500-metre area around Gujarat’s Somnath, Ambaji temples declared vegetarian zones

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday declared as “vegetarian zones” a 500-metre area surrounding the famous pilgrimage sites of Somnath temple in Saurashtra and Ambaji temples in north Gujarat.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday declared as “vegetarian zones” a 500-metre area surrounding the famous pilgrimage sites of Somnath temple in Saurashtra and Ambaji temples in north Gujarat.

People gather on main square of Somnath in front of Shiva's Temple at sunset. (Getty file photo)

The announcement was made by Rupani at a gathering in Palanpur in Banaskantha district, around 145 km from here.

The move means that non-vegetarian food, such as meat and chicken, cannot be sold near the premises of these two temples.

While the Somnath temple is in Gir-Somnath district, the Ambaji temple is in Banaskantha district.

“I hereby declare a 500-metre area surrounding the pilgrimage places -- Somnath and Ambaji -- as vegetarian zones. From now on, there will be a total ban on selling non-vegetarian food in these areas,” Rupani told the gathering.

Several religious outfits and the residents of these pilgrimage centres had been demanding such a measure since long.

Both the temples are top religious sites for Hindus, attracting pilgrims from all over the country as well as abroad.