Holi 2025: From banks, liquor shops to stock market, schools, here's what is open and what's closed

Holi, the festival of colors, is one of the most vibrant and joyous celebrations in India. Marking the arrival of spring, it is observed with great enthusiasm across the country. People gather in open spaces, smearing each other with colored powders (gulal) and drenching in water balloons and pichkaris (water guns). Traditional sweets like gujiya and thandai add to the festive spirit. Holi also holds cultural and religious significance, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, as depicted in the legend of Prahlad and Holika. From grand celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan to lively street parties in metropolitan cities, Holi unites people in a spirit of joy, love, and togetherness.

Here's what is open and what's closed:

Stock market:

Indian equity markets will be closed on Friday, March 14, in observance of Holi, giving investors an extended weekend before trading resumes on Monday, March 17, as per the holiday schedule issued by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE. The closure will affect all market segments, including equities, derivatives, securities lending and borrowing (SLB), electronic gold receipts (EGR), and currency trading. Additionally, the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will also remain closed for the festival for its morning trading session from 09:00 am - 5:00 pm, according to their website. However, the exchange will remain open for its evening session from 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm.

Banks

Banks will remain closed in Gujarat, Orissa, Chandigarh, Sikkim, Assam, Hyderabad (AP & Telangana), Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan Jammu, Bengal, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Goa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, and Srinagar on March 14, 2025 for Holi.

School

State/Region	Holiday Dates	Details
Delhi	March 13-14 (Possibly till March 16)	Schools in Delhi will be closed on March 13 and 14. Since many schools follow a 5-day workweek, they might remain closed till March 16, resulting in a 4-day holiday.
Rajasthan	Likely 3-day holiday	Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Rajasthan. Schools may remain closed for three days in a row. However, students should verify the exact holiday schedule with their respective institutions.
Uttar Pradesh	March 13-14	Holi holds significant cultural importance in Uttar Pradesh, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, where grand celebrations take place. Schools will observe holidays on March 13 and 14.
Bihar & Jharkhand	Two-day holiday	In Bihar and Jharkhand, Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm, and schools will remain closed for two days in observance of the festival.
Madhya Pradesh	March 13-14	Schools in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in Bhopal and Indore, will be closed for two days to celebrate Holi.
Punjab & Haryana	Two-day holiday	Schools in Punjab and Haryana will remain closed for two days in observance of the Holi festival.
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh	March 14 (Friday)	The Telangana government has officially declared March 14 as a holiday for all schools and colleges. Since March 15 falls on a Saturday, some institutions might have a half-day or declare an additional holiday, leading to a 3-day break.
Karnataka & Other States	Varies	Different states modify school holiday schedules based on local customs, festivals, and government regulations. Karnataka and some other states traditionally recognize Holi as a school holiday, but the exact dates vary.

Liquor shops

The circular issued by the excise department indicated that in areas where collectors have not declared dry days, establishments selling liquor will remain open until midnight on Thursday. The sealed bottles from wine and beer shops could be purchased by customers until midnight, superseding the standard closing time of 10.30 pm for establishments, the circular specified. According to sources, no districts have historically declared a dry day for Holi except the alcohol-prohibited zones of Wardha and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. Select sensitive areas in Marathwada regions might face restrictions due to law and order considerations.