Change in dry day policy for Holi in Maharashtra? Government clarifies

Maharashtra Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh on Tuesday firmly rejected claims that the state had scrapped mandatory “dry days” for occasions such as Holi, Muharram, and Gandhi Jayanti. Calling the reports “fake news,” he clarified that there has been no change to the state’s liquor policy.

The clarification comes days after multiple posts on social media and reports alleged that Maharashtra Government has permitted liquor sale on all dry days including, Gandhi Jayanti and Republic Day, purportedly to curb illegal alcohol sales and boost excise revenue. Deshmukh, however, made it clear that the state will continue to enforce eight mandatory dry days under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.

According to the Prohibition Act, the liquor sale is banned on January 26 (Republic Day), January 30 (Martyrs' Day), May 1 (Maharashtra Day), Ashadhi Ekadashi, August 15 (Independence Day), Anant Chaturdashi, October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti/Prohibition Week) and Kartiki Ekadashi.

In 2026, along with the above mentioned days, several major religious festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Mahashivratri have also been regarded as dry day.

The commissioner also pointed out that under Section 142 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, district collectors have the authority to declare additional dry days in their respective areas if required.

Dry days in 2026

In January 2026

January 14 : Makar Sankranti
January 13–16: Maharashtra municipal elections (only in Maharashtra)
January 26 : Republic Day
January 30: Martyrs’ Day

In February 2026

February 15 : Mahashivratri
February 19 :Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti (only in Maharashtra)
February 23: Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti

In March 2026

March 4 : Holi
March 21 : Eid ul-Fitr
March 23 : Shaheed Diwas (only in Maharashtra)
March 26 : Ram Navami
March 31 : Mahavir Jayanti

In April 2026

April 3 : Good Friday
April 10 : Mahavir Jayanti
April 14 : Ambedkar Jayanti

In May 2026

May 1: Maharashtra Day (only in Maharashtra)
May 1 : Buddha Purnima
May 27 : Eid al-Adha (Bakrid)

In July 2026

July 25 (Saturday): Ashadi Ekadashi
July 29 (Wednesday): Guru Purnima

In August 2026

August 15: Independence Day
August 25 : Eid-e-Milad

In September 2026

September 4: Janmashtami
September 14 : Ganesh Chaturthi (only in Maharashtra and Karnataka)
September 25 : Anant Chaturdashi (only in Maharashtra)

In October 2026

October 2 : Gandhi Jayanti
October 7: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
October 20 : Dussehra

In November 2026

November 5 : Kartiki Ekadashi
November 8 : Diwali (only in Delhi-NCR)
November 24 : Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas
November 24 : Guru Nanak Jayanti

In December 2026

December 25 : Christmas

When is Holi?
This year, the colourful festival of Holi is being celebrated on March 4. The festival is of two-days, Holika Dahan will be observed on March 3, and Holi on March 4.  The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil.