West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a series of new guidelines for this year’s Durga Puja celebrations, including a statewide liquor ban on Maha Ashtami, a restriction on DJ music during immersion processions and the cancellation of the post-Puja carnival. Want to know more about the new guidelines? Read on.
West Bengal Announces Liquor Ban On Maha Ashtami
According to reports by India Today, under the new directions, liquor shops and bars across the state will remain closed on Maha Ashtami, a day of major religious significance during the festival. Adhikari said the decision was intended to respect the religious nature of the occasion.
The government has also decided to discontinue the annual Durga Puja carnival held on Kolkata’s Red Road. The event, introduced during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure, traditionally featured a parade of idols from prominent puja committees before immersion. Adhikari has also asked Puja committees to avoid DJ music during idol immersion processions. He urged organisers to complete immersions before Lakshmi Puja, which falls on October 25 this year, to avoid clashes between major festive events.
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The Chief Minister further appealed to organisers to ensure that idols, pandals and themes do not hurt religious sentiments or distort Bengal’s cultural and religious traditions. The direction comes as elaborate theme-based pandals and artistic interpretations have become a major attraction during Kolkata’s Durga Puja.
Bengal Govt To Provide ₹1 Lakh Grant And Free Electricity
The Bengal government will provide ₹1 lakh grants to eligible Durga Puja committees, along with free electricity for the celebrations. Fees for mandatory fire safety licences will also be waived. However, Adhikari urged large and financially well-supported committees to avoid seeking government assistance if they can fund their celebrations independently. He pointed to the traditional practice of collecting voluntary contributions, or chanda, to finance community Pujas.
The new measures mark a significant change in the way the state plans to manage this year’s festivities, combining financial support for organisers with tighter guidelines around alcohol sales, immersion processions and the presentation of religious themes.
What are your thoughts about the new rules and guidelines?
Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Monojit Dutta
FAQs
What are the 5 days of Durga Puja?
The five main days of Durga Puja are Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Vijayadashami.