West Bengal has announced that liquor shops and bars across the state will remain closed on Maha Ashtami, October 19, 2026, as part of the arrangements for Durga Puja. The decision means October 19 will be observed as a dry day in West Bengal, with the sale of liquor prohibited throughout the state.
According to the state’s official 2026 holiday calendar, Maha Ashtami falls on October 19, followed by Maha Navami on October 20 and Vijaya Dashami on October 21. Maha Ashtami is one of the most significant days of Durga Puja, when devotees participate in rituals, visit puja pandals and offer Anjali.
The dry-day decision is significant for the state’s liquor trade as the Durga Puja period is one of the busiest festive seasons in West Bengal. Liquor retailers, bars and consumers will therefore need to take the October 19 restriction into account while planning sales and purchases around the festival.
The government’s decision will also be relevant for visitors travelling to Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal during Durga Puja 2026. While liquor sales will remain prohibited on Maha Ashtami, normal liquor sales are expected to be governed by the applicable state excise rules on other permitted days.
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The announcement comes ahead of the main Durga Puja celebrations, with Mahalaya scheduled for October 10 this year. With the festival drawing large numbers of visitors and generating significant consumer activity, the dry-day order is expected to have a direct impact on liquor retailers and hospitality establishments across the state.
For the liquor industry, the Maha Ashtami closure represents an important regulatory restriction during one of the year’s major festive consumption periods. Businesses operating liquor shops, bars and other licensed establishments in West Bengal will need to comply with the state’s dry-day directive on October 19, 2026.
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