Table of Contents
Maharashtra has 24 declared public holidays in 2026, plus Bhaubeej (11 November) as an extra state-office holiday. Banks also close on 1 April for annual book closure.
If you run HR, payroll, or admin in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, or Thane, this guide gives you the full 2026 holiday calendar. Use it to lock your leave policy, plan payroll cut-offs around bank closures, and set shift rosters before January. The list covers three things: public holidays declared by the Maharashtra Government, bank holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, and key state observances like Gudi Padwa, Maharashtra Day, and Ganesh Chaturthi.
All dates should be confirmed against the official Maharashtra Government holiday notification for 2026 and the RBI bank holiday list. Festival dates that depend on the lunar calendar may shift by a day, so always cross-check with the gazette before publishing your internal company calendar.
What You’ll Discover Below:
- The official Maharashtra public holiday list for 2026, with dates and weekdays.
- A separate bank holiday list for Maharashtra (declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act).
- The simple difference between public, bank, and restricted holidays.
- A month-wise view of holidays from January to December 2026.
- How HR, payroll, and admin teams can use this list for leave planning, payroll cut-offs, and staffing.
- FAQs on Gudi Padwa, Maharashtra Day, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Diwali, and other key dates.
Main Government & Public Holidays in Maharashtra 2026
The Maharashtra Government has declared 24 public holidays for 2026 under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Bhaubeej (Nov 11) is an extra holiday only for state offices. Banks also remain closed on April 1 for annual account closures.
Note: Always verify against official government gazettes before finalizing the company holiday policy.
| Holiday | Date | Day | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January 2026 | Monday | Marks the day the Indian Constitution came into force in 1950. All offices, banks, and schools stay closed across India. |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti | 19 February 2026 | Thursday | A state-only holiday in Maharashtra. Celebrates the birth of the founder of the Maratha Empire. |
| Holi / Dhulivandan | 3 March 2026 | Tuesday | The festival of colors. In Maharashtra, the second day (Dhulivandan) is the official public holiday. |
| Gudi Padwa | 19 March 2026 | Thursday | Marks the Marathi New Year. Families put up a Gudi (decorated bamboo flag) outside their homes. |
| Ramzan-Id / Eid-ul-Fitr | 21 March 2026 | Saturday | Marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Date may shift by a day based on moon sighting. |
| Ram Navami | 26 March 2026 | Thursday | Celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. Observed across all districts in Maharashtra. |
| Mahavir Janma Kalyanak | 31 March 2026 | Tuesday | Birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | Observed by Christians worldwide. Public holiday for all government and bank offices. |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti | 14 April 2026 | Tuesday | Marks the birth of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. |
| Maharashtra Day / Buddha Purnima | 1 May 2026 | Friday | Celebrates the formation of Maharashtra on 1 May 1960. Buddha Purnima also falls on the same day. |
| Bakri Id / Eid-ul-Adha | 28 May 2026 | Thursday | A major Islamic festival of sacrifice. Date depends on moon sighting. |
| Muharram | 26 June 2026 | Friday | Observed by the Muslim community in memory of Imam Hussain. Date may change based on moon sighting. |
| Independence Day | 15 August 2026 | Saturday | Marks India’s freedom from British rule in 1947. All offices, banks, and schools stay closed. |
| Parsi New Year / Pateti | 16 August 2026 | Sunday | Marks the new year for the Parsi community. Maharashtra has a large Parsi population. |
| Id-e-Milad | 26 August 2026 | Wednesday | Marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Date may shift based on moon sighting. |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | 14 September 2026 | Monday | The biggest festival in Maharashtra. Starts a 10-day celebration in Mumbai, Pune, and other cities. |
| Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October 2026 | Friday | Marks the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. National holiday across India. |
| Dussehra / Vijayadashami | 20 October 2026 | Tuesday | Marks the victory of good over evil. Many businesses start new ventures on this day. |
| Diwali / Laxmi Pujan | 8 November 2026 | Sunday | The festival of lights. Families pray to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. |
| Bali Pratipada | 10 November 2026 | Tuesday | The day after Diwali. Marks the Marathi New Year for the business community. |
| Bhaubeej | 11 November 2026 | Wednesday | Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Extra holiday for state government offices in 2026. |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | 24 November 2026 | Tuesday | Marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. |
| Christmas | 25 December 2026 | Friday | Celebrated worldwide, this day marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Banks, schools, and most offices stay closed. |
This holiday list is applicable for the following cities:
Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane
Check holiday lists for all the Indian states here:
Month-Wise Bank Holidays in Maharashtra 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decides bank holidays in Maharashtra under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The RBI publishes a separate Holiday Matrix for Mumbai and Nagpur. Banks across Maharashtra remain closed on these dates, as well as on all Sundays and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month.
This list is useful for HR teams, payroll managers, and business owners who plan salary cycles, cheque clearances, and EMI dates to align with bank working days.
| Month | Bank Holidays |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Second Saturday (Jan 10), Fourth Saturday (Jan 24), Republic Day (Jan 26) |
| February 2026 | Second Saturday (Feb 14), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (Feb 19), Fourth Saturday (Feb 28) |
| March 2026 | Holi (Mar 3), Second Saturday (Mar 14), Gudi Padwa (Mar 19), Ramzan-Id / Fourth Saturday (Mar 21), Ram Navami (Mar 26), Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mar 31) |
| April 2026 | Annual Bank Closing Day (Apr 1), Good Friday (Apr 3), Second Saturday (Apr 11), Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti (Apr 14), Fourth Saturday (Apr 25) |
| May 2026 | Maharashtra Day / Buddha Purnima (May 1), Second Saturday (May 9), Fourth Saturday (May 23), Bakri Id (May 28) |
| June 2026 | Second Saturday (Jun 13), Muharram (Jun 26), Fourth Saturday (Jun 27) |
| July 2026 | Second Saturday (Jul 11), Fourth Saturday (Jul 25) — no festival holidays this month |
| August 2026 | Second Saturday (Aug 8), Independence Day (Aug 15), Fourth Saturday (Aug 22), Id-e-Milad (Aug 26) |
| September 2026 | Second Saturday (Sep 12), Ganesh Chaturthi (Sep 14), Fourth Saturday (Sep 26) |
| October 2026 | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2), Second Saturday (Oct 10), Dussehra (Oct 20), Fourth Saturday (Oct 24) |
| November 2026 | Diwali Balipratipada (Nov 9), Second Saturday (Nov 14), Guru Nanak Jayanti (Nov 24), Fourth Saturday (Nov 28) |
| December 2026 | Second Saturday (Dec 12), Christmas (Dec 25), Fourth Saturday (Dec 26) |
Month-Wise Maharashtra Holidays 2026
The following schedule outlines the official General Holidays and key Restricted Holidays (RH) for Maharashtra in 2026. This month-wise breakdown is essential for HR professionals to manage leave policies, payroll processing, and regulatory compliance throughout the year.
Here are Maharashtra Holidays for all 12 months of 2026
Maharashtra Holidays January 2026
- Republic Day (Jan 26)
Maharashtra Holidays February 2026
- Mahashivratri (Feb 15) — Restricted Holiday, falls on Sunday in 2026
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (Feb 19)
Maharashtra Holidays March 2026
- Holi (Second Day) (Mar 3)
- Gudhi Padwa (Mar 19)
- Ramzan-Id (Mar 21)
- Ram Navami (Mar 26)
- Mahavir Janmakalyanak (Mar 31)
Maharashtra Holidays April 2026
- Bank Account Closure Day (Apr 1)
- Good Friday (Apr 3)
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti (Apr 14)
Maharashtra Holidays May 2026
- Maharashtra Din / Buddha Purnima (May 1)
- Bakri Id (May 28)
Maharashtra Holidays June 2026
- Moharum (Jun 26)
Maharashtra Holidays July 2026
There are no holidays in Maharashtra in the month of July in 2026.
