During the Sawan Kanwar Yatra, tourists from Australia and Colombia visiting the Neelkanth pedestrian route in Dehradun praised Indian vegetarian cuisine and locally prepared dishes made with traditional spices, describing them as a distinctive culinary and cultural experience.
Large numbers of pilgrims from India and abroad are visiting the Neelkanth pedestrian route in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, during the Sawan Kanwar Yatra. Foreign tourists taking part in the journey have also shown appreciation for Indian culture and local cuisine. Along the route passing through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, several international visitors sampled Indian vegetarian dishes and praised their flavour.
Tourists from Australia and Colombia said they experienced a unique and memorable taste of Indian food during the Neelkanth pilgrimage. After stopping at local eateries along the route, they appreciated the distinctive flavours created by Indian spices.
Aaron, a tourist from Australia, said he had already been fond of Indian spices. He noted that Indian restaurants are popular in Australia and that he frequently enjoys Indian food there. However, he said vegetarian dishes prepared locally in India offered a more distinctive culinary experience.
Jasmine, a tourist from Colombia, said the balanced use of turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala and green chillies makes Indian cuisine different from other cuisines around the world. According to her, the food is not only flavourful but also provides a sense of freshness and satisfaction.
At eateries along the Neelkanth route, foreign tourists have been enjoying traditional vegetarian dishes including kadhi, potato and green pea curry, okra, roti and other local preparations. Local vendors said that millions of pilgrims visit the route every year during Sawan, and hearing appreciation for Indian food from foreign tourists is a matter of pride for them.
Tourism experts said that alongside Uttarakhand's religious pilgrimage, local cuisine is also attracting foreign visitors. They said this is supporting local businesses while strengthening the global recognition of Indian culture and traditional vegetarian cuisine. They added that the growing popularity of Indian spices and vegetarian food reflects their appeal among people from around the world.
