Liquor Ban In 19 Cities In MP Kicks Off From Today: Check Full List

Madhya Pradesh has implemented a liquor ban in 19 cities and gram panchayats including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Maihar.

A ban on liquor in 19 religious cities and areas under select gram panchayats in Madhya Pradesh, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Maihar, came into effect on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had announced the liquor ban decision and it was approved by the cabinet on January 24 at its meeting held in Maheshwar town, a place closely associated with legendary medieval-era queen Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar.

As part of the ban, all liquor shops and bars will be shut within the urban limits of:

• Ujjain
• Omkareshwar
• Maheshwar
• Mandleshwar
• Orchha
• Maihar
• Chitrakoot
• Datia
• Panna
• Mandla
• Multai
• Mandsaur
• Amarkantak

The prohibition will also extend to the gram panchayat limits of:

• Salkanpur
• Kundalpur
• Bandakpur
• Barmankalan
• Barmankhurd
• Linga

Speaking on this, state cabinet minister Vishvas Sarang said, as quoted by ANI, "Today onwards, liquor ban has been implemented in all the religious cities, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar...This ban has been implemented in a total of 19 cities...The goal behind this is to restrain all the activities which can be an obstacle in offering prayers..."

Traditional Liquor Offering To Lord Kaal Bhairav In Ujjain To Continue

This sweeping prohibition, however, will not affect the longstanding religious tradition of offering liquor to “Lord Kaal Bhairav” in Ujjain, a key aspect of local customs. Vendors selling liquor offerings to devotees outside the Lord Kaal Bhairav temple will continue to do so, despite the broader ban. The age-old ritual, where devotees present bottles of liquor to the deity, has been an integral part of the city’s spiritual identity for generations.