Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated across India on Friday, August 28, 2026, coinciding with Shravana Purnima. The festival, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, will also bring a state-specific holiday for bank branches in several parts of the country. However, August 28 is not a uniform bank holiday across India, with closures varying according to the Reserve Bank of India’s city-wise holiday calendar.

The day is also significant from an astronomical perspective as a partial lunar eclipse is scheduled for August 28. According to NASA’s eclipse data, the partial lunar eclipse will reach its greatest phase at around 4:12 UTC, with the event falling during the August 27–28 eclipse period.

Raksha Bandhan on August 28

Raksha Bandhan is traditionally observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana, also known as Shravan Purnima. On the occasion, sisters tie rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and offer prayers for their well-being, while brothers traditionally express their affection and commitment to protect their sisters.

In 2026, the festival falls on August 28. Shravana Purnima begins on August 27 and continues into August 28, making the latter the principal day for Raksha Bandhan observances in many parts of the country.

Bank Holiday Is Not Nationwide

Although Raksha Bandhan is widely observed, bank branches will not be closed across every state and city on August 28. The RBI holiday calendar provides for regional closures based on local festivals and observances.

According to the latest city-wise holiday information, bank branches are scheduled to remain closed in several locations, including Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Lucknow, Shimla, Srinagar and Thiruvananthapuram. Other reports also list states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and parts of the northeastern region among areas where closures apply.

Customers planning branch visits should therefore check the holiday schedule applicable to their city rather than assuming that all bank branches will be shut. Digital services such as internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and ATMs generally remain available even when physical branches are closed.

Lunar Eclipse Adds Significance

August 28 will also coincide with a partial lunar eclipse. NASA lists the event as the second lunar eclipse of 2026, following the total lunar eclipse in March. The August event has a maximum eclipse magnitude of about 0.93 and reaches its greatest point at approximately 4:12 UTC.

Because eclipse visibility depends on the location of the Moon relative to the horizon, the event should not automatically be treated as visible from every part of India. Astronomical timings should also be distinguished from religious interpretations or local Panchang calculations.

PMJDY Anniversary Connection

August 28 also marks the anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), which was launched by the Government of India on August 28, 2014. The date therefore marks 12 years since the financial-inclusion scheme was launched.

The anniversary connection should not, however, be confused with a newly announced national government programme. There is no indication in the information available for this report of a separate nationwide mega government event specifically scheduled for August 28, 2026.

What People Should Know

For the public, August 28 is primarily important as the date of Raksha Bandhan and Shravana Purnima, while the bank holiday status depends on the location. People who need branch-based banking services should verify their local bank holiday before visiting.

The lunar eclipse is a separate astronomical event and does not by itself mean that all banking or government activities will be suspended. Religious practices surrounding the eclipse, including beliefs concerning Sutak or the timing of rituals, vary according to regional traditions and Panchang calculations.

With Raksha Bandhan, Shravana Purnima and the lunar eclipse occurring around the same date, August 28 is set to be a notable day on India’s religious and cultural calendar, while the PMJDY anniversary adds a separate public-policy milestone to the date.