New Delhi: In its health advisory for the annual Amarnath Yatra issued by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, the authority has banned a series of food items that could prove detrimental to the health of pilgrims on the arduous trek. From July 1, devotees cannot have cold drinks, crunchy snacks, deep-fried and fast food items, heavy sweets like jalebi and halwa, pooris and chhole bhature on the yatra.
A detailed food menu has been prepared that shall apply to Langar organisations, food stalls, shops and other establishments which come up in the yatra area to serve and sell food to the pilgrims and service providers. The idea is to keep pilgrims away from ‘unhealthy’ food items on the challenging 14-km long trek that passes through high altitudes and steep mountainous terrain, News18 reported.
Nearly 42 pilgrims died in 2022 during the Amaranth Yatra due to natural causes. The government insists on a mandatory requirement of compulsory health certificate and has taken steps like the installation of oxygen booths and the setting up of hospitals at various locations along teh Yatra route to keep pilgrims safe.
Since last year, RFID tags are also used to monitor the well-being of the Yatris. The health advisory for this year is another step to ensure pilgrims ‘eat right’ during the pilgrimage to be fit.
What is banned
Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, gutka, pan masala, smoking, intoxicants and aerated cold drinks.
Fried rice.
Chhola-bhatura, pooris, pizza and burgers, dosas and chowmein along with other fried foods.
All halwai items like halwa, jalebi, gulab jamun, ladoos, barfi and rasgullas.
Crunchy snacks that are high in fat and salts and popular items like Kurkure and namkeen mixtures, Pakoras and samosas.
What is allowed
Herbal tea, coffee, low-fat milk, fruit juices, lemon squash and vegetable soup.
Normal rice.
Light food like roasted chana, poha, uthappam, idli.
Dal-roti and chocolate. Kheer, oats, dry fruits, honey and boiled sweets.
