Palitana is a small, picturesque town located 51 km southwest in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India. It is renowned for its unique cultural and religious significance. But what makes this city stand out from the rest of the world is its unique reference as the City of Vegetarians. Yes, you read it right. Palitana is the first city in the world where no non-vegetarian food is consumed or sold. This place embraces vegetarianism as a way of life. From street vendors to fine dining establishments, this city’s cuisine offers a varied range of vegetarian delights that satisfy every appetite. Let’s dive deeper into this article to learn more about the fascinating history, culture and traditions of Palitana.
The origin of vegetarianism in Palitana:
The roots of vegetarianism in Palitana are deeply intertwined with religion. This place is known for its adherence to Jainism, an ancient religion that practices non-violence and compassion towards all living beings. This also applies to one’s food choices, Jain adherents strictly follow a vegetarian diet. Over time the city’s cuisine adopted the traditional food culture that includes dal, rice, vegetables and Gujarati food like dhokla, fafda and more.
In 2014, over two hundred monks went on a hunger strike to prove to the government that they would rather die than slaughter animals and allow meat consumption in the area. Following this strike, the same year the government banned animal slaughter in this region and since then not a single animal has been killed here.
The government was forced to shut down all 250 butcher shops in the region. Since then, Palitana has become a meat-free city but dairy products like milk, ghee, etc can be consumed here.
Impacts on Palitana:
Since Palitana became a vegetarian city, the Jains residing in the city have renewed their commitment to non-violence (ahimsa), which is core to their religious principles.
Non-Jain residents have to adjust to the new transition of the city with the ban on meat and eggs but as time passed by these residents have adjusted to this change.
This unique status of Palitana attracts lots of vegan and vegetarian tourists along with an ideal pilgrimage site and tourist destination. It’s a must-visit place but remember no meat is allowed here.
Tourism and economy in Palitana:
Palitana is a popular tourist place in Gujarat, attracting lots of people from around the world. It is a Jain pilgrimage site. People come here to explore the Jain temples and culture as well as its unique vegetarian diet across the city. This city has a rich history, architecture and amazing cuisine that pulls people towards this place.
The city authorities have been making efforts to promote tourism and cultural exchange programs, to give opportunities to the locals to share their culture and traditions with visitors around the world. The months of January-February are considered to be the best period to visit this city.
Economically, the transition of the city to vegetarianism has greatly influenced the production of fruits, vegetables and pulses. This has helped in the growth of local agriculture and in avoiding the environmental concerns with meat production. Palitana being a pilgrimage site and also a tourist destination contributes to the economy of the country.
Some interesting facts about Palitana:
1) Palitana has more than 800 Jain temples and more than 2500 statues of Jain gods and goddesses, constructed for 900 years, contributing to one of the largest collections of Jain temples in the world. Adishwar is one of the temples that have been considered to be a prominent temple and is known for its architecture.
2) Along with being a sacred place for humans, Palitana also offers a home to many bird species which adds more glory to its natural beauty.
3) Palitana Temples are located on Mount Shatrunjaya and have also made their place in the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites in 2019.
4) Palitana is rich in history and dates back thousands of years, with its earliest temple considered to be built in the 11th century.
5) The ancient collection of idols and artifacts helps in understanding the principles of Jainism.
6) Shoes and leather items like belts are not allowed in the temple premises.
7) There are about 3500 steps to reach the top of the mountain and the majority of Jain adherents climb up to the top at least once a year.
8) The Nine Enclosures also known as Nav Tunk is another important part of tourism that makes it to the list of places to visit in this city.
In conclusion, Palitana is a fascinating holy city for Jains that have chosen vegetarianism which is deeply rooted in its history and traditions. Its commitment to non-violence and a vibrant and peaceful environment welcomes visitors from all corners of the world. Palitana is a place for a more environmentally conscious way of living.
