9 and 23).
• State-Specific Holidays: Since certain bank holidays only apply to specific states, it’s wise to check the schedule based on your region, particularly if you have important banking transactions.
• Digital Services Availability: Despite branch closures, digital banking services such as Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) will be available around the clock, allowing instant transfers even on holidays.

Plan Ahead for Bank Holidays in November 2024

With the wide range of holidays this November, anyone with urgent banking needs should plan their activities accordingly. Reviewing the bank holiday list and identifying specific dates for your state will help you avoid any delays or disruptions.

Major festivals in November 2024

Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the Pratipada (first day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the Kartik month. This tradition, observed the day after Diwali, has been followed for centuries. During the festival, people create a small Govardhan Hill using cow dung at their doorstep and honour cows by performing rituals. There is a well-known story in Hindu mythology explaining why Govardhan Puja is celebrated.

According to this story, the people of Brij were preparing to worship Lord Indra, the god of rain. When young Lord Krishna asked his mother, Yashoda, about it, she explained that they worship Indra Dev because he brings rain, which helps grow food for the cows. However, Lord Krishna questioned why they shouldn’t instead worship the Govardhan Mountain, which provides grazing land for the cows, as rainfall is naturally Indra’s duty. Convinced, the villagers shifted their focus to worshipping Govardhan Mountain.

Angered by this, Indra Dev caused heavy rainfall, leading to floods. To protect the villagers and teach Indra a lesson, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain with his little finger, sheltering everyone beneath it. Humbled, Indra stopped the rains, realising his mistake. This event gave rise to the celebration of Govardhan Puja, which continues to this day.

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a major Vedic festival celebrated mainly in parts of North India, especially in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and also in Nepal. It honours the Sun God (Lord Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (a form of Goddess Usha, the sister of Lord Surya). The word 'Chhath' means 'six' in Hindi and Nepali, referring to the sixth day of the Kartika month when the festival is observed.

The rituals associated with Chhath Puja are considered more intense than those of other Hindu festivals. Devotees follow strict fasting without water, take dips in rivers or ponds, stand in water to offer prayers, and worship the Sun at both sunrise and sunset. Food prepared for the festival is devoid of salt, onions, or garlic.

Celebrated over four days, Chhath Puja expresses gratitude to the Sun God as the ultimate source of life. Devotees, called ‘Vrati’, fast to honour the Sun God. This festival is celebrated twice a year – in summer after Holi (called Chaiti Chhath) and in autumn during Kartika month (called Kartik Chhath).

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. It is one of the most sacred events in Sikhism, marked with immense reverence and celebration by Sikhs worldwide. This festival, also called Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, commemorates the spiritual teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 on the full moon day (Puranmashi) in the lunar month of Kartik, according to the Vikram Samvat calendar. His birthplace, Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, is now known as Nankana Sahib, located in present-day Pakistan.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is traditionally celebrated in November, and the day is observed as a Gazetted holiday in India. The birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, called Gurpurabs, are significant religious occasions, filled with devotion and community prayers. Sikh traditions have deeply ingrained the practice of celebrating Guru Nanak’s birth around this time.

While some scholars suggest that Guru Nanak’s birth should be commemorated on Vaisakhi in April, the traditional observance remains fixed to Kartik Purnima. The Nanakshahi calendar, aligned with the Gregorian calendar, marks the event on the full moon day of Kartik. There has been some debate about the correct date due to differences in solar and lunar cycles, as a solar year is approximately 365.25 days while a lunar year is around 354 days. This difference creates unique challenges in aligning lunar and solar dates accurately, resulting in periodic adjustments to maintain the traditional observance.