Varanasi Meat Shops to Close for Navratri Festival

The city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is temporarily stopping all meat and fish shops from operating.

This is because of the Navratri festival, a nine-day celebration.

The Mayor of Varanasi has told all such shops to close.

Officials will be checking to make sure the shops follow the rules.

If a shop doesn't close, the owners could face penalties.

Similar restrictions on meat sales often occur during Hindu festivals in Uttar Pradesh.

The state government previously banned meat sales near religious sites during the Chaitra Navratri festival.