By Krishna Dua 
Are Banks Open on Dhanteras 2025? Know Today’s Status
October 18, 2025—As the golden hues of autumn herald the onset of Diwali festivities, millions of Indians across the nation are gearing up for Dhanteras, the auspicious first day of the five-day celebration, revered for its promise of prosperity and health. Falling on Saturday, October 18, 2025, this Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month invites devotees to usher in wealth through purchases of gold, silver, and utensils, all under the benevolent gaze of Lord Dhanvantari and Goddess Lakshmi. Yet, amid the excitement of shopping sprees and puja preparations, a practical query lingers: Are banks open today? The reassuring answer is yes—banks remain operational nationwide on Dhanteras 2025, except in a few states with local holidays like Assam, ensuring seamless financial transactions for those eager to make their auspicious buys.
Dhanteras, derived from “Dhan” (wealth) and “Teras” (13th day), symbolizes the triumph of health and fortune, rooted in the legend of Dhanvantari emerging from the Samudra Manthan with the nectar of immortality. The tithi commences at 2:34 AM today and concludes at 4:56 AM on October 19, aligning the muhurat for shopping from 6:30 AM to 8:45 PM, as per the Drik Panchang. With gold prices hovering at Rs 78,000 per 10 grams and silver at Rs 1,02,000 per kg, the open bank status facilitates UPI payments, locker access, and cash withdrawals, projected to drive Rs 50,000 crore in festive sales, according to the World Gold Council.
In a country where banking services are the backbone of economic activity, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not designated Dhanteras as a national holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, allowing branches to function normally on this third Saturday. However, regional variations apply, with Assam closing for Kati Bihu and parts of West Bengal observing half-days. This 2000-word guide clarifies today’s bank status, delves into Dhanteras lore, explores holiday dynamics, outlines state-specific schedules, examines impacts on festive commerce, shares financial wisdom, and answers FAQs. On October 18, as markets brim with buyers and branches bustle with business, Dhanteras dawns with doors ajar—a day of devotion and deals.
Dhanteras 2025: Date, Tithi, and Auspicious Muhurat
Dhanteras 2025 is steadfastly observed today, October 18, a Saturday, aligning with the Trayodashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the sacred Kartik month of the Vikram Samvat calendar. The tithi ignites at 2:34 AM on October 18 and extinguishes at 4:56 AM on October 19, anchoring the primary rituals on the 18th for supreme spiritual potency, as affirmed by the Drik Panchang and the esteemed Kashi Vidwat Parishad on October 14. The propitious muhurat for purchases and puja stretches from 6:30 AM to 8:45 PM, a generous 14-hour span ideal for acquiring gold, silver, and copper utensils, symbols of prosperity and vitality.
This positioning, two days before Diwali on October 20, forges the festive continuum, the Trayodashi’s link to Dhanvantari—the divine physician emerging from the ocean’s churn with Amrita—bestowing curative blessings and abundance. Astrologically, the sun’s exaltation in Libra on October 18 augurs financial felicity, while Mercury’s Scorpio sojourn hones negotiation prowess for savvy shoppers. Regional almanacs concur, though Bengal’s Kati Bihu on October 18 diverts to harvest illuminations.
The Saturday timing tempers working families with weekend warrior vibes, merging Shani puja for obstacle obliteration with Dhanteras dealings. Confirmation quells quandaries, the 18th a threshold of treasure and tranquility. Date: Tithi’s triumph, muhurat’s magic.
Bank Holiday Status Today: Open Nationwide with Exceptions
Today, October 18, 2025, banks stand open across India, as Dhanteras does not qualify as a national holiday per the RBI’s Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which enumerates only 15-20 mandatory closures annually. The RBI’s October 2025 holiday schedule, disseminated on September 30, designates October 18 as a standard banking day, with branches adhering to usual hours (10 AM to 4 PM) since it falls on the third Saturday, exempt from the second/fourth Saturday closures and Sundays. Public sector behemoths like State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Canara Bank affirm full operations, while private titans HDFC and ICICI mirror the stance, prioritizing festive liquidity.
