The Madhya Pradesh government’s ban on liquor sales in religious areas officially took effect on Tuesday, shutting down all alcohol shops within Ujjain municipal limits, including two near the Kal Bhairav Temple. While devotees can still offer liquor as part of temple rituals, they will now have to purchase it from outlets outside city limits.
Excise Commissioner Abhijeet Agrawal confirmed that all licensed bars and retail liquor outlets in Ujjain are now closed. However, devotees can carry up to four legally purchased bottles without documentation, while carrying more than four requires proper paperwork. The temple has been permitted to maintain a two-day stock for daily pooja offerings, as per priest Omprakash Chaturvedi.
Ahead of the ban, liquor shop owners were required to submit affidavits pledging not to sell alcohol. Authorities, including Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma, have warned against illegal sales, with regular inspections and strict enforcement in place.
The liquor ban, announced in January, covers 19 religious sites across the state, including Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Maihar, Orchha, Nalkheda, and Datia. Assistant Excise Commissioner Vikramdeep Singh Sangar stated that 17 shops and 11 bars have been shut in Ujjain, with excise and police teams conducting searches every four hours to ensure compliance.
