Bank Holidays for Pongal 2026: Dates, States and What Customers Should Know

Pongal, one of South India’s most important harvest festivals, will lead to multiple bank holidays in January 2026, particularly in Tamil Nadu and select southern states. Bank holidays during this period are governed by the Negotiable Instruments Act and are announced city-wise based on local festivals and state observances.

Key Pongal-Related Bank Holiday Dates

In January 2026, banks will observe holidays linked to Pongal and associated regional festivals between January 14 and January 17. January 15, marked as Pongal, Uttarayana Punyakala and Makara Sankranti, is a bank holiday in several cities. January 16, observed as Thiruvalluvar Day and Kanuma, and January 17, marked as Uzhavar Thirunal, will also see bank closures in select regions.

State-Wise Bank Closures During Pongal

On Wednesday, January 14, Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu will be celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, and Odisha. 

This will be followed on Thursday, January 15, by Uttarayana Punyakala / Pongal / Maghe Sankranti / Makara Sankranti, which will be observed in Karnataka, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. 

The festive period continues on Friday, January 16, with Thiruvalluvar Day / Kanuma being marked in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Other Important January 2026 Bank Holidays

Apart from Pongal, banks will be closed on January 23 for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, and January 26 for Republic Day across India. Additionally, banks will remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month as per standard RBI norms.

Impact On Banking Services

While physical bank branches will be closed on notified holidays, customers can continue to access digital banking services such as UPI, net banking, mobile banking and ATMs. However, cheque clearances and branch-based services may be delayed during the holiday stretch.

Also Read: NSE Declares Trading Holiday on January 15, 2026!

Conclusion

Customers, especially in southern states, should plan their banking transactions in advance around Pongal 2026, as multiple city-specific bank holidays in mid-January may affect branch operations and processing timelines.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a private 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.