West Bengal Bans Liquor Sales on Maha Ashtami, Announces New Durga Puja Rules

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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a complete ban on the sale of alcohol across the state on Maha Ashtami during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations. All liquor shops and bars will remain closed on the day. The announcement comes alongside the state government’s guidelines for the festival, which include a Rs 1 lakh grant for puja committees, free electricity and a waiver of fees for mandatory fire safety licences. The government has also announced restrictions on immersion processions and discontinued the Durga Puja Carnival this year.

The Maha Ashtami restriction means no alcohol will be sold anywhere in West Bengal on the day. Adhikari said the decision was taken considering the religious significance of the occasion, when devotees offer pushpanjali to Goddess Durga.

The chief minister has also appealed to puja committees to respect religious and cultural traditions while preparing idols, pandals and themes. He urged organisers to avoid anything that could hurt religious sentiments and called for the sanctity of the festival to be maintained.