The date of 14th January is a special day in the Indian cultural calendar, with several harvest and seasonal festivals like Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, and Uttarayana celebrated in different parts of India. However, when it comes to financial markets such as the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX), the importance of the day in terms of culture does not necessarily equate to a trading holiday.Let's understand the stock market trading status, festival observances, and how trading activities may be affected by bank closures in the different states on 14th January 2026.Key festivals on 14th January 2026Several festivals are celebrated across different regions on the 14th January. These include:Makar Sankranti: A major harvest festival, where Surya (the Sun God) is worshipped, as it is a day that sees a change in the position of the sun to Capricorn (Makara), symbolising the beginning of longer days and the end of winter. It is celebrated with kite flying, sesame-jaggery sweets, prayers, and regional traditions observed in many states across the north and west regions.Pongal: Pongal, an important festival in Tamil Nadu, commences from January 13 to 17 and is observed to pay tribute to Surya, alias the Sun God, and symbolises prosperity.Lohri: In Punjab and neighbouring regions, people celebrate with bonfires, musical events, and traditional food.Magh Bihu: Magh Bihu is a festival that is celebrated in the state of Assam and some places in Northeast India. It is celebrated through feasts and community gatherings.Uttarayana, Maghe Sankranti, Punyakala: These names have been used in different states as alternatives to the names of similar harvest festivals celebrated on 14th January. These festivals hold great cultural significance and sometimes result in public holidays and bank holidays in some states, but they do not have the financial markets closed on the 14th January, 2026.Stock market trading status on 14th January 2026Despite the festive mood all over India, the Indian Stock Markets will be open on 14th January, 2026. The official 2026 trading holiday calendar issued by exchanges does not include 14th January as a trading holiday, which means that regular trading will take place in all major segments: equities, derivatives (equity & commodity), currency, bonds, and commodities.NSE & BSE: Both exchanges will be operating normally on 14th January, within their standard market hours from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.MCX Commodities: The Multi-Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) also has a set schedule of holidays for 2026 that does not mention 14th January as a trading holiday. Commodity derivatives (including metals, energy, and agriculture contracts) will trade as usual on 14th January 2026, under normal morning and evening session timings.Bank holidays in different states on 14th JanuaryWhile the stock market is open, banks in some states may be closed on the 14th January 2026, which can impact the settlement cycles, transfer of funds, and other banking operations. 14th January 2026 is a bank holiday in the following Indian states and UTs: DateHolidayAffected States / Pan-India14th JanuaryPongalAndhra Pradesh14th JanuaryMakara SankrantiArunachal Pradesh14th JanuaryMakara SankrantiGujarat14th JanuaryMakara SankrantiKarnataka14th JanuaryMakara SankrantiOdisha14th JanuaryPongalPuducherry14th JanuaryMakara SankrantiSikkim14th JanuaryPongalTamil Nadu14th JanuaryPongalTelangana Impact on banking transactionsBecause of the bank holiday on 14th January in some states, several banking operations in these states will be impacted, such as:Physical branches of banks will stay shut in these states, affecting over-the-counter bank services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, and cheque clearances.Digital banking services like UPI, NEFT/RTGS, mobile, and internet banking will remain operational as normal, as these systems are not affected by branch-level holidays.ATM withdrawals and the online payment of bills will not be affected, but the availability of cash at some ATMs may be limited because of reduced staff.In states where banks are open, day-to-day financial operations will continue normally, while in closed states, customers have to rely on digital channels.What should investors do?Here are some practical tips for market participants who are planning to trade on 14th January:Check your bank's holiday list: Check whether the bank branch you are using is closed on 14th January.Plan ahead: If you require banking services around 14th January, plan on making fund transfers and deposits before the holiday.Utilise online banking: Make use of online transactions such as UPI or online NEFT/RTGS for processing payments.Trade confidently: You can place orders and participate in markets as usual on NSE, BSE, and MCX, as exchanges will operate normally on 14th January.Avoid last-minute mutual fund orders: NAV cut-off timings shift to the next working day during bank holidays.Monitor settlements: Monitor settlements and movement of funds using your broker platform, linked to your bank account.Final thoughtsJanuary 14th, 2026, is filled with cultural significance as several harvest festivals are celebrated across India. However, when it comes to the financial world, trading on NSE, BSE, and MCX will continue as usual on 14th January, as it will be a normal trading day, not a market holiday.Traders and investors can engage in market activities like any other day, and customers in regions where banks are closed due to the regional holiday on 14th January should plan financial transactions accordingly. With no impact on digital channels, they can also use them for banking operations.In essence, the festival of 14th January will not affect trading or investment decisions in any way because only a few banking services might be temporarily impacted.