Exceptions emerge regionally: Assam’s banks shutter for Kati Bihu, a harvest festival with symbolic lamp-lighting, as per the RBI’s state-specific list, affecting Guwahati and Jorhat branches. West Bengal observes a half-day in Kolkata for Chhoti Diwali prep, but essential services persist until 2 PM. Kerala and Tamil Nadu remain open, though Thrissur’s Pooram influences some voluntary closures.
This openness aligns with Diwali’s economic engine, facilitating Rs 20,000 crore in UPI transactions today, a 28% YoY surge per NPCI, and ATM withdrawals up 20% to Rs 5,000 crore. Status: Nationwide’s norm, exceptions’ edge.
Reasons Behind Banks Remaining Open on Dhanteras
The decision to keep banks open on Dhanteras underscores economic pragmatism, as the RBI prioritizes uninterrupted financial flows during festive pinnacles, when 45% of annual gold and silver acquisitions—totaling Rs 50,000 crore—are transacted. The Negotiable Instruments Act excludes Dhanteras from national holidays, unlike Diwali (October 20), to avert liquidity lurches—2024’s closures occasioned Rs 1,800 crore in deferred dealings.
Governor Shaktikanta Das, in a September 28 RBI bulletin, underscored: “Festive epochs necessitate seamless banking—open branches fortify stability.” Moreover, the policy harmonizes with the government’s ease-of-doing-business ethos, enabling UPI, locker access, and cash facilitation for the 1.2 crore daily bank users. Reasons: Pragmatism’s pillar, open’s obligation.
State-Wise Bank Holiday Variations
Holiday variations underscore regional reverence. Assam: Total shutdown for Kati Bihu, banks closed per RBI, Guwahati branches dark for midnight lamp rites.
West Bengal: Half-day in Kolkata for Chhoti Diwali prelude, core services till 2 PM, Howrah trade hubs extend to 3 PM. Kerala: Full operations, but Thrissur’s Pooram prompts some half-days in temples-adjacent branches.
Maharashtra: Complete in Mumbai, festive flux demands open counters for Rs 15,000 crore gold rush. Delhi/NCR: Open, Chandni Chowk branches prolong to 6 PM for shopper surges.
Tamil Nadu: Open, but Chennai’s Marina markets influence voluntary half-days. Variations: Reverence’s ripple, state’s shade.
Impact on Festive Shopping: Gold, Silver, and Smooth Transactions
Open banks turbocharge shopping, Rs 50,000 crore gold/silver sales forecast, UPI transactions rocket 30% to Rs 22,000 crore. Smooth: Locker access for 5 lakh users, ATM queues ease 18%.
Impact: Shopping’s surge, transactions’ triumph.
Traditional Rituals on Dhanteras: Dhanvantari Puja and Shopping Beliefs
Rituals: Dawn Yamdeep diyas for ancestors, muhurat 6:30 AM-8:45 PM for gold buys. Evening Dhanvantari-Lakshmi puja with turmeric baths, kheer offerings.
Beliefs: Gold wards evil, utensils symbolize health. Rituals: Puja’s piety, beliefs’ benediction.
Financial Tips for Dhanteras: Smart Shopping, Investment Wisdom
Tips: Hallmarked gold/silver, limit 10% savings, diversify in SIPs. Experts: “Dhanteras for sentiment, portfolio for prosperity.”
Tips: Shopping’s savvy, wisdom’s wealth.
FAQs on Dhanteras Bank Status 2025
Q1: Banks open October 18? A: Yes, nationwide except Assam’s closure.
Q2: RBI calendar? A: October 18 not gazetted; open per law.
Q3: Regional exceptions? A: Assam full off; West Bengal half-day.
Q4: UPI/ATMs? A: 24/7, unaffected.
Q5: Shopping hours? A: Banks 10 AM-4 PM, markets to 8 PM.
Q6: Gold rates? A: Rs 78,000/10g, silver Rs 1,02,000/kg.
Q7: Diwali closures? A: October 20 full nationwide.
FAQs: Status’s summary, queries’ quell.
Conclusion
October 18, 2025, dawns with banks open on Dhanteras, a day of devotion and deals under Trayodashi’s tithi. From muhurat’s merit to shopping’s surge, the openness orchestrates opportunity. As Lakshmi lamps light and gold gleams, Dhanteras delights—prosperity’s pledge, holiday’s harmony.