It wouldn’t be wrong to say that October feels like the Friday of any year! The year’s about to end and only a few months remain, making October the perfect time to start letting loose and enter the party mode. However, hold on! Before you grab your Martinis and crowd the dance floor, you must know that there are a few ‘dry days’ in October 2025. Days when the sale of liquor is strictly prohibited in either all parts of India or in a specific region, depending on the occasion. And as your trusted pals, team unsobered is here to guide you through the October dry days in 2025.
In India, there are several events, days, and occasions that hold religious, cultural, or national importance. These include festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Good Friday, Maha Shivratri, and more, as well as days of national importance like Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.
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To honor their significance, the sale of alcohol is prohibited across the country or in specific states and regions. Dry days are observed to also uphold the cultural values and prevent public disturbances that might arise on these occasions. Individuals can still consume liquor inside their own homes on dry days – it’s just the public sale and consumption that is prohibited on dry days.
And while sale of alcohol is prohibited only on certain occasions in most states of India, there are some states where there is a permanent blanket ban on alcohol. Called the ‘Dry States’ of India, these include Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Lakshwadweep. Public sale as well as consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in these states and territories.
Occasion: Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra
October 2 is a dry day each year, due to the day commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. As one of India’s most influential freedom fighters, Mahatma Gandhi advocated the use of Swadeshi goods and protested against alcohol consumption and other vices. To honor his legacy, Gandhi Jayanti is observed as a dry day throughout India. In 2025, Gandhi Jayanti will also coincide with the Hindu festival of Dussehra. This adds more cultural and religious significance to the dry day.
Dry Day: Nationwide
Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti
Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti honors the birth anniversary of the great Indian poet and philosopher, Maharshi Valmiki. He is credited with being the author of one of the world’s oldest and most revered epic poems, the Ramayana. The Balmiki religious group, particularly concentrated in parts of North India, celebrates the Jayanti with great zeal each year. Although the Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti isn’t celebrated across India, Delhi observes an official dry day in the honor of this great Indian poet.
Dry Day: Only in Delhi
Diwali
Diwali or Deepavali is a festival that is celebrated almost across the entirety of India. The festival, famously known as the ‘festival of lights’ is celebrated with great pomp, with families lighting earthen lamps, burning firecrackers as well as exchanging gifts and sweets with each other. Even though it is a widely celebrated Hindu festival, Diwali is not observed as a dry day in most parts of India. It is only an official dry day in the national capital of Delhi.
Dry Day: Only in Delhi
Also Read: Dry Days In 2025: Your Ultimate Calendar
If you’re confused if a certain day is a dry day or not, you must check and confirm with these following sources:
Did you take note of these dry days in October 2025? There is only one official dry day that is a nationwide dry day, with two other dry days only limited to Delhi. So, plan your parties and celebrations accordingly and consume alcohol responsibly. Stock up on your favorite liquor (responsibly) and let the good times roll!
Yes, October 2 is a dry day in India. This is because October 2 is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti and is marked as a national day of importance.
A day is called a dry day when the sale of alcohol is prohibited, especially on days of important festivals, national days of importance, and election days. While some dry days are applicable nationwide, some are only applicable to certain states based on state laws and regulations.
No, Diwali is not a dry day across India. It is only a dry day in Delhi and the dry states of India. Sale of alcohol is permitted in all other states and regions of India.
