Janmashtami, the joyous festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, will be observed on August 26, 2024. This day, also known by various names like Krishna Janmashtami, Gokulashtami, and Ashtami Rohini, is marked by fasting, prayers, and grand celebrations across India. As the festival approaches, many people are curious about bank closures on this day.
Banks Closed in Select States
According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) bank holiday calendar, both public and private sector banks will be closed on August 26 in several states where Janmashtami is observed as a holiday. However, banks will not be closed nationwide.
Here’s the list of states where banks will remain shut on Janmashtami 2024:
– Gujarat
– Odisha
– Chandigarh
– Tamil Nadu
– Uttarakhand
– Sikkim
– Andhra Pradesh
– Telangana
– Rajasthan
– Jammu
– Uttar Pradesh
– West Bengal
– Bihar
– Chhattisgarh
– Jharkhand
– Meghalaya
– Himachal Pradesh
– Srinagar
Plan Your Banking Activities
If you reside in any of the states listed above, it’s important to plan your bank-related tasks accordingly. Despite the physical branches being closed, online banking services and UPI transactions will remain unaffected during the holiday. This ensures that you can continue with your financial activities without any interruptions.
Significance of Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, believed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Born in a dungeon in Mathura to Queen Devaki and King Vasudeva, Krishna is revered as the god of love, compassion, and divine playfulness. The festival falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Bhadrapada month, which usually occurs in August or September.
How Janmashtami is Celebrated
Devotees observe Janmashtami with great enthusiasm. The celebrations include fasting, decorating homes and temples, and performing puja. Many devotees dress Lord Krishna’s idols in new clothes and jewelry, offering his favorite treats like butter, milk, and curd. Special prayers and rituals are conducted at midnight, believed to be the time of Krishna’s birth.
In many parts of India, the famous Dahi Handi event is organized, where people form human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with butter, mimicking Krishna’s playful nature.
Janmashtami is a time of devotion, joy, and cultural festivities. Whether participating in temple celebrations or observing the day at home, the festival brings together families and communities in a shared expression of faith.