Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) has announced that its upcoming luxury property, Taj Palitana, will serve exclusively vegetarian Jain cuisine and non-alcoholic beverages in response to concerns raised by the Jain community. This move makes Taj Palitana the first vegetarian and alcohol-free property under the Taj brand.
Located in Bhavnagar district, Palitana is a sacred site for Jains, home to over 850 temples and the revered Shatrunjaya Mountain. The announcement follows objections from the community, who feared that serving non-vegetarian food and alcohol at the property would compromise the sanctity of the pilgrimage site.
IHCL clarified its position through an official spokesperson, stating: “The proposed hotel in Palitana will offer only vegetarian Jain cuisine and non-alcoholic beverages.”
Mandhatsinh Jadeja, from the royal family of Rajkot and owner of the Palitana Palace, which IHCL plans to convert into a five-star hotel, affirmed the commitment to preserving community sentiments. He stated: “We will serve only vegetarian Jain food and non-alcoholic beverages at the hotel, irrespective of the operating brand.”
Sandeep Bhandari, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jain Cell, welcomed IHCL’s decision, expressing gratitude on behalf of the community. “This will be the first time that a Taj property will be vegetarian and alcohol-free. It’s a respectful move that aligns with our values,” he said.
Despite IHCL’s reassurances, the Shree Mumbai Jain Sangh Sangathan, a coalition of Jain sub-communities, remains cautious. Kamlesh Shah, an executive committee member, voiced concerns about the potential impact of other hospitality brands entering the area. “The Taj group’s ethics are not in question, but their presence could set a precedent for others who may not uphold the sanctity of the site,” he noted.
The organisation has requested a meeting with IHCL’s Managing Director and CEO, Puneet Chhatwal, to discuss their concerns but has yet to receive a response. Additionally, they have appealed to the Gujarat government to declare all pilgrim cities, including Palitana, vegetarian and alcohol-free zones, similar to Ayodhya and Vaishno Devi.
Source: FPJ
