Kanwar yatra kitchen: Pure veg meals that fuel pilgrims safely

Time of India

2 days ago

Every year during the month of Sawan, roads across North India fill with saffron-clad
Kanwariyas
walking long distances barefoot, carrying sacred Ganga jal for Lord Shiva. The journey is hard—marked by deep faith, strict routine, and a lot of physical effort.
And what keeps them going besides faith is food.
But not just any food—simple, sattvik, and comforting meals made with care at roadside kitchens known as bhandaras.
These simple kitchens appear along highways, under flyovers, or next to fields, serving hot, filling vegetarian meals for free. The aim isn't fancy food, it's nourishment. The meals are made to give strength while staying light and easy to digest, which matters even more during the monsoon.
Here's how this simple food keeps Kanwariyas going without making them feel too full or tired.
Why purity matters here
During the Kanwar Yatra, purity isn't just spiritual—it shows up on the plate too. Meals are strictly vegetarian, usually made without onion and garlic, and cooked in desi ghee or oil with devotion and care. Many pilgrims follow a brahmacharya lifestyle or eat a sattvik diet during this time, so the food matches that simplicity.
You'll often find comforting dishes like aloo-tamatar sabzi, plain dal, jeera rice, rotis made over a woodfire, and sometimes kheer or halwa when there's a sweet touch.
These aren't just comforting dishes—they're practical too. Light on spices and oil, yet filling enough to sustain hours of walking. Plus, no heavy cream or fried snacks means digestion stays smooth even in the monsoon humidity.
Easy to cook, easy to serve
Another reason this food works so well is because it's quick and easy to make in large quantities.
One big pot of dal, a hot tawa full of rotis, and large buckets of sabzi can feed hundreds of pilgrims. It's the kind of food that brings people together—cooked by volunteers, served with folded hands, and eaten while sitting under a tent or tree. There's something deeply comforting about that simplicity.
Here are three simple, sattvik-style dishes you can easily prepare at home:
Aloo-tamatar ki sabzi
This simple potato-tomato curry is commonly made during the Kanwar Yatra.
Boiled potatoes are softly mashed and simmered in a tomato gravy flavoured with cumin, ginger, and gentle spices like turmeric and coriander powder. It's made without onion or garlic to keep it sattvik. The sabzi is light, slightly tangy, and pairs well with rotis or plain rice. Add some sendha namak (rock salt) if you're following vrat rules.
Plain moong dal
Split yellow moong dal is rinsed and pressure-cooked with water until it's soft.
In a separate tadka, ghee is heated with cumin seeds, grated ginger, and a bit of hing (asafoetida), then poured over the dal. This gives the dish warmth and gentle flavour without overwhelming the stomach. It's comforting, easy to digest, and nourishing—perfect for monsoon days or when your digestion needs a break.
Suji ka halwa
Made with semolina, this is a quick sweet dish often served in bhandaras. Ghee is warmed in a pan and suji is slowly roasted until it turns golden and smells nutty.
Water and jaggery or sugar are then added, and the mixture is stirred well until it becomes thick and shiny. A few cardamom pods add aroma, and some chopped nuts make it extra special. It's satisfying, wholesome, and gives an instant energy boost after a long walk or fast.
Energy, hydration, and comfort in one plate
कल से 23 जुलाई तक प्राइवेट और सरकारी स्कूल रहेंगे बंद
These meals aren't just tasty—they're well planned. These meals aren't just about taste—they're made with intention.
The mix of rice and dal offers good protein, sabzi brings in fibre, and a little sweet dish adds an instant lift. Even the lemon pickle served on the side has its place—it supports digestion and brings a gentle burst of freshness. With nearby stalls serving glucose water or nimbu-paani, the body stays cool and gets the hydration it needs during the journey.
Faith meets food on the roadside
The Kanwar Yatra isn't a time for luxury. It's about movement, devotion, and collective spirit. It shows how simple, home-style meals which is cooked with care and shared in community, can carry people through the toughest journeys. It's also a reminder for all of us to eat clean, sattvik food once in a while, to give our bodies the same kind of gentle strength and balance.