By Dikshika Joshi, Free kitchens set up by voluntary organizations to feed pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath Yatra will now prepare food as per a specific diet chart, suiting the climatic conditions at high altitudes. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the Amarnath pilgrimage will be issuing an advisory to this effect, according to a spokesman of the board. The Amarnath shrine is situated at a height of 3,888 metres above sea level in south Kashmir and involves trekking through narrow, slippery and steep mountainous paths. “Jammu and Kashmir governor N.N. Vohra, who is the chairman of SASB, has emphasized the need for preparing a standard diet chart for the ‘Langar’ (community kitchen) meal prepared by voluntary organisations, which takes into account the nutritional requirement of the pilgrims, particularly in view of the high altitude and difficult climatic conditions,” the spokesman said. The Governor also stressed the importance of maintaining hygienic conditions in and around all such kitchens during the entire pilgrimage period, which is usually of two months’ duration during the summer. Last year, more than 600,000 pilgrims visited the shrine. Vohra said the SASB would shortly bring out a comprehensive advisory (Do’s and Don’ts) and publicize it widely for the benefit of prospective pilgrims. Source: News Leaks, Image: flickr.com
