Archive · 7 Sep 2026
West Bengal Announces Major Durga Puja Rules for 2026
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced new rules for Durga Puja in 2026.
The state will not hold its usual Durga Puja Carnival this year.
Liquor cannot be sold anywhere in the state on Maha Ashtami.
Only Puja committees that truly need help may receive a Rs 1 lakh grant.
A large Mahalaya programme will be held at Eden Gardens with a drone show.
Organisers must keep national highways and 13 important Kolkata roads open.
DJs will not be allowed during the celebrations or idol immersions.
Cranes cannot be used to immerse idols.
Pandals can only be inaugurated during Matri Paksha, and organisers were asked not to offend religious sentiments through distorted idols or themes.
West Bengal will not hold its Durga Puja Carnival in 2026, ending a tradition followed since 2016.
Liquor sales will be banned statewide on Maha Ashtami, October 19, 2026.
Only genuinely needy Puja committees may receive the optional Rs 1 lakh grant after scrutiny.
A four-hour Mahalaya programme with a drone show will take place at Eden Gardens on October 10.
Organisers cannot block national highways or 13 designated Kolkata roads, use DJs or cranes for immersion, or inaugurate pandals before Mahalaya.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the guidelines for Durga Puja organisers and committees.
- What
- The state issued rules covering the carnival, liquor sales, grants, public roads, DJs, idol immersion and pandal inaugurations.
- When
- The guidelines apply to Durga Puja 2026; Maha Ashtami is October 19, and the Mahalaya programme is October 10.
- Where
- West Bengal, including Kolkata and Eden Gardens.
- Why
- To regulate Puja celebrations, limit disruption to major roads and highways, scrutinise grants, and avoid harm to religious sentiments.
- Durga Puja Carnival
- The state will not organise the carnival in 2026; the tradition had been followed since 2016.
- Liquor ban
- Liquor sales will be prohibited across West Bengal on Maha Ashtami, October 19, 2026.
- Puja grant
- A Rs 1 lakh optional grant will be available only to committees found genuinely needy after scrutiny.
- Mahalaya programme
- A four-hour programme will be held at Eden Gardens on October 10 and will include a drone show.
- Road restrictions
- Puja activities cannot block national highways or close 13 designated important roads in Kolkata.
- Celebration restrictions
- DJs are prohibited during Puja and immersion, while cranes are prohibited for idol immersion.
- Pandal inauguration
- Pandals cannot be inaugurated before Mahalaya and may open during Matri Paksha.