Ram Navami Bank Holiday 2026: Banks to Remain Closed in Many Cities on March 26, Check Full List
Banks across several parts of India will remain shut on Thursday, March 26, 2026, on account of Ram Navami, a major Hindu festival celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ram. As per the holiday schedule followed by banks, most public and private sector branches in multiple cities will observe a holiday, impacting in-branch banking services for the day.
Ram Navami holds deep religious significance in India and is observed on the ninth day (Navami) of the Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. Devotees across the country celebrate the occasion with prayers, processions, temple visits, and community events. Due to its importance, banks in many states remain closed to mark the festival.
Banks Closed on March 26: City-Wise Details
On March 26 (Thursday), banking operations will be suspended in several major cities, including:
- Ahmedabad
- Bhopal
- Bhubaneswar
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- Patna
- Ranchi
- Jaipur
- Lucknow
- Kolkata
Customers in these regions are advised to plan their banking activities in advance, especially if they need services like cheque clearance, cash deposits, or branch-related transactions.
Additional Holiday on March 27
In some regions, banks will remain closed again on March 27 (Friday) due to the continuation of Ram Navami celebrations (observed as Chaitra Dashain in certain states). The cities where banks will remain closed on March 27 include:
- Ahmedabad
- Dehradun
- Jaipur
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- Patna
- Gangtok
This means that in certain locations, banking services may be unavailable for two consecutive days.
Upcoming Bank Holiday: Mahavir Jayanti on March 31
Another important holiday later in the month is Mahavir Jayanti, which falls on March 31, 2026. On this day, banks will remain closed in multiple cities such as:
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Kanpur
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- New Delhi
- Patna
- Raipur
- Ranchi
What Services Will Be Available?
Despite the closure of physical bank branches, customers will continue to have access to essential digital banking services. These include:
- Net banking
- Mobile banking apps
- UPI transactions
- ATM withdrawals and deposits
However, services that require branch visits—such as cheque clearance, demand draft processing, and large cash transactions—will not be available on bank holidays.
RBI Holiday Calendar and Planning Tips
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases a detailed holiday calendar every year, which varies from state to state depending on regional festivals and observances. March 2026 includes several holidays such as Holi, Shab-e-Qadr, Ugadi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ram Navami, and Mahavir Jayanti, resulting in multiple non-working days for banks across different regions.
Given the frequency of holidays this month, customers are strongly advised to:
- Complete important banking tasks in advance
- Avoid last-minute branch visits
- Use digital banking platforms for routine transactions
- Check city-specific holiday lists before planning visits
Final Takeaway
With banks set to remain closed in many parts of India on March 26 due to Ram Navami, customers should stay informed and plan accordingly. While digital services ensure uninterrupted access to basic banking, branch-related work may face delays. Keeping track of the RBI holiday list can help avoid inconvenience and ensure smooth financial planning during festive periods.
