By News18,Sameeksha Sharma

Copyright news18

India is a land of vibrant diversity, reflected not only in its languages and customs but also in its cuisine. From rice in the South to wheat and roti in the North, food habits vary widely, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets shaping regional identities. Yet, one ingredient is nearly universal in Indian kitchens – the humble onion.
Found in dal, vegetables, chutneys, and salads, it is hard to imagine cooking without it. Surprisingly, there is one city in India where growing, selling, and even consuming onions is strictly prohibited.
Complete Ban On Onions In Katra
Katra, located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is the primary gateway to the famous Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. The city is considered highly sacred, and to maintain its religious sanctity, the use of onions and garlic is strictly prohibited. Hotels, restaurants, and roadside dhabas do not serve any dish containing onion or garlic. Onions are neither sold in vegetable markets nor available in grocery stores.
Religious Belief and Sattvic Food
In Hinduism, onions and garlic are classified as tamasic foods, believed to promote laziness, anger, and instability in the body and mind. Their consumption is forbidden during pujas, fasts, and pilgrimages. Consequently, the food served in Katra is entirely sattvic—pure and balanced—without compromising on taste or nutrition.
The local community plays a key role in upholding this tradition. Rules are strictly followed, and while visitors often request onions, they are instead offered sattvic alternatives. For the locals, this adherence is a matter of religious faith and discipline. The onion ban in Katra thus stands as a testament to the city’s cultural and religious heritage.
Impact on Cuisine
Many assume that cooking without onions is impossible. Katra challenges this notion. The sattvic dishes prepared here are not only flavourful but also beneficial for health. Pilgrims visiting the city are often surprised by the taste and quality of these traditional meals, demonstrating that cuisine can be both sacred and delicious.
Katra’s food culture illustrates how religious faith, cultural discipline, and culinary practice can coexist harmoniously. This unique onion ban highlights the diversity of Indian traditions and the ways in which beliefs shape everyday life across the country.