The Muharram Holiday 2026 will fall on Friday, June 26, across most Indian states that officially observe the occasion. Thursday, June 25, is expected to remain a working day in most places. The confusion started because several advance calendars showed June 25, while the final observance depended on the local sighting of the Muharram crescent.
India began Muharram a day later than Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries. Consequently, Ashura falls on June 26 in India, while it is observed on June 25 in parts of the Middle East. Andhra Pradesh revised its school holiday to June 26. Kerala also cancelled its earlier June 25 holiday and shifted the public closure to Friday.
Why Did The Muharram Holiday Date Change?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Its dates cannot always be fixed permanently on the Gregorian calendar because the Islamic month begins after the crescent moon is sighted. Differences in moon sightings can move an observance by one day between countries.
Saudi Arabia began Muharram 1448 AH on June 16, placing Ashura on June 25. India began the month later, making Friday, June 26, the relevant date for the Muharram Holiday 2026. International calendars, travel applications and older holiday lists may therefore display June 25, while updated Indian announcements point to June 26.
The Government of India’s online holiday calendar earlier displayed Muharram on June 25. However, the Reserve Bank of India’s updated June matrix lists “Muharram/Last Day of Moharam/Ashoora” on June 26 for numerous banking regions.
What Changed In Kerala And Andhra Pradesh?
Kerala initially listed Thursday, June 25, as its public holiday. The state later moved the holiday to Friday, June 26, and made June 25 a working day. Banks and state government offices covered by the revised order are expected to follow the Friday closure.
Andhra Pradesh made a similar correction for schools. The government moved the Muharram school holiday to June 26 so the academic calendar matched the confirmed religious observance. Students should avoid relying on older calendar screenshots circulating through WhatsApp because those images may show the previous date.
No verified post from an official central government X or Instagram account clearly announcing a nationwide date revision was publicly available at the time of writing. Readers should depend on government portals, departmental notices and institutional circulars rather than unofficial social-media posts.
State-Wise Muharram Holiday 2026 List
The following state-wise guide reflects updated calendars, revised reports and the RBI banking holiday matrix. School and private-office arrangements can differ because individual institutions may issue separate notices.
- June 26 confirmed or listed: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala following its revised order.
- RBI bank closures on June 26: Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Srinagar and Vijayawada.
- No June 26 bank closure shown in the RBI matrix: Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gangtok, Guwahati, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Kochi, Kohima, Panaji, Shillong, Shimla and Thiruvananthapuram.
- June 25 status: It will generally remain a working day in India, including Kerala after the state withdrew its earlier Thursday holiday.
- Private schools and companies: Closure is not automatic. Managements may follow state orders, local directions or their approved annual holiday calendars.
The RBI matrix also shows a June 26 holiday for several major banking centres, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Patna. Customers should check their city before visiting a branch.
This state-wise list should not be treated as one nationwide direction covering every organisation. A government office may remain closed while a private workplace operates normally. A school may also announce a holiday even where banks remain open.
Will Schools, Banks, Offices And Markets Remain Closed?
Government schools in states recognising Muharram as a public holiday are expected to close on June 26. Andhra Pradesh has specifically shifted its school holiday to that date. CBSE, ICSE and private schools generally follow local government directions, although parents should check the school application, notice board or class group before making plans.
Government offices covered by state holiday notifications will generally remain closed on Friday. Private offices are not required to follow every government holiday, particularly where Muharram is treated as a restricted or optional holiday. Employees should refer to their company calendar or human resources notice.
Banks will close only in regions where June 26 appears under the Negotiable Instruments Act. UPI, mobile banking, ATMs and internet banking should continue to work, although cheque processing and counter services may be delayed.
The NSE and BSE will also remain closed for trading on Friday, June 26. The date creates a longer break because June 27 is the fourth Saturday and June 28 is Sunday.
What Should Parents And Employees Check Before Thursday Night?
Do not depend only on a generic calendar downloaded several months ago. Look for a dated circular from the school, employer, university, district administration or state department.
Parents should separately check examination schedules, coaching classes, school transport and childcare services. Employees working in healthcare, hospitality, retail, transport, media or other essential sectors may have normal or rotational duties.
For most readers, the final position is straightforward: June 25 is a working day, while June 26 is the main Muharram Holiday 2026 across participating states. Local exceptions remain possible, particularly for private establishments and places where Muharram is not included in the official holiday list.
Trains, flights, buses, hospitals, emergency services, restaurants and shopping centres will not close automatically. Commuters may, however, face traffic diversions near Muharram processions, imambaras and major gathering points.
FAQs
1. Is Muharram Holiday 2026 On June 25 Or June 26?
Most Indian states will observe Muharram on Friday, June 26, following the local moon sighting.
2. Will Schools Remain Closed On June 26?
Government schools in participating states should close, while private schools must confirm through individual notices.
3. Is June 25 A Working Day In Kerala?
Yes, Kerala cancelled its June 25 holiday and shifted Muharram leave to June 26 instead.
4. Will Banks Close Across India On June 26?
No, RBI lists closures for selected banking regions, so customers should verify their local branches.
5. Will The Stock Market Open On June 26?
No, both NSE and BSE will remain closed for the Muharram trading holiday on Friday.