Top Satvik Food Options You Can Order on Trains This Shravan

The month of Shravan is significant for the Indian subcontinent, as it marks the arrival of the southwest monsoon. For many Hindus, the month of Shravan is the month of fasting. Many Hindus will fast every Monday for Shiva or every Tuesday for Parvati.

As people travel during this spiritual time for pilgrimages, family visits, or spiritual retreats, the demand for satvik food, which is light, vegetarian, and prepared with purity and devotion, grows significantly. For train travelers, observing Shravan and accessing such food options can be challenging.

However, with the option of ordering food online on trains and increased awareness of dietary preferences, many Satvik food choices are available on trains.

This essay explores the concept of Satvik food, why it is important during the month of Shravan, and how travelers can conveniently order it on trains.

Understanding Satvik food

A sattvic diet includes food that is light and healthy. In Ayurvedic practices, Satvik diets are thought to increase energy, happiness, calmness, and mental clarity. In practice, this means eating things that are fresh, nutritious, healthy, and vegetarian.

In traditional yogic teachings, there are three types of food. Sattva, rajas, and tamas.

These three categories of food are called gunas and represent the three qualities that are present in everything, including food.

• SattvaThis is the highest guna, representing balance and harmony. This is the highest state

• RajasThis guna represents activity and movement. Too much of this guna leads to stress, overstimulation, and overexcitement.

• TamasThis is the base guna. It is associated with pessimism, laziness, and weakness.

When following a yogic diet, you will need to adhere to all these gunas and follow a satvik diet, which is fresh, light, tasty, and nutritious.

What are sattvic foods?

In general satvik foods are ripe, raw, freshly prepared. Foods that are old and not prepared well are not satvik. Satvik food is rich in nutrients, plant-based, and low in processed and fried food. Satvik food includes

• Sprouted whole grains

• Whole grains

• Fresh fruits

• Land and sea vegetables

• Nut and seed milk

• Cheese

• Legumes

• Nuts

• Seed

• Sprouted seeds

• Honey

• Herbal teas

• ghee

Why satvik foods during Shravan?

Shravan is the month of fasting where people prefer satvik food and avoid tamasic food (like meat, alcohol, onion, and garlic) and rajasic food (like overly spicy and oily foods) to maintain spiritual discipline.

Eating Satvik foods during Shravan helps in

• Maintaining mental focus during prayers and meditation

• Detoxifying the body and boosting immunity

• Observing traditional rituals and vows with discipline

• Connecting deeply with spiritual energies associated with lord shiva

Challenges of finding satvik food while travelling on train

Train journeys, especially long ones in India, pose a challenge for those people that are spiritual and devotional. Local vendors at railway stations offer healthy diets but might include foods that are too oily or spicy or might include garlic or onion.

Some common concerns are:

• Lack of hygiene

• Non-satvik preparation

• Unavailability of fasting specific foods

• Limited choices for those observing vrats

Top Satvik options available on train this Shravan

1. Sabudana Khichidi -

A favorite during devotional fasting, Sabudana Khichidi is made with soaked tapioca pearls, peanuts, cumin and mild spices. It is light yet energy rich, ideal for long journeys and fasting days. Most platform offers this ideal product, served hot and fresh at your seat.

2. Kuttu ke pakode/poori

Made from buckwheat flour, Kuttu ke pakode or poori are staple fasting food. They are paired with curd or potato curry without onions or garlic. They can be pre-ordered via e-catering apps that cater to satvik diets.

3. Samak rice (vrat-ke-chawal) with aloo-sabzi

Samak rice is a popular grain alternative for fasting days and is easy to digest. Paired with a no-onion, no-garlic potato curry, it makes a wholesome satvik meal suitable for lunch or dinner

4. Fruit platters

Fruit platters are perhaps the most ideal food for fasting days. Most platforms now offer already cut fruits like papayas, bananas, mangoes, apples, and watermelons in sealed packs.

5. Veg upma/idli

Mildly spiced upma and soft idlis make a great satvik breakfast or snack. These South Indian dishes are steamed and light, making them ideal for an early travel meal.

6. Aloo tamatar ki sabzi with singhara atta poori

This meal is a Shravan favorite, especially during fasts. Singhara (water chestnut flour) pooris along with tomato-potato curry offer taste and tradition in one.

7. Curd rice

When prepared without onion, garlic, or mustard, it qualifies as satvik. It helps keep the body cool during summer train travel and is light on digestion.

8. Sweet offering: lassi, kheer, and dry fruits

For dessert or light snacking, chilled lassi, milk-based kheer (which doesnt have any condensed milk), and assorted dried fruits are widely available. They boost energy and complement a satvik diet completely.

9. Thepla (Jain/Satvik style)

These are mildly spiced flatbreads made from whole wheat or millet flour. When cooked without onion, garlic, and chilies, theplas become a satvik-friendly meal option that stays fresh longer.

10. Jain thali/satvik thali

Some catering partners offer Jain or Satvik thalis. These typically include roti (made from fasting flour), seasonally cut vegetable dishes (without onion/garlic), curd, fruit, and a sweet.

How to order satvik meals on train while travelling

With indian railways e-catering service, you can now pre-order satvik food easily

• IRCTC e-catering

Allows you to enter your PNR and choose from your satvik options at upcoming stations.

• Third-party partners like railrestro, Zoop, and railyatri

These apps have specific filters like Jain/satvik/vrat special meals

• Special notes during booking

Always mention satvik or vrat foods to avoid onion, garlic, and tamasic ingredients.

Conclusion

Sharavan is a deeply spiritual time for Indian people, and the food consumed during this month holds both religious and health significance. While traveling by train during Sharavan, access to Satvik food is now more feasible than ever. Thanks to digital platforms and railway food delivery partners, you can now enjoy clean, sacred, and healthy food on the go without compromising on your spiritual vows or dietary discipline.

From sabudana khichidi to vrat ke chawal to satvik thalis to diced and cut fresh fruit, there is a range of options available for the Indian devotee who is travelling on wheels. This Shravan, travel with peace, devotion, and purityone satvik meal at a time.