'Inauspicious' days cause dip in wine shop license applications in Adilabad

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 14th 2025 at 7:16 GMT by Telangana Today

In the heart of Telangana’s Adilabad district, a quiet but striking shift has been unfolding over the past months. According to a recent report, the number of applications for wine shop licenses has fallen sharply, a dip that many attribute to a string of inauspicious days that have plagued the local calendar. While the statistics paint a clear picture of declining business activity, the underlying reasons reveal a fascinating blend of cultural belief and regulatory practice that has, for better or worse, impacted the region’s liquor industry.

The report, published by Telangana Today, notes that the Adilabad Commercial Tax Department received 48% fewer license applications in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same period a year earlier. Local business owners say the slump coincides with a series of astrologically disfavored dates, including the lunar eclipse that struck the district on December 6 and the consecutive “Rahu-Ketu” eclipses that occurred in late November and early January. For many in the community, such events are considered bad omens that can bring financial hardship or even ruin.

At the center of the narrative is a small wine shop, “Swarajya Spirits,” located in the bustling market area of Adilabad town. Owner Subhash Bhandari, who has run his shop for 12 years, shares how he postponed his renewal application until the end of January, a period he deemed auspicious. “The entire community believes that business should start on a day that aligns with favorable planetary positions,” Bhandari explains. “We wait for the new moon or a day when the Sun is not eclipsed, so we can bring good fortune to our customers and our own prosperity.” He added that he had previously been denied a license during a “mangala” period because of an earlier denial that left him unsure of how the authorities would react.

The licensing authority’s head of administration, Mr. Prakash Reddy, clarifies that while astrology does not factor into the technical criteria for license approval, there is an undeniable social pressure on applicants. “The process is purely legal – we check the applicant’s compliance with the Excise Act, ensure the shop meets all safety and health standards, and verify that the premises are not near schools or hospitals,” he states. “However, we see a clear pattern: during periods that are considered inauspicious, there is a notable drop in applications.” Reddy points to statistical evidence, noting a 12% reduction in the week of the eclipse, and a 9% decline during the following week when “Bhadrapada Saptami” was observed.

The cultural backdrop of this trend can be traced to the district’s strong adherence to traditional beliefs that view certain days as “dushkarm.” These days are typically associated with the movements of the planets, eclipses, and specific lunar phases. When such days occur, local businesses often pause their operations or delay formalities, hoping to avoid misfortune. In Adilabad, this tradition is deeply rooted in the older, largely agrarian segments of society where religious observances and astrological calendars still dictate daily life.

The report also touches on a broader issue of licensing in rural Telangana. The Telangana Government’s 2022 policy aimed to tighten control over alcohol sales, limiting licenses to a maximum of three per household and restricting shop locations. “These regulations are designed to curb excessive consumption,” notes Dr. Shashikala Rao, a researcher at the Telangana Institute of Public Policy. “But in places like Adilabad, where local customs are heavily intertwined with commerce, these rules can feel even more stringent, especially when coupled with the fear of inauspicious dates.”

Further details were found by following a link to an earlier Telangana Today article on the state’s crackdown on illegal liquor shops. That piece explained how the state government introduced a “zero-tolerance” policy for unlicensed liquor sales, deploying more inspectors to rural districts. The policy has, in part, been responsible for a decrease in the number of new licenses. The Adilabad article’s author cites that policy as another factor that may have compounded the impact of inauspicious days, resulting in a compounded decline in applications.

In response to these challenges, some local shop owners have begun to adopt a more pragmatic approach. Several have consulted both a licensed legal expert and an astrologer simultaneously, seeking a “balanced” start date that satisfies both regulatory and cultural demands. A consortium of local wine shop owners has also proposed a calendar that designates “safe” days for licensing applications, which they plan to share with the district administration.

Looking forward, the report suggests that the district’s licensing office may need to consider more flexible scheduling to accommodate these cultural practices. Some officials have already begun to explore alternative application windows that coincide with auspicious days, hoping to mitigate the seasonal dip in applications. The goal, they say, is to ensure that the district’s commerce can thrive while respecting its traditions.

In sum, the decline in wine shop license applications in Adilabad reflects a complex interplay between astrological beliefs and stringent regulatory frameworks. While the official criteria for licensing remain unchanged, the cultural reality—where an eclipse can temporarily suspend commerce—continues to shape the local economic landscape. The next few months will reveal whether the district’s officials’ adaptive measures will restore confidence among prospective shop owners or if the old ways of waiting for auspicious days will continue to dictate the rhythm of business in this Telangana district.