Maharashtra Holidays August 2026
- Independence Day (Aug 15)
- Parsi New Year / Pateti (Aug 16)
- Id-e-Milad (Aug 26)
Maharashtra Holidays September 2026
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Sep 14)
Maharashtra Holidays October 2026
- Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2)
- Dasara (Oct 20)
Maharashtra Holidays November 2026
- Diwali Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan) (Nov 8)
- Bali Pratipada (Nov 10)
- Bhaubeej (Nov 11)
- Guru Nanak Jayanti (Nov 24)
Maharashtra Holidays December 2026
- Christmas (Dec 25)
Difference Between Public Holiday, Bank Holiday, and Restricted Holiday
HR teams often mix up these three types of holidays. Here is a simple comparison to help you apply the right rule to each.
| Type | Who Declares It | Is It Mandatory? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Holiday | Declared by the Maharashtra State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and state notifications. | Mandatory for government offices and most private workplaces in the state. | Republic Day, Maharashtra Day, Independence Day |
| Bank Holiday | Notified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Negotiable Instruments Act for banks in Maharashtra. | Mandatory for all banks. Cheque clearing and NEFT/RTGS schedules adjust accordingly. | Annual Bank Closing Day (1 April), Good Friday, Diwali Balipratipada |
| Restricted Holiday | Listed by the government as optional. Employees can pick a limited number from this list. | Optional. Based on company policy and individual choice. | Holi (in some calendars), Janmashtami, Christmas Eve, Guru Nanak Jayanti |
Quick Tip for HR
A holiday can appear in more than one list. For example, Diwali is a public holiday for most offices and also a bank holiday for banks. Always check both the state notification and the RBI list before fixing your annual calendar.
Why does the Holiday List Matter for HR?
The Maharashtra Government has announced 24 public holidays for 2026, plus one extra holiday for Bhaubeej on November 11. Banks also have a special closing day on April 1. Source: The Maharashtra Government has officially released the public holiday calendar for 2026 through the General Administration Department (GAD) notification, declaring 24 public holidays for all state government offices. (Reference: Maharashtra State Gazette, GAD Circular 2026
HR, payroll, and operations teams use this list every day. Here is how it helps:
- Plan the yearly leave calendar: Mark all holidays in January. Employees can plan trips early. Managers know when teams will be small.
- Set shifts and rosters early: Hospitals, factories, BPOs, and shops run on holidays too. A clear list helps you plan shift swaps, weekly offs, and overtime pay.
- Match payroll with bank holidays: Salary can get stuck if payday falls on a bank holiday. Move your payroll cut-off 2–3 days earlier in March, April, and Diwali week.
- Stay legally safe: Under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017, paid leave on public holidays is a must. Skipping it can lead to fines.
- Update your HRMS or payroll software: Add all 24 holidays in the system at the start of the year. This stops wrong Loss of Pay (LOP) cuts and saves manual work later.
- Avoid festival salary delays: Long holiday weeks in March, May, and November can block salary credits. Release salaries one working day earlier to keep UPI, EMIs, and auto-debits running.
- Plan staff for long weekends: Festivals like Holi, Gudi Padwa, and Diwali often turn into 4–5-day breaks. Fix a leave quota per team so support, billing, and production do not stop.
Conclusion
HR teams in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Thane use this list every January to lock leave policies, payroll cut-offs, and shift rosters for the year. Once you know the difference between government holidays, bank holidays, and restricted holidays, your leave policy gets cleaner and payroll runs on time.
Confirm the final dates against the Maharashtra State Gazette and the RBI bank holiday circular before publishing your internal calendar. Festival dates that depend on moon sighting (Ramzan-Id, Bakri Id, Id-e-Milad) may shift by a day.
