Planning a major vendor payment or a cash deposit this week? Double-check the calendar. As India dives into the vibrant spirit of Holi, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated specific bank holidays that vary significantly across states.
While the festival of colours brings the country together, it also temporarily pauses physical banking operations in many regions. To ensure your business finances don’t hit a roadblock, here is everything you need to know about the bank holidays on March 03 and March 04.
The Great Holi Confusion: Why Dates Differ Across India
Unlike national holidays like Republic Day, Holi celebrations are governed by local customs and regional lunar calendars. This year, the “main” day of Holi falls on Wednesday, March 04, for much of the country. However, many states observe the “Second Day of Holi,” “Dol Jatra,” or “Dhulandi” on Tuesday, March 03.
Because of these regional nuances, your local branch might be closed today but open tomorrow, or vice versa. In some rare cases, they might even be closed for both!
State-Wise Bank Holiday List: Where are Banks Closed Today, March 03?
According to the RBI holiday calendar, banks in the following regions are observing a holiday on Tuesday, March 03, 2026, for occasions like Holi (Second Day), Dol Jatra, and Attukal Pongala:
- Maharashtra (Mumbai, Nagpur, Belapur)
- West Bengal (Kolkata)
- Telangana (Hyderabad)
- Rajasthan (Jaipur)
- Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal)
- Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Kanpur)
- Assam (Guwahati)
- Bihar (Patna)
- Jharkhand (Ranchi)
- Goa (Panaji)
- Uttarakhand (Dehradun)
- Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram)
Banks Closed on Wednesday, March 04: Is Your State on the List?
For many northern and western states, the primary bank holiday for Holi/Dhuleti falls on Wednesday, March 04. If you are in these areas, plan your branch visits accordingly:
- New Delhi
- Gujarat (Ahmedabad)
- Punjab & Haryana (Chandigarh)
- Odisha (Bhubaneswar)
- Tripura (Agartala)
- Manipur (Imphal)
- Jammu & Kashmir (Jammu/Srinagar)
- Himachal Pradesh (Shimla)
- Chhattisgarh (Raipur)
Note: Some states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, may see closures on both days depending on local administrative notifications.
Business Survival Guide: How to Manage Finances During Bank Holidays
For business owners, a closed bank branch doesn’t have to mean a complete halt in operations. Here’s how to stay ahead:
- Leverage Digital Banking: While shutters are down at the branch, IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS services usually remain operational 24/7 via mobile and net banking.
- ATM Availability: Cash withdrawals and deposits through CRMs (Cash Recycler Machines) are generally unaffected.
- Plan Cheque Clearances: Be mindful that cheque clearing may be delayed if the clearing house is located in a state observing a holiday.
- UPI is Your Best Friend: For small to medium transactions, UPI remains the most reliable tool for instant settlements during the festive season.
Looking Ahead: Other Bank Holidays in March 2026
March is a busy month for the Indian banking sector. Beyond the Holi break, keep an eye on these upcoming dates to avoid any last-minute “Bank Closed” surprises:
- March 14: Second Saturday (All India)
- March 19: Gudi Padwa / Ugadi (Regional)
- March 21: Eid-ul-Fitr / Ramzan-Id (All India)
- March 26: Ram Navami (Selected States)
- March 28: Fourth Saturday (All India)
- March 31: Mahavir Jayanti (Selected States)
Pro Tip for Business Owners: With the financial year-end approaching on March 31, these mid-month holidays make it even more critical to wrap up your tax planning and audits early.
