Mahaparinirvan Diwas: Are banks and markets open on December 6? All you need to know

Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed on December 6 every year to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the key architects of the Indian constitution.

This year, the country will pay tribute to Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, fondly known as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar or Babasaheb, on his 68th death anniversary.

Local holiday in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government on December 4 announced a local holiday on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Declaring December 6 a local holiday to honour Dr Ambedkar and his contribution to the country, the government said in an official order that the orders apply to state government and semi-state government offices in Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban District.

Dahi Handi and Ganesh Visarjan were also declared as local holidays previously.

Are banks open tomorrow?

Yes, all banks, both public and private banks in Maharashtra, will be open on December 6. While it is a local holiday, so special trains have been announced and people are expected to celebrate Dr Ambedkar in their own ways and pay homage, most state functions will go on as usual.

Will markets be open?

Yes, markets will also be functional. BSE and NSE are expected to work like usual, as no circular has been issued by the exchanges.

What is closed?

The state and semi-state government offices will be closed tomorrow as a part of the local holiday. Additionally, the Mumbai city collector has announced that December 6 will be a dry day, which means that all the liquor shops will be closed.

What will be open?

All banks, stock markets and educational institutions, among others, will remain open on Friday, December 6.

Special trains

The Central Railway (CR) has announced 16 special unreserved trains for Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Furthermore, 12 additional suburban trains have been announced, six each on the main line and harbour line. These trains will be run by the Central Railways.

Swapnil Nila, the CPRO (Chief Public Relations Officer) of Central Railway, said that almost 300 additional RPF (Railway Protection Force) have been deployed as a safety measure for passengers.

Mumbai traffic police advisory

Apart from crowd management measures at the Dadar station, as Babasaheb was cremated at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar’s Shivaji Park, the Mumbai Traffic Police also issued an advisory for commuters through a social media post on X.