Bank holiday today: Are banks closed for Valmiki Jayanti, Kumar Purnima on October 7? Check full schedule here

Bank holiday today — that’s what many people are wondering as October 7, 2025 arrives. With the twin observances of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti and Kumar Purnima falling on the same date, confusion abounds: are banks closed in your city? Is it a nationwide holiday, or only some states get the break?

In this deep-dive article, we’ll walk through:

• The precise status of banking operations on October 7 in various cities
• The rationale behind state-wise closures
• The full list of bank holidays in October 2025
• How digital banking (ATMs, UPI, online services) behaves on holidays
• What to do in case of urgent banking needs
• Frequently asked questions to clear up all doubts

Let’s peel back the layers and find the answers you’re looking for.

Bank holiday today: Are banks closed for Valmiki Jayanti, Kumar Purnima on October 7? Check full schedule here

Yes — in certain cities and states, banks are closed today, October 7, 2025, in observance of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti and Kumar Purnima. However, it’s not a pan-India banking shutdown — the holiday is state-specific.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Banks in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, and Shimla are confirmed to be shut today.
• In states that give special recognition to Valmiki Jayanti or Kumar Purnima, certain banking and public operations are suspended.
• In regions that do not list this as a holiday in the RBI’s or state holiday calendar, banks remain open as usual.

So, “Bank holiday today” is partly true — but only for selective locations. If your city is not on that list, banking operations continue as usual.

What is Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti?

Origins and cultural significance

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of the sage Valmiki, traditionally credited as the author of the Ramayana. In Hindu traditions, he is revered as the “Adi Kavi” (first poet) and holds strong spiritual and literary significance. On this day, devotees recite his works, perform pujas, and hold community events.

Why it’s a holiday in some states?

Because Valmiki is especially venerated in certain regions, state governments sometimes declare public holidays on his Jayanti. Banking closures on this day reflect the recognition of his importance in cultural and religious life, but these closures are not uniform across India.

What is Kumar Purnima?

Festival overview

Kumar Purnima is celebrated primarily in Odisha and parts of Eastern India. It falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Ashwin. The festival honors the moon (Kumar) and is often observed by young unmarried girls who pray for a good husband, alongside moonlit celebrations, rituals, and folklore.

Relation to banking holidays

In states where Kumar Purnima carries local importance, authorities may choose to declare a bank holiday. That contributes to the reason why some cities see banks closed on October 7 — because the observance overlaps with regional sensibilities.

RBI holiday calendar & how bank holidays are set

Role of RBI in bank holidays

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes an annual calendar of bank holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, RTGS/NEFT holidays, and other guidelines. Banks in India (public and many private ones) generally follow this schedule, with allowances for state-level modifications.

National vs regional holidays

• National holidays (e.g. Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) are observed across all states.
• Regional or state holidays (e.g. local festivals, saint anniversaries) are declared by state governments and may apply only to banks located in those states.
• The RBI’s published holiday calendar serves as a framework — actual closures may vary per state or bank branch.

Weekly closures & Saturdays

Beyond festivals, banks are always closed on Sundays and also on specific Saturdays (typically the second and fourth Saturday of each month). These are predetermined and consistent across the year.

October 2025: Bank holidays – Full list & schedule

Below is a consolidated calendar for October 2025, indicating both national and state-wise bank holidays:

This list underscores how festival closures mix with routine weekly offs. October 2025 sees 21 bank holidays in total (including weekends and festival days).

Why are banks closed in only some states today?

Regional significance of festivals

Valmiki Jayanti may be more formally observed in certain states due to cultural, historical or religious traditions tied to the sage. Likewise, Kumar Purnima has stronger resonance in Odisha and neighboring regions. So, in places where these observances are deeply embedded, authorities opt to declare a local holiday.

State government proclamations

Banks follow both the RBI’s calendar and state government holiday declarations. When a state issues a gazette or official notice, banks in that state (or city) typically comply. Thus, even if RBI’s calendar does not explicitly list Valmiki Jayanti / Kumar Purnima for all states, closures still occur per local decrees.

Infrastructure & banking norms

Bank branches in a state that does not recognize the day as a holiday will continue business as usual. The infrastructure (clearinghouses, state-level bank operations) remains active unless the holiday is widely adopted.

