Bank Holidays for Lohri and Makar Sankranti 2025: Are Banks Closed?

The bank holidays in January 2025 are out. Many people are curious to know if banks will remain closed during the festivals of Lohri (January 13) and Makar Sankranti (January 14). Here’s what you need to know.

Are Lohri and Makar Sankranti Bank Holidays?

Lohri (January 13)

Banks will remain open on Lohri. It is not a declared holiday for banks.

Makar Sankranti (January 14)

Banks will be closed in certain states for Makar Sankranti and similar festivals, such as Pongal, Maghe Sankranti, and Magh Bihu. States where banks will observe a holiday include:

• Ahmedabad
• Bengaluru
• Bhubaneswar
• Chennai
• Gangtok
• Guwahati
• Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana)
• Itanagar
• Kanpur
• Lucknow

Bank Holidays in January 2025

January has 13 holidays, including weekends. These holidays vary by state. Below is the list of key dates:

• January 1: New Year’s Day/Loosong/Namsoong (Holiday in Aizawl, Chennai, Gangtok, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Kolkata, Shillong)
• January 2: Loosong/Namsoong (Holiday in Aizawl, Gangtok)
• January 6: Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday (Holiday in Chandigarh)
• January 11: Second Saturday and regional holidays (Holiday in Imphal, Aizawl)
• January 12: Sunday
• January 14: Makar Sankranti/Uttarayana/Pongal/Magh Bihu (Holidays in specific states mentioned above)
• January 15: Thiruvalluvar Day (Holiday in Chennai)
• January 16: Uzhavar Thirunal (Holiday in Chennai)
• January 19: Sunday
• January 23: Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose/Vir Surendrasai Jayanti (Holiday in Agartala, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata)
• January 25: Fourth Saturday
• January 26: Republic Day

ATM and Online Banking Services

Even on bank holidays, ATMs and online banking services are available for customers. You can withdraw cash and complete online transactions without interruption unless prior notifications specify service unavailability.

How Are Bank Holidays Decided?

Bank holidays are announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in coordination with state governments. These holidays take into account:

• National and regional festivals
• Religious and cultural observances
• Operational requirements of banks

The RBI shares the official holiday calendar through its website and informs banks and financial institutions accordingly.

It’s always a good idea to check with your local bank branch for specific holiday schedules to plan your financial activities better.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.