India is known for its rich culture and food diversity. But one small city in Gujarat has made a bold move that stuns everyone. Palitana, located in Gujarat, where the local government has ordered a total ban on meat, eggs, and animal slaughter, making it the world’s first 100% vegetarian city.
Palitana Becomes the World’s First 100% Vegetarian City
Palitana is located at the base of Shatrunjaya Hill, one of the holiest places for Jains, a religious group that follows the principle of ahimsa (non-violence). For Jains, causing harm to animals is against their beliefs. The presence of butcher shops near this sacred site was seen as disrespectful to their religion. This led to the decision to ban non-vegetarian food and animal slaughter.
In 2014, nearly 200 Jain monks went on a hunger strike, demanding that the butcher shops in Palitana be closed. As the pressure built, the Gujarat government officially banned the sale of meat and eggs in the city.
Palitana’s ban has made it the first city in the world to be completely vegetarian. While many in the Jain community saw this as a historic win, some critics questioned whether such a move limits personal freedom. They worried it would hurt local businesses that depended on meat sales. But for the Jains, it was a step toward aligning state policies with their spiritual values.
After the ban, Palitana shifted to a vegetarian-only food scene. New vegetarian restaurants have opened, serving Jain thalis and plant-based dishes. The city is also known for “satvik” cooking, which follows strict Jain dietary rules, no onions, garlic, or root vegetables.
One of the biggest fears was that the ban would hurt tourism, especially non-Jain visitors. While the city might no longer appeal to tourists looking for variety in food, it has focused on spiritual tourism. Palitana markets itself as a place of peace, devotion, and sanctity.
