Ayodhya Bans Sale And Delivery Of Non-Veg Food Near Ram Mandir; Here’s The List Of Cities Where Non-Veg Is Ban

The Ayodhya district administration has imposed a ban on the sale and delivery of non-vegetarian food within a 15-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

The decision comes after several complaints about the delivery of non-veg items near the temple and surrounding areas.

The order is part of the administration's effort to maintain the spiritual and religious sanctity of the holy city. Hotels, restaurants, and homestays located within this area have been asked to strictly follow the rule and immediately stop serving non-vegetarian dishes or alcoholic beverages.

Strict Action and Continuous Monitoring

Officials have issued a warning to all food outlets, hotels, and delivery platforms operating near the temple, asking them to follow the ban without exception. Local authorities have also informed major food delivery companies to suspend non-veg orders in the restricted area.

A senior district officer stated that continuous inspection and monitoring will be carried out to ensure that the ban is properly implemented. Any business found violating the order could face legal action or cancellation of its license.

However, reports suggest that over two dozen licensed liquor shops still continue to operate along the Ram Path, despite the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation passing a resolution in May 2023 to ban both alcohol and non-vegetarian food within a 14-kilometre stretch of the temple zone. The administration has now reiterated its commitment to enforce the ban fully.

Preserving the Sanctity of the Holy City

The move comes almost a year after the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple was inaugurated on January 22, 2024, in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision reflects an effort to protect the city's religious atmosphere and cultural identity as Ayodhya prepares to welcome lakhs of devotees every year.

Officials believe that restricting the sale and delivery of meat and alcohol will help keep the temple area pure and in line with the sentiments of worshippers.
Other Cities With Similar Restrictions

Ayodhya now joins several other religious cities in India that have banned or heavily restricted the sale of non-vegetarian food in sacred zones.

These include:

Palitana (Gujarat) - A Jain pilgrimage city where the sale and consumption of meat, fish, and eggs are completely banned.
Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) - Known for yoga and spirituality, where only vegetarian food is permitted within city limits.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Another major pilgrimage site where non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly prohibited.
Pushkar (Rajasthan) - Famous for the Brahma Temple, where both meat and alcohol are banned.

Mount Abu (Rajasthan) - A religious and tourist destination where serving or selling non-veg food is not allowed.

With this latest decision, Ayodhya has become part of this list of holy cities upholding vegetarian-only traditions to preserve their sacred heritage and spiritual character.