Update your HRMS or payroll software: Add all 24 holidays in January itself. A platform like factoHR auto-loads Maharashtra state holidays for every office location, so your team does not enter them manually for Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur separately. This stops wrong Loss of Pay (LOP) cuts and saves manual work later.
View State Holiday Calendars for 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Official Holidays are Expected in Maharashtra in 2026?
Maharashtra has 24 declared public holidays in 2026 under the General Administration Department (GAD) notification, plus Bhaubeej (11 November) as an additional holiday for state government offices. Banks observe these plus the Annual Closing Day on 1 April and every 2nd and 4th Saturday.
What is the date of Gudi Padwa in 2026?
Gudi Padwa is on 19th March 2026.
When is Maharashtra Day in 2026?
Maharashtra Day falls on 1st May 2026, which is a Friday.
On which day does Ganesh Chaturthi fall in 2026?
Ganesh Chaturthi is on 14th September 2026.
When is Anant Chaturdashi (Ganesh Visarjan) in 2026?
Anant Chaturdashi (Ganesh Visarjan) is on 25th September, 2026, which is a Friday.
Which date is Balipratipada (Govardhan Puja) in 2026?
Balipratipada (Govardhan Puja) is on 10th November 2026, which is a Tuesday. It marks the Marathi New Year for the business community and falls the day after Diwali.
Are all National Holidays Mandatory in Maharashtra?
Not always. Most national holidays are observed in Maharashtra, but private organizations may choose which to recognize based on their leave policy and collective agreements.
How Many Bank Holidays are there in Maharashtra in 2026?
Maharashtra banks observe approximately 21 declared bank holidays in 2026 (under the RBI Holiday Matrix for Mumbai and Nagpur), plus all Sundays and every 2nd and 4th Saturday. Including weekly offs, banks remain closed on roughly 90+ days through the year. The Annual Closing Day on 1 April is also a bank holiday but not a state government holiday.
When is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti in 2026?
Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti is on 19th February 2026, a state holiday.
Where can HR teams download the official Maharashtra 2026 holiday list?
HR should refer:
- Maharashtra Government Gazette or official state holiday notification
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bank holiday circular
Are Bank Holidays in Maharashtra Different from Government Holidays?
Yes, the two lists are not the same. Government holidays are declared by the Maharashtra State Government for offices and schools. Bank holidays are notified by the RBI for banks. Most festivals appear on both lists. But banks also stay closed on April 1 (Annual Bank Closing Day) and every 2nd and 4th Saturday, which are not government office holidays.
When are the Eid Holidays in Maharashtra in 2026?
Maharashtra has three Eid-related holidays in 2026:
- Ramzan-Id (Eid-ul-Fitr): 21 March 2026
- Bakri Id (Eid-ul-Adha): 28 May 2026
- Id-e-Milad: 26 August 2026
These dates depend on moon sighting and may shift by a day. Confirm the final Maharashtra Government notification before fixing leave or payroll dates.
Is Mahavir Jayanti a Public Holiday in Maharashtra?
Yes. Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti) falls on 31 March 2026 (Tuesday) and is a declared public holiday in Maharashtra. It marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara. All state government offices, schools, and most private workplaces stay closed. Banks in Maharashtra also observe this day under the RBI calendar.
How does the Holiday List Affect Payroll Processing?
The holiday list directly affects salary timing and compliance. If payday falls on a bank holiday, salaries get delayed. Move your payroll cut-off 2–3 days earlier in months with long holiday clusters. Mark all public holidays in your HRMS to avoid wrong Loss of Pay (LOP) cuts. Employees working on declared holidays get double pay under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017.
Disclaimer
The Maharashtra 2026 holiday dates on this page are tentative and based on the official notification issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Maharashtra, and the RBI Holiday Matrix.
Dates for Ramzan-Id, Bakri Id, Muharram, and Id-e-Milad may shift by a day based on moon sighting. State holidays may also change due to special government announcements.
Always verify with the official Maharashtra State Gazette or rbi.org.in before fixing your leave policy or payroll dates.