Durga Puja is one of the busiest times of the year in Kolkata, with the streets packed, pandals everywhere, celebrations going on all night, and people out in force at restaurants and bars. If you're planning to buy alcohol or go to your favorite bar during the festival, there is one thing you need to be aware of. The West Bengal government has announced a liquor ban for Maha Ashtami on 19th October 2026.
No, liquor shops in Kolkata will remain closed on Maha Ashtami (October 19, 2026). The West Bengal government announced the closure in September as part of a number of measures introduced in the run-up to Durga Puja.
This applies to all liquor shops and bars across West Bengal, not just in Kolkata. On Maha Ashtami, when devotees offer anjali to the Goddess Durga, the sale and service of alcohol will be banned in all such places. Anyone who wishes to buy alcohol for the occasion will have to do so before the ban takes effect.
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Bijoya Dashami is on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, which marks the end of Durga Puja and the beginning of the traditional farewell to the Goddess Durga. However, the announcements we've reviewed confirm a liquor ban for Maha Ashtami, not a separate statewide ban for Dashami.
This is a crucial distinction, as some online information refers to Dashami as a dry day without citing an official order for 2026. As things stand, the available reports do not confirm that all liquor shops in Kolkata will be closed on October 21. Anyone planning to buy alcohol or visit a bar on Dashami should check the latest West Bengal Excise Department notifications and confirm directly with the bar or establishment before visiting.
The main Durga Puja in Kolkata is in October this year, with a number of key religious events occurring in quick succession. There will be large crowds throughout the week, but the confirmed alcohol restriction applies specifically to Maha Ashtami.
These dates should not be considered the complete official dry day calendar. There may be additional local restrictions or updated excise notifications that could impact alcohol availability during this period.
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In addition to the Maha Ashtami alcohol ban, the West Bengal government has also announced a ban on DJ music during Durga Puja and on the immersion of the idols. Traditional music will, of course, still be an integral part of the celebrations, but DJs and loud sound systems will not be allowed under the new rules.
The government has also instructed organizers not to block any national highways for Puja-related activities. There are reports of restrictions on several major roads in Kolkata, including Red Road and Cathedral Road. The aim of these restrictions is to manage crowds, traffic, and public safety during one of the city's busiest annual events.
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Liquor shop hours in Kolkata will, of course, vary from shop to shop, depending on the license and the excise rules that apply. During Durga Puja, hours may also be different due to crowd management, local restrictions, and the announced dry day.
If you're planning to buy alcohol during the festival, don't assume your usual local shop will be open. Check directly with the retailer for their opening hours on October 20 and 21, and be aware that the confirmed Maha Ashtami closure is in effect across West Bengal.
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If you're asking whether liquor shops are open in Kolkata on Ashtami and Dashami, the answer for Ashtami is straightforward: October 19, 2026, will be a dry day across West Bengal, with all shops and bars required to close. For Dashami on October 21, the available announcements do not confirm a separate statewide liquor ban. With Durga Puja celebrations approaching, checking official excise updates and individual establishment hours is the safest way to avoid confusion.
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