Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Bank Holiday on November 15, State-Wise List - Read Now

On Friday, November 15, 2024, India celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartika Purnima. Also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, it is to celebrate Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who left for his heavenly abode on this day. Several states in the country keep it as an important cultural and religious event. And all the banks in respective states will remain closed on this particular day.

Want to know if your local bank branch is open? This article gives you a detailed insight into the states that declared a bank holiday and how it's going to affect the banking sector.

Which States Declare a Bank Holiday?

According to Reserve Bank of India's holiday guidelines, the following states shall be closed on 15 November 2024 as Guru Nanak Jayanti or Kartika Purnima: Mizoram, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Although banks in those states would be shut for all 'over the counter services, banking activities are likely to run normally in other states. In that case, the visit could be planned by cross-checking with local branches.

Significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also referred to as Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, is the birth festival of the great Sikh Gurus' founder, the enlightened one Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It occurs on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Katak which varies in every lunar calendar year. Festivals have more teaching and impart during Gurbani which emphasize unity compassion and enlightenment towards the spirit.

Effects on Banking Services
Even while physical branches of the banks would be closed in the states during this holiday, customers can still access financial services through:

ATMs
Digital banking
UPI
In such emergencies, then online transactions and mobile banking apps ensure that the services are not even for a moment hampered during the holidays.

Bank Holidays in November 2024 - Highlights
Along with Guru Nanak Jayanti, November 2024 has a string of regional and national bank holidays too:

November 1: It coincides with Diwali Amavasya and Kannada Rajyothsava in some states.
November 2: Vikram Samvant New Year
November 7-8: Chhath Puja in some states
November 12: Egaas-Bagwaal in Uttarakhand
November 18: Kanakadasa Jayanti in Karnataka
November 23: Seng Kutsnem in Meghalaya

Dealing with Bank Holidays
The RBI categorizes holidays into three types under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which falls under the Public Holiday umbrella that includes Guru Nanak Jayanti, to name one. Due to regional differences in celebrations, though, not all Indian branch offices will close at the same time according to a single schedule.

To avoid such inconveniences, customers are advised to follow:
Check holiday schedules for their state with the bank.
Cash withdrawal or in-branch visitation must be made ahead of the holidays.
Online banking services to the fullest extent possible with regard to transactions and payment of bills.

Also Read: Stock Market Closed Today for Guru Nanak Jayanti: NSE, BSE Shut, Know Holiday Details - Read Now