The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has denied claims that the catering establishment will serve only vegetarian food items in Bihar during the month of ‘Saawan’. Earlier, various media reports suggested that IRCTC in Bihar’s Bhagalpur has announced that it will serve only vegetarian food items during the month of ‘Saawan’. A report in ANI states that the Indian Railways will stop providing non-vegetarian food from July 4. In the Hindu calendar, ‘Saawan’, also known as ‘Shravan’, is the fifth month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar and one of the holiest months of the year.
Every Monday during this period is considered a highly auspicious time to observe a fast and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. However, IRCTC in a Twitter post refuted such claims and said that no such instructions have been given. IRCTC wrote in a Twitter post, “No such instruction has been issued by IRCTC. All approved items are available for sale to passengers from the food unit.”
No such instruction has been issued by IRCTC. All approved items are available for sale to passengers from the food unit. – IRCTC (@irctcofficial) 2 July 2023
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An ANI report quoted Pankaj Kumar, manager of a food service stall, as saying, “Food will be served without onions and garlic during the month of Sawan. Fruits will also be given. This arrangement will be applicable throughout the month of Sawan. Will get non-vegetarian food” will be closed from 4th July. Cleanliness will be taken care of.
This year, the Shravan period extends to two months instead of the usual one month duration. Earlier, the almost two-month long Shravan period was celebrated around 19 years ago. July 10 is the first Monday fast of this year, while August 28 is the last Monday fast of this period.
Such cases have also come to the fore when the sale of non-veg in trains was stopped due to the festival.