As April approaches, various bank holidays are set to take place across India, providing a mix of cultural celebrations and mandatory closures for financial institutions. This month, people can expect bank holidays for significant observances including Mahavir Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, Good Friday, Bohag Bihu, Basava Jayanti, and Akshaya Tritiya. Notably, April 1, 2025, will be a mandatory bank holiday nationwide for the finalization of yearly accounts.
March 31, 2025, marks the last opportunity for individuals to invest in the State Bank of India’s (SBI) special fixed deposits, which offer an attractive interest rate of up to 7.75%. This is a crucial date for those looking to maximize their savings before the new month begins.
The detailed state-wise list of bank holidays in April 2025 is as follows:
- April 1 (Tuesday) – Banks will be closed for yearly account finalization and Sarhul, a tribal festival in Jharkhand, marking the beginning of the new year and the worship of nature.
- April 5 (Saturday) – Banks will be closed for Babu Jagjivan Ram’s Birthday.
- April 10 (Thursday) – Mahavir Jayanti will see banks closed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana to celebrate the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.
- April 14 (Monday) – Ambedkar Jayanti, Vishu, Bihu, and Tamil New Year will be observed across many states except Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, New Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, and Himachal Pradesh. This day marks Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's birth anniversary along with various regional New Year celebrations.
- April 15 (Tuesday) – Banks will be closed in Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for Bengali New Year, Himachal Day, and Bohag Bihu.
- April 18 (Friday) – Good Friday will be observed across most major states except Tripura, Assam, Rajasthan, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Srinagar.
- April 21 (Monday) – Garia Puja will close banks in Tripura.
- April 29 (Tuesday) – Bhagwan Shri Parshuram Jayanti will see banks closed in Himachal Pradesh.
- April 30 (Wednesday) – Banks will be closed in Karnataka for Basava Jayanti and Akshaya Tritiya, honoring Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat sect, and celebrating an auspicious day for wealth and prosperity.
For anyone needing banking services in April 2025, it’s essential to check local schedules to avoid inconvenience.
Meanwhile, as the month unfolds, many will also celebrate Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. This year, the festival begins on March 30, 2025, and concludes on April 7, 2025. It marks the start of the Hindu lunar new year and culminates with Ram Navami, Lord Ram's birth anniversary.
During Chaitra Navratri, devotees engage in fasting, meditation, and self-discipline, seeking blessings for health, wealth, and happiness. Each day is dedicated to a different form of Navadurga, the nine manifestations of Durga, reflecting the triumph of good over evil.
The festival schedule is as follows:
- First day - March 30: Maa Shailputri (Daughter of the mountains)
- Second day - March 31: Maa Brahmacharini (The unmarried form of Parvati)
- Third day - April 1: Maa Chandraghanta (Symbol of peace and bravery)
- Fourth day - April 2: Maa Kushmanda (The creator of the universe)
- Fifth day - April 3: Maa Skandamata (Mother of Lord Kartikeya)
- Sixth day - April 4: Maa Katyayani (The fierce form of Durga)
- Seventh day - April 5: Maa Kalratri (Destroyer of darkness and ignorance)
- Eighth day - April 6: Maa Gauri (Symbol of purity and serenity)
- Ninth Day - April 7: Maa Siddhidatri (Bestower of wisdom and supernatural powers)
On each day, rituals such as Ghatasthapana are performed, involving the installation of a sacred pot (Kalash) representing the goddess. Many devotees observe fasting, consuming only satvik food like fruits and grains such as kuttu and singhare ka atta. Prayers and aarti are offered daily, and sacred texts like the Durga Saptashati are recited.
As the month progresses, both bank holidays and religious observances will shape the landscape of April 2025, providing opportunities for reflection, celebration, and planning. With several significant events on the horizon, individuals are encouraged to stay informed about their local schedules.
