In preparation for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has announced a ban on more than 40 food items and advised pilgrims to prioritize their physical fitness. The health advisory, released on Thursday, encourages devotees to engage in daily walks of at least 5 kilometers and avoid consuming prohibited food items, including drinks, fried foods, and fast food items.
The pilgrimage to the holy cave situated at an altitude of 3,880 meters in the south Kashmir Himalayas is scheduled to begin on July 1 via the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-kilometer Baltal route in Ganderbal district, known for its steep terrain.
To ensure a safe and healthy journey, officials are urging pilgrims to familiarize themselves with the list of banned food items before embarking on the 14-kilometer trek. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has prohibited heavy dishes like Pullav and fried rice, as well as items such as puri, bathura, pizza, burger, stuffed parantha, dosa, fried roti, bread with butter, cream-based foods, pickles, chutney, fried papad, chowmein, and various other fried and fast food items. However, devotees are allowed to carry other food items apart from the banned ones.
In terms of dietary recommendations, the board suggests pilgrims opt for healthier alternatives such as cereals, pulses, green vegetables, salads, and a few rice dishes. The district magistrates of Ganderbal and Anantnag have been authorized to issue orders specifying penalties for violating the prescribed food menu under the Ranbir Penal Code.
In addition to the dietary guidelines, the board has also provided advice to prevent high altitude sickness and hypothermia. It emphasizes the importance of physical fitness, advising devotees to engage in morning and evening walks of 4 to 5 kilometers per day, as well as deep breathing exercises, yoga, and pranayama to improve oxygen efficiency. Prior consultation with a physician is recommended for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
To prevent hypothermia, the board suggests consuming a healthy diet with plenty of fluids, including warm drinks, and maintaining regular meals for energy and heat generation. It also advises against alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, as they accelerate heat loss. The advisory particularly highlights the risk of hypothermia for elderly pilgrims due to the cold weather conditions in high altitude areas, where temperatures can drop by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius.
With a focus on physical fitness and adherence to the prescribed guidelines, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board aims to ensure the well-being of all pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra.
