Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Are banks open on April 2? See RBI's holiday calendar for the month

Hanuman Jayanti 2026 Bank Holiday: There is widespread confusion among bank customers over whether banks across India are open or closed on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti 2026, being observed on Thursday, April 2.

Are banks open today or closed on April 2?

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar, banks are closed in Kerala (Keralam), including cities like Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, on account of Maundy Thursday, a Christian observance. Banks remain open in most parts of the country on April 2, 2026.

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Apart from this regional holiday, bank branches are operational across the rest of India.

What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is a notable Christian celebration prior to Easter. This day honours the last supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles.

The day celebrates:

• the establishment of the Eucharist (Holy Communion)
• the washing of the disciples’ feet, signifying humility and service
• the start of the Paschal Triduum, which leads to Good Friday

Maundy Thursday in 2026 is being observed on April 2.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: Significance and rituals

Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival marking the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman Jayanti is observed on Purnima in the Chaitra month.

On Hanuman Jayanti, Hanuman devotees observe the following:

• Sindoor and jasmine oil are offered to Hanuman statues
• Boondi laddus, jaggery, and gram are offered
• Hanuman Chalisa and Sunderkand are chanted
• Aartis are performed

This festival represents power, dedication, and humility.

Bank holidays in April 2026

Here are key bank holidays this month:

• April 1: Annual account closing (most states)
• April 3: Good Friday
• April 11: Second Saturday
• April 14: Ambedkar Jayanti, Baisakhi, Bihu, Tamil New Year
• April 15–16: Regional New Year festivals (select states)
• April 20: Basava Jayanti, Akshaya Tritiya (Karnataka)
• April 21: Garia Puja (Tripura)
• April 25: Fourth Saturday
• Sundays: April 5, 12, 19, 26

RBI Holiday Categories

The RBI categorises bank holidays into three main types:

1) Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act–These affect cheque clearing and branch-based banking services at the national or state level.

2) RTGS Holidays–Days when Real Time Gross Settlement transactions are not processed through bank branches.

3) Bank Closing of Accounts–Typically observed on April 1 for annual account closing.

Do online banking services remain available?

Yes, despite physical branches being closed, digital and online banking services remain fully operational.

24/7 Availability: RTGS, NEFT, UPI and internet banking services operate continuously throughout the holidays. Customers can use the digital banking services to transfer funds, pay bills and shop online at any hour of the day, including Sundays, second and fourth Saturdays and on official bank holidays.

Transaction Processing: Digital transactions reach completion in less than one minute or within thirty minutes in most situations. When a user performs a payment through mobile banking or internet banking, the transaction will process without any delays during holidays.

Branch Limitations: Physical bank branches have restrictions, while digital channels enable users to access all services without interruptions. Bank branches will not process RTGS transactions that customers initiate at the branch during holidays or during the second and fourth Saturdays when the branch remains closed. The bank only processes transactions that customers submit through its online digital platforms during these specific times.