New Durga Puja Rules for 2026 in West Bengal

New Durga Puja Rules for 2026 in West Bengal

1. Major Changes Announced by State Government

This year’s guidelines were announced by CM Suvendu Adhikari at a meeting with organisers:

1. Liquor ban on Maha Ashtami: All liquor shops and bars across West Bengal will remain closed on Maha Ashtami – October 19, 2026. No liquor will be sold in shops or bars on that day. Ashtami is Monday, Oct 19, Navami Oct 20, Dashami Oct 21.

2. Complete DJ ban: DJ music is banned both during Puja festivities and during immersion processions. The aim is to keep celebrations traditional and reduce noise pollution.

3. No Red Road Carnival: The state will NOT organise the Durga Puja Carnival (the post-Puja showcase on Red Road) this year, breaking the tradition since 2016. Instead, a 4-hour grand Mahalaya programme with drone show will be held at Eden Gardens on Oct 10.

4. No blocking of highways & major roads: Organisers cannot block National Highways for Puja. In Kolkata, 13 major roads including Red Road and Cathedral Road are marked as no-closure zones.

5. No cranes for immersion: Use of cranes will not be permitted at immersion ghats.

6. No early inaugurations: No pandal inauguration before Devi Paksha / Mahalaya. Inaugurations only allowed during Matri Paksha.

7. Theme & idol guidelines: Pandals and themes must reflect original significance and not hurt religious sentiments or undermine Sanatan traditions. Theme-based Pujas are still permitted.

8. Immersion timeline: Immersion must be completed within the stipulated period before Lakshmi Puja.

9. Grant system changed: Grants of Rs 1 lakh will now be “optional” and only for needy committees after scrutiny, not for all big-budget committees.

10. Other cultural initiatives: Two-day cultural programmes in six major cities, special programmes at six designated immersion ghats, and special arrangements for persons with disabilities, old-age home residents and ashram residents to visit pandals.

2. Kolkata Police Safety Rules

From Lalbazar’s coordination meeting at Nazrul Mancha:

• No obstruction of CCTV / signals: Pandals and advertisements must not cover CCTV cameras or block view of traffic signals.
• Entry/exit norms: Equal capacity for entry and exit gates, no elevated ramps in major puja hubs, no parking near exits.
• Security audit: Advance audit to identify controversial themes and monitor committee infighting that could cause law-and-order issues.
• No subscription harassment: Strict warning against harassing public for chanda/subscription.
• Idol height: 11-foot height limit enforced in Kumartuli area due to high-voltage overhead wires.

If you are pandal-hopping in Kolkata this year, plan around Oct 19 being a dry day, avoid DJ-based processions, and expect traffic diversions but no total closure of the 13 major roads.