India is set to celebrate Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, on Tuesday, October 20, and authorities across Delhi-NCR and several other states have issued detailed guidelines affecting everything from liquor sales and banking to schools and public transport on the festival day. Residents planning errands or outings should note the key changes before heading out.
The most significant announcement concerns alcohol sales. October 20 has been declared a Dry Day under excise regulations aimed at maintaining public peace, meaning all retail wine, beer, and liquor vends across the national capital will remain shut for the entire day. In Uttar Pradesh, local administrations and excise departments have ordered liquor outlets to stay closed during Dussehra festivities and idol immersion processions. Excise authorities have warned that any illegal sales or violations of the order will attract strict legal penalties.
Banking services will also be affected. As per Reserve Bank of India guidelines, public and private sector banks in most states will observe an official holiday for Vijaya Dashami, with branches remaining closed, except in Gangtok and Imphal where they will stay open. However, customers need not worry about access to their money, as online banking facilities, mobile apps, UPI payments, and ATMs will function normally throughout the holiday.
Students and parents should plan accordingly, as schools and colleges across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and neighbouring states will remain shut for the holiday.
Public transport will largely run as usual. Metro services and public buses are expected to operate on regular schedules, though frequency may be adjusted during peak festival hours to manage crowd movement. Traffic advisories have been imposed in several areas, particularly around Ramlila grounds and effigy-burning sites, and commuters are advised to plan their journeys before leaving home.
Essential services will remain unaffected. Emergency wards, pharmacies, and critical medical services at hospitals will operate round the clock without disruption, ensuring residents have uninterrupted access to healthcare through the festival.
Shoppers and diners have largely little to worry about, as retail centres, grocery outlets, and shopping malls will generally remain open. However, individual neighbourhood shops may observe reduced operating hours during the evening, particularly around effigy-burning ceremonies that mark the culmination of the Dussehra celebrations.
With lakhs of people expected to attend Ramlila events and Ravana effigy burnings across Delhi-NCR and other parts of the country, authorities have urged citizens to follow traffic advisories, use public transport where possible, and plan ahead. Whether it is stocking up on essentials, visiting a bank branch, or heading out for evening festivities, a quick check of what is open and closed on October 20 can save residents considerable time and inconvenience on the festival day.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dussehra-2026-dry-day-restrictions-bank-closures-and-whats-open-or-closed-12208340#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-10-20 00:14:00
