A total ban has been imposed on sale and consumption of liquor and meat within a 250 metre radius of all temples and heritage sites in Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ajay Bisht had earlier in April, announced a ban on liquor shops and sale of meat at all places of worships including Varanasi, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Deoband, Dewa Sharif, Misrikh-Naimisharanya.

He had directed officers of the Excise Department to prohibit the sale of liquor with a kilometre of Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Krishna Janambhoomi in Mathura and the Sangam area in Allahabad.