Bank Holidays in Gujarat 2026 - Complete List

Overview of Gujarat Holidays 2026

The bank holiday in Gujarat calendar for 2026 is structured around national holidays, regional festivals, and weekend closures. Banks remain closed on Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, along with other nationwide public holidays.

In addition, Gujarat observes major regional holidays such as Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti), Navratri, Janmashtami, and Rath Yatra. Bank branches also remain closed on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, along with all Sundays, as per the banking regulations followed across India.

This combination of national holidays, state-specific public holidays, and Saturday closures defines the annual holiday schedule for Gujarat banks.

Major Festivals & Public Holidays in Gujarat

Gujarat is known for its vibrant cultural heritage and a lively festival calendar. Many of these festivals are officially observed as public or bank holidays in Gujarat, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted traditions and community celebrations.

• Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti)
  Celebrated in January, Uttarayan marks the harvest season and the transition to longer days. The festival is famous for colourful kite-flying across Gujarat and is observed as a public and bank holiday throughout the state.
• Maha Shivratri
  Usually observed in February or March, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is widely celebrated in Gujarat with temple visits, fasting, and night-long prayers.
• Holi & Dhuleti
  Celebrated in March, Holi and Dhuleti mark the festival of colours in Gujarat. Dhuleti, in particular, is observed as a bank holiday, with people celebrating through colours, music, and community gatherings.
• Rath Yatra
  Rath Yatra is usually held in June or July and is one of the most significant religious events in Ahmedabad. It marks the grand procession of Lord Jagannath’s chariot through the city and is observed as a public holiday in many parts of Gujarat.
• Janmashtami
  Celebrated in August or September, Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, who is deeply revered in Gujarat, especially in Dwarka. The festival is observed with prayers, fasting, and devotional celebrations and is a bank holiday.
• Navratri
  Navratri is celebrated in September or October and is Gujarat’s most iconic festival. It spans nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas, with Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) observed as a declared public and bank holiday.
• Diwali
  Celebrated in October or November, Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in Gujarat and is observed as an official bank holiday. It is often followed by Gujarati New Year, which is also widely celebrated across the state.

The Extended Diwali Closure: New Year and Bhai Dooj

The most distinctive period for Gujarat bank customers is the extended Diwali closure. Unlike other states where Diwali may only lead to a one or two-day bank holiday, Gujarat often observes consecutive off-days for the cluster of festivals that follow: Diwali, the Vikram Samvat New Year Day, and Bhai Dooj.

These closures transform the festival of lights into a major annual holiday period for all businesses, greatly impacting branch operations and making it essential to check the list of bank holidays for the latter half of October.

The Significance of Navratri in Gujarat

Among all the holidays in Gujarat, Navratri stands out as the most culturally iconic. For nine nights, people across the state participate in Garba and Dandiya Raas, celebrating devotion to Goddess Durga.

Unlike other Indian states, where Navratri is marked mainly with fasting and rituals, in Gujarat it transforms into a state-wide celebration blending spirituality, music, dance, and community gatherings. This uniqueness makes Navratri one of the most anticipated public holidays in Gujarat and a period when banks remain closed on select days.