Digital and alternate banking services on a holiday

Even when branches are closed, many banking services remain functional:

• Mobile banking apps continue to operate, enabling fund transfers, balance checks, bill payments, etc.
• Internet banking / netbanking services remain available, unless specific technical or maintenance downtime is scheduled.
• ATMs stay active, allowing cash withdrawals (subject to machine cash balance).
• UPI / digital wallets remain usable as long as back-end systems are uninterrupted.

So, for urgent non-cash needs, you’re not completely stranded.

What to do in case of emergency or urgent bank needs?

1. Use digital channels

Transactions, payments, and transfers can usually be done through your bank’s website or mobile app.

2. Visit ATMs

If you need cash, check a nearby ATM — often still functional.

3. Plan ahead

Prior to holidays, withdraw cash or complete essential bank tasks.

4. Contact customer service

Some banks provide emergency hotline access even on holidays.

5. Check branch exceptions

In rare cases, some branches in “holiday states” may operate for limited hours with skeleton staffing.

State-wise examples: Who’s observing the holiday?

Karnataka / Bengaluru

Banks in Bengaluru are closed on October 7 for Valmiki Jayanti / Kumar Purnima.

Odisha / Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar observes the closure, likely due to the combined observance of both festivals.

Chandigarh

Banks in Chandigarh are also reported closed today.

Shimla / Himachal Pradesh

Shimla sees a closure too, aligning with local holiday directives.

Delhi / Uttar Pradesh

Delhi has declared a public holiday for Valmiki Jayanti (schools, govt offices), but bank closures depend on the RBI / state bank list.

Other states

Many states are not observing the closure today and banks remain open there.

“Bank holiday today” — effects and public awareness

When people search “Bank holiday today,” they typically want to know:

• Is my local bank open or shut?
• Can I still use online services?
• When is the next bank holiday?

On holidays like October 7, state-wise media and financial news sources quickly publish lists of city-wise closures. For example, Livemint ran a headline titled “Bank holiday today: Are banks closed for Valmiki Jayanti, Kumar Purnima on October 7? Check full schedule here.”

These reports become crucial to help customers plan ahead — whether to withdraw cash, make transfers, or postpone branch visits.

How does this compare with typical holiday patterns?

Number of holidays

October 2025 features 21 bank holidays (including weekly offs).

Festival clustering

Festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, Chhath, etc., often lead to consecutive bank closures around mid- to late-October.

State variances

It’s fairly common for banks in different states to have mismatched holiday lists, due to the abundance of religious and cultural observances.

Tips to navigate banking during this festive season

• Always check your state’s holiday notification (often published by the state government or RBI).
• Use digital banking proactively before holiday dates.
• Maintain a small cash buffer for holidays and weekends.
• Schedule important transactions ahead of time (e.g. fund transfers, cheque deposits).
• Keep customer care contacts handy in case of emergencies.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Are banks open in all states on October 7, 2025?

No. While some banks in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, and Shimla are closed for Valmiki Jayanti / Kumar Purnima, banks in many other states remain open.

2. Is this a nationwide RBI bank holiday?

No. The closure is not nationwide — it depends on whether a state government has declared a holiday in alignment with cultural observance.

3. Can I still use online banking / UPI / ATMs today?

Yes. Digital channels (mobile banking, netbanking, UPI) typically remain functional. ATMs also usually work (unless out of cash or under maintenance).

4. Why do banks close only in some cities but not all?

Because certain festivals are regionally significant, state governments declare holidays that apply only to banks in those states/cities.

5. What’s the full list of bank holidays in October 2025?

See the detailed calendar in this article under “October 2025: Bank holidays – Full list & schedule” section.

6. What if I have urgent banking work today?

Use digital services or ATMs, or visit a branch in a state/city where banks are open. Some banks may offer emergency assistance via phone.

Conclusion

The phrase “Bank holiday today” rings true — but only partially. On October 7, 2025, banks are not universally closed, but are shuttered in specific cities like Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, and Shimla, owing to the observance of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti and Kumar Purnima.

While branch access may be limited in those locations, digital banking, ATMs, and UPI services largely remain functional — allowing us to carry on with non-branch transactions. Over the rest of October, the banking calendar is peppered with multiple festival closures, weekends, and state holidays, making it essential to stay informed and plan ahead.