Bank holidays from Nov 1 to 8: Branches open on Dhanteras and Chhoti Diwali, shut on two Sundays

November is about to begin, and several major festivals, including Dhanteras and Diwali, fall in its first ten days. Customers with pending work at banks should plan around the holidays. Here is the list of bank holidays between November 1 and 8.

November 1 is a Sunday, so it will be a weekly off. On Monday, November 2, bank branches in Shillong will remain closed for the Nongkrem dance festival. On Tuesday, November 3, and Wednesday, November 4, banks across the country will work as on any other day. Banks will also open as usual on Thursday, November 5.

Dhanteras falls on Friday, November 6, but all banks, public and private, will function as usual in Delhi and most states. By tradition, people buy gold, silver and new household items on Dhanteras. Many also worship Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera and Lord Dhanvantari on this day.

Saturday, November 7, is Chhoti Diwali, yet banks across the country will work as on ordinary days. Sunday, November 8, is a weekly off and is also the day of Lakshmi Puja for Diwali.

This means there is no national holiday in the week. Customers have still been advised to check the local holiday calendar before visiting their bank branch. Branch services such as cash deposits and cheque processing will remain shut on holidays. Customers can, however, carry out transactions easily through internet banking, ATMs and UPI.

Essential banking services keep running across the country even when branches are closed. Online banking remains available during bank holidays, so customers get uninterrupted service and can transact comfortably.

During this period anyone can use UPI or their bank's app to send or receive money. These services run 24 hours, whether banks are open or closed. Occasionally, scheduled maintenance may cause a brief interruption, about which the bank will inform customers. Funds can also be transferred through NEFT/RTGS transfer forms, demand drafts, request forms and chequebook forms. Credit, debit and ATM cards will also keep working.