There has been confusion this year about when to celebrate Holi because of the lunar eclipse.
Many people were unsure whether Holi would fall on March 3 or March 4.
Here is the clear answer — Holika Dahan took place on March 2, and due to the lunar eclipse, Holi will be celebrated on March 4.
This also means several bank holidays are lined up across different states.
Holi 2026: Why March 4 Is the Main Festival Day
Because of the lunar eclipse, Holi celebrations have shifted.
On March 2, banks in Uttar Pradesh were closed for Holika Dahan.
On March 3, banks remained closed in states such as:
Maharashtra
Madhya Pradesh
Rajasthan
Bihar
West Bengal
Kerala
These closures were due to festivals like Dhulandi, Dol Jatra and Attukal Pongala.
On March 4, banks will remain closed in:
Delhi
Gujarat
Uttarakhand
Bihar
Odisha
So, if you have bank-related work, check your state’s holiday list carefully.
Other Major Bank Holidays in March
March has several more important holidays.
March 13: Banks closed only in Mizoram for Chapchar Kut.
March 17: Banks closed in Jammu and Kashmir for Shab-e-Qadr.
March 19: Banks closed in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Rajasthan for Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Telugu New Year.
Eid and Ram Navami Closures
On March 20, banks will be closed in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh for Eid al-Fitr and Jumaat al-Vida.
On March 21, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated in most parts of India. Banks will remain closed in almost all states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. However, this date may change depending on the moon sighting.
For Ram Navami on March 26, banks will be closed in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh.
On March 27, banks will remain closed in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
Finally, on March 31, banks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar and several other states will remain closed for Mahavir Jayanti
Banking Services That Will Still Work
Even if banks are closed, digital services will continue as usual.
You can still:
Transfer money using UPI
Withdraw cash from ATMs
Use mobile and internet banking
Pay bills online
Only branch-related services will remain unavailable.
Also remember, banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays, along with all Sundays.
March has five Sundays this year.
Before visiting your branch, it’s always wise to check the local holiday list to avoid inconvenience.
