Bank Holidays in Bihar 2026

Overview of Bihar Holidays 2026

Bihar's list of bank holidays for 2026 is structured around the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) calendar and major regional festivals. The year is interspersed with important closures, including three national holidays: Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.

Beyond these, the state observes highly significant regional public holidays in Bihar such as Bihar Day in March and the extended two-day observance of Chhath Puja in October/November. In addition to these festival closures, bank branches remain closed on all Saturday bank holidays, specifically the second and fourth Saturday of every month as mandated nationwide.

Customers planning visits to a bank should note these mandatory off days, especially for months like bank holidays, where the closures are primarily the Second and Fourth Saturdays.

Major Festivals Celebrated in Bihar

Known for its deep cultural heritage and spiritual significance, Bihar celebrates a wide range of festivals throughout the year. Many of these occasions are declared bank holidays or public holidays in Bihar, making them an important part of the Bihar holiday calendar for 2026.

• Chhath Puja
  Chhath Puja is the most distinctive and significant festival of Bihar. This four-day festival is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees observe strict rituals, including fasting and offering Arghya to the setting and rising sun on riverbanks. The main observance days of Chhath Puja are marked by official bank closures in Bihar in 2026.
• Durga Puja & Maha Navami
  Celebrated with great devotion across the state, Durga Puja spans several days, with Maha Navami being one of the most important. The festival culminates in Vijaya Dashami, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Maha Navami is observed as a designated bank holiday in Bihar.
• Bihar Day (Bihar Diwas)
  Bihar Diwas, observed on March 22, commemorates the formation of Bihar as a separate state from the Bengal Presidency in 1912. In 2026, it will be marked by official events, cultural programs, and remains a state-specific public holiday.
• Diwali
  Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated across Bihar with lamps, fireworks, and family gatherings. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and is officially observed as a bank holiday in Bihar.
• Holi
  Holi, the vibrant festival of colours, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Bihar. It marks the arrival of spring and is observed with enthusiasm through music, colours, and community celebrations. Holi is recognized as a public holiday in Bihar.
• Makar Sankranti
  Makar Sankranti is an important harvest festival in Bihar, celebrated with kite flying and traditional delicacies such as tilkut and dahi-chura. It marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn and is observed as a public holiday in the state.

The Unique Significance of Chhath Puja: Worshipping the Setting Sun

Chhath Puja is unique among Hindu festivals for its ritualistic worship of the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya), immediately followed by the rising sun (Usha Arghya). This profound practice, central to Bihar's identity, symbolizes the cycle of life, the acceptance of change, and the pursuit of purification.

Dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, the four-day festival involves a rigorous, long-duration fast, with devotees standing waist-deep in water on the banks of rivers (especially the Ganges) to offer prayers for the longevity, prosperity, and well-being of their families. This deep, nature-based devotion sets the tone for these crucial public holidays in Bihar.