- By Ridam Sharma
- Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Non-Vegetarian Food Is Banned: India's diversity of culture and religion has tremendously shaped its eating habits. With the rise of Western culture, people are becoming more aware of the diets they consume. Diets like vegan, protein-rich food are some of the most trending diets across the nation as citizens are becoming more diet-conscious. However, some nations have also imposed vegetarian-only regulations to sustain their religious heritage. These bans are commonly motivated by Jain religious values of ahimsa (non-violence) or Hindu ritual purity ethics. Let’s take a look at the list of top cities in India that have banned non-vegetarian food.
List Of Indian Cities Where Non-Vegetarian Food Is Banned
| City | State | Enforcement Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Palitana | Gujarat | Entire city |
| Ayodhya | Uttar Pradesh | City-wide |
| Rishikesh | Uttarakhand | City-wide |
| Haridwar | Uttarakhand | Strict during festivals |
| Mount Abu | Rajasthan | Near religious sites |
| Vrindavan | Uttar Pradesh | City-wide |
| Pushkar | Rajasthan | Entire town |
| Gandhinagar | Gujarat | Restricted zones near temples |
Palitana (Gujarat)
Palitan, situated in Gujarat, is the first completely vegetarian city in the world. The state banned meat, fish and eggs in 2014 due to the widespread protests by Jain monks against slaughterhouses. The city, which is a prominent pilgrimage centre for Jains, strictly follows the path of ahimsa (non-violence).
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh)
The hometown of Lord Rama prohibits meat consumption to follow Hindu spiritual beliefs. The prohibition on the city has put a firm stand on purity and religious harmony.
Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)
Rishikesh, also known as the Yoga Capital of India, prohibits the consumption of meat and alcohol to maintain its spiritual setting. The sattvic diet in the place known to bring clarity of mind and overall well-being.
Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
This holy city on the Ganges prohibits non-vegetarian meals, particularly during celebrations like Kumbh Mela. The prohibition is meant to preserve the sanctity of rituals and the holy river.
Mount Abu (Rajasthan)
Rajasthan's sole hill station prohibits meat and eggs around Jain temples like Dilwara. The prohibition has occurred due to the region's peaceful and meditative ambience.
Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)
Affiliated with Lord Krishna, Vrindavan upholds a vegetarian lifestyle. Temples and ashrams there follow a vegetarian diet as per Krishna's teachings.
Pushkar (Rajasthan)
Pushkar in Rajasthan is known for its Brahma Temple, which explains the prohibition on non-vegetarian food to maintain its spiritual relevance. The rule extends to the whole town, even during the annual camel fair.
Gandhinagar (Gujarat)
Gujarat's capital, Gandhinagar, forbids the selling of meat in areas around temples and government gatherings because of the existence of huge Jain and Hindu populations. Not entirely prohibited, however, the availability of non-veg in some public places is low.