The short answer
Palitana town and its vegetarian food: what visitors should know first
Treat it as a place to eat, rest and sleep before or after the hill. Expect vegetarian Gujarati and Jain food, modest hotels and early nights. Do not plan sightseeing here beyond the temples.
History and context
The story behind Palitana town and its vegetarian food
Palitana was a princely state, ruled by the Gohil dynasty, from the late medieval period until 1948, according to Wikipedia. After independence it became part of Gujarat.
The 2014 ban on meat, fish and egg sales followed a hunger strike by Jain monks and was announced by the state government on 14 August that year.
Useful facts
Palitana town and its vegetarian food facts at a glance
- Location
- Palitana, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat
- Experience type
- Small pilgrimage town
- Known for
- 2014 ban on meat, fish and egg sales
- Food
- Vegetarian Gujarati and Jain meals
- Time or schedule
- Quiet by evening; early starts for the hill
Why it matters
Why Palitana town and its vegetarian food is worth your time
In August 2014 the Gujarat government banned the sale of meat, fish and eggs and animal slaughter within Palitana, following a hunger strike by Jain monks. The move drew national attention and was contested by parts of the local population, with the matter going to the Gujarat High Court. Whatever one thinks of it, it shapes what you can eat and what the town feels like.
The ban is a visible expression of the religious logic of the place: non-violence, or ahimsa, is central to Jainism, and the town exists to serve a pilgrimage built on it. Understanding that helps explain the food, the rules on the hill and the way the town goes quiet in the evening.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Fixed-time dharamshala meals
Simple thalis served at set times to pilgrims and guests.
- 02
Jain food
Meals without onion, garlic or root vegetables.
- 03
Evening walk
A flat, quiet stroll between the bus stand and the hill road.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Palitana is a compact town best experienced at slow speed. Spend an evening walking from the bus stand towards the hill, stopping for tea at a roadside stall, and watching pilgrims return from the day. There is little formal sightseeing, and that is part of its character.
Eat where the pilgrims eat. Dharamshala kitchens and simple thali restaurants serve vegetarian Gujarati food and Jain meals without onion or garlic, usually at fixed times. Sweet and snack shops near the bus stand sell farsan, gathiya and other dry snacks that travel well.
If you stay overnight, expect early nights and early mornings; the town wakes in the dark. Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for Hastagiri or Bhavnagar the next day.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask your hotel which kitchen is open
- Carry small cash notes
- Eat before dawn if you are climbing
- Book a taxi the evening before for onward trips
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Palitana, Bhavnagar district, Gujarat
- Time needed
- A few hours, or an overnight stay
- Best time
- Evenings, November to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The town is flat and compact. Roads are busy with autos and pilgrims, and pavements are uneven, but nothing requires strenuous walking.
- Tickets and access
- No tickets. Food places are mostly informal; ask your hotel or dharamshala which kitchens are open and carry small cash notes.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Palitana town and its vegetarian food
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The town is flat and compact. Roads are busy with autos and pilgrims, and pavements are uneven, but nothing requires strenuous walking.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is non-vegetarian food available in Palitana?
No. The sale of meat, fish and eggs has been banned in the town since 2014.
What is Jain food?
Vegetarian food that leaves out onion, garlic and root vegetables, available at many dharamshalas.
Is there anything to see in the town itself?
Not much beyond the hill; it is mostly a place to eat and rest.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.