The Reserve Bank of India announced that all state‑run and private banks in Meghalaya will be closed on Friday, 18 September, following the local Unitarian Anniversary Day.
Unlike the rest of the country, where banks will stay open, the RBI’s holiday list designates only Meghalaya for this observance, reflecting the faith’s regional importance.
The Unitarian Anniversary commemorates the 1887 prayer meeting founded by Hajom Kissor Singh, the first Unitarian church in the Khasi‑Jaintia Hills. It marks the start of the Ka Niam tradition that blends Khasi culture with social responsibility.
For shopkeepers in Shillong, the closure means a pause in daily cash flow, but many say the break allows them to attend the community prayers. One vendor, Nima Devi, said she would spend the day with her family and observe the festival.
The RBI’s holiday schedule also lists a weekly closure on Sunday, 20 September, and a series of regional holidays through the month, including Srimanta Sankardev Janmotsav in Assam and Ramdev Jayanti in Kerala.
Banks across India will reopen on Monday, 21 September, and the RBI will issue a revised holiday calendar on Monday to reflect any further state‑specific changes.