Amarnath Yatra 2023: Here's A List of Food Items Allowed

As preparations for the highly anticipated Shri Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 1, are underway, the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has issued a health advisory imposing a ban on several food items that could pose health risks to pilgrims undertaking the challenging pilgrimage.

The comprehensive food menu guidelines apply to langar organizations, food stalls, shops, and other establishments operating in the yatra area, serving and selling food to pilgrims and service providers.

The objective behind these measures is to steer pilgrims away from "unhealthy" food choices while traversing the demanding 14-kilometer-long trek, characterized by high altitudes and steep mountainous terrain.

The health advisory aims to enhance the safety of pilgrims following the unfortunate incidents of 42 pilgrim deaths during the Amarnath Yatra in 2022 due to natural causes. The government has implemented several measures, including the mandatory requirement of a health certificate, installation of oxygen booths, and the establishment of hospitals at various locations along the yatra route, to ensure the well-being of pilgrims.

Since last year, RFID tags have been employed to monitor the pilgrims' welfare. This year's health advisory further emphasizes the importance of consuming the right food for pilgrims to maintain their fitness during the pilgrimage.

The food menu bans the consumption of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, gutka, pan masala, smoking, and other intoxicants for religious reasons. Additionally, aerated cold drinks have been prohibited, while alternatives such as herbal tea, coffee, low-fat milk, fruit juices, lemon squash, and vegetable soup are permitted along the route.

The guidelines also prohibit fried rice but allow the consumption of normal rice and light food options such as roasted chana, poha, uthappam, idli, as well as dal-roti and chocolate. Foods like kheer, oats, dry fruits, honey, and boiled sweets are permitted. However, heavy items including chhola-bhatura, pooris, pizza, burgers, dosas, chowmein, and other fried foods are not allowed during the Amarnath Yatra.

Popular halwai items like halwa, jalebi, gulab jamun, ladoos, barfi, and rasgullas have also been banned, along with crunchy snacks high in fat and salts, including Kurkure and namkeen mixtures. Pakoras and samosas are strictly prohibited as well.