Lohri and Makar Sankranti 2026:The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) every year brings out a holiday calendar that not only specifies the closure of the banks for the national holidays but also for the regional festivities drastically different from state to state. By having a clear understanding of this calendar, you can plan your banking transactions right, ensure no deadlines are missed, and also have a scheduled visit to the branch with no surprise at the last moment.
Lohri and Makar Sankranti 2026
India’s January generally witnesses a lot of bank holiday activity. Besides the usual weekly offs (Sundays) and the second and fourth Saturdays which are nationwide non-working days for bank branches, the RBI list has also earmarked several dates in January that are strictly observed in particular regions due to local festivities or cultural celebrations.
Some of the key days when banks remain closed include January 1 (New Year’s/Gaan-Ngai in some states), January 3 (birthday of Hazrat Ali in Uttar Pradesh), and January 12 (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti in parts of West Bengal). The month ends with the nationwide closure on Republic Day (January 26).
Lohri and Bank Holiday
A common question this year has been whether banks will be closed for Lohri, which is traditionally celebrated on January 13. The RBI holiday list, however, does not officially mandate Lohri as a bank holiday in the national or state-wise list for 2026. That means, in most places banks will remain open on January 13 for Lohri, unless a specific state authority designates it otherwise.
Bank Holidays Next Week: Banks to Remain Closed for 5 Days; Check City-Wise List
When Banks Will Be Closed?
In contrast to Lohri, Makar Sankranti does appear on the RBI’s bank holiday calendar but again, with regional coverage. According to the RBI holiday list:
- January 14, 2026: Banks will be closed in regions such as Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Itanagar for Makar Sankranti / Magh Bihu celebrations.
- January 15, 2026: Banks are shut in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim and select other regions for the continuation of harvest season festivities (often called Uttarayana Punyakala, Pongal or Makara/Maghe Sankranti).
Apart from these dates, January 16 and January 17 have additional holidays for Thiruvalluvar and Uzhavar Thirunal in the branches located in Tamil Nadu, while January 23 will see some parts of East and Northeast India closing down for Basanta Panchami and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti.
Key Takeaways For Bank Customers
The overall scenario for January 2026 is unmistakable:
- Lohri (January 13): Usually not a bank holiday, therefore, the majority of branches will be open.
- Makar Sankranti (January 14/15): Local bank holidays depending on your state. Please check with your local branch before making any plans.
- Routine weekly holidays (Sundays and designated Saturdays) and Republic Day are determined months in advance and apply to a large area.
