Banks across India will remain shut on the day of Muharram, leading to a disruption in public banking services.

India is set to observe Muharram on either July 6 or July 7, depending on the moon sighting, with July 6 currently marked as the official date. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year and is a significant religious observance, particularly for Shia Muslims.

Schools and Government Offices Closed?

On the day of Muharram, all central and state government offices, schools, colleges, post offices, and many private establishments across the country will remain closed. States with large Muslim populations – such as Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal – are expected to release official notifications in the coming days. Parents and students are advised to keep an eye on local school circulars and district announcements for confirmation.

Banks and Financial Institutions Shut?

Banks across India will remain shut on the day of Muharram, leading to a disruption in public banking services. Citizens are encouraged to complete any essential financial transactions in advance to avoid inconvenience.

Stock Markets and Exchanges Closed?

Trading activity on India’s major stock exchanges — the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) — will be suspended on Muharram. The closure will impact all segments, including equity, equity derivatives, currency and interest rate derivatives, and the Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) platform.

The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will also remain closed for the morning session. However, trading will resume in the evening from 5:00 PM to 11:30/11:55 PM.

Religious Significance of Muharram

Muharram is one of Islam’s four sacred months. The 10th day, known as Ashura, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali – Prophet Muhammad’s grandson – at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The day is marked by mourning processions, prayers, and religious gatherings across the country.

Apart from school holidays, several important national and international observances fall within this month. These include:

Important Days in July 2024: Full List of Observances & Holidays

July is packed with significant national and international observances, from health awareness days to historical commemorations. Here’s a detailed list of important dates in July 2024:

July 1

• National Doctor’s Day (India) – Honors doctors for their contributions to healthcare.
• National Postal Worker Day – Recognizes the hard work of postal service employees.
• Canada Day – Celebrates the formation of Canada as a federation (1867).
• Chartered Accountants Day (India) – Marks the founding of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in 1949.
• National U.S. Postage Stamp Day – Commemorates the history of postage stamps.
• National Gingersnap Day – Celebrates the sweet and spicy gingersnap cookies.

July 2

• World UFO Day – Raises awareness about unidentified flying objects.
• National Anisette Day – Celebrates the anise-flavored liquor popular in Europe.

July 3

• National Fried Clam Day (USA) – Honors the beloved seafood dish.

July 4

• U.S. Independence Day – Marks America’s independence from Britain in 1776.

July 6

• World Zoonoses Day – Raises awareness about diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

July 7

• World Chocolate Day – Celebrates the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550.

July 9

• National Sugar Cookie Day (USA) – Dedicated to the classic sugar cookie.

July 11

• World Population Day – Highlights global population issues.
• National 7-Eleven Day – Offers special deals at 7-Eleven stores.

July 12

• National Simplicity Day – Honors philosopher Henry David Thoreau’s advocacy for simple living.
• Paper Bag Day – Recognizes the invention of the paper bag (1852).
• Jagannath Rath Yatra (India) – A major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Jagannath’s chariot procession.

July 13

• National French Fry Day (USA) – Celebrates the iconic snack.

July 14

• Bastille Day (France) – Commemorates the French Revolution (1789).

July 15

• World Youth Skills Day – Promotes vocational and technical education.
• Social Media Giving Day – Encourages charitable donations via social media.

July 17

• World Day for International Justice – Promotes global criminal justice.
• World Emoji Day – Celebrates digital communication through emojis.

July 18

• Nelson Mandela International Day – Honors Mandela’s legacy of peace and justice.

July 20

• International Chess Day – Marks the founding of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
• Moon Day – Celebrates the first moon landing (1969).

July 22

• Pi Approximation Day – Recognizes the mathematical constant π (22/7).
• National Mango Day (India) – Celebrates the king of fruits.
• Chandrayaan-2 Launch Anniversary (India) – Marks India’s lunar mission (2019).

July 24

• National Thermal Engineer Day – Honors thermal engineering advancements.

July 25

• National Parents’ Day (4th Sunday of July) – Celebrates parents’ contributions.
• World Embryologist Day – Marks the birth of the first IVF baby (1978).

July 26

• Kargil Vijay Diwas (India) – Honors India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War.

July 29

• International Tiger Day – Promotes tiger conservation efforts.