TTD plans to increase production of laddus

Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials are planning to increase supply of Srivari Prasadam laddus to devotees. Ultimate aim is to satisfy the devotees through laddu sales. Presently, the TTD is selling 4 laddus to Sarvadarsanam pilgrims, 5 to footpath devotees and only two laddus to other darshan devotees. The laddu is in great demand on special occasions like Brahmotsavams.

• The objective is to provide more laddus to pilgrims to ensure their satisfaction
• Currently, 2.8 lakh laddus per day are produced at Tirumala
• The officials have decided to increase the production to 5 lakh laddus per day
• The TTD called tenders to procure advance boondi making machines
• Already a few machines have arrived at Tirumala
• Following the feeback received from pilgrims through ‘Dial your EO’ and Srivari Sevaks, the TTD authorities decided to increase supply of laddus

If any pilgrim wants more laddus, he can secure those only through recommendation. Especially during peak rush days at Tirumala, the pilgrims find it difficult to get sufficient laddus. Due to non-availability, sometimes pilgrims return home with dissatisfaction.

Officials have received feedback from pilgrims on this issue through Dial Your EO programme and survey reports of Srivari Sevaks at Tirumala. On the feedback received from pilgrims on laddus availability, the TTD higher officials have taken a decision to make 5 lakh laddus per day in future. Currently, the TTD is making 2.8 lakh laddus every day as Srivari Prasadam at Tirumala temple.

EO Anil Kumar Singhal formed a sub-committee with officials to study the feasibility to make additional laddus at Tirumal potu (temple Kitchen) and also adopting latest technology in making of laddus.

Following the directions of the EO, Tirumala JEO K S Srinivasa Raju, temple Deputy EO, Potu Dy EO and other officials conducted a study of a few renowned sweet making factories in Chennai.

Finally, they decided to procure advanced boondi making machines for preparation of additional laddus at Tirumala potu. They called tenders to buy the boondi making machines.

A few machines were already received from suppliers. If all goes well, within 10 days, officials are going to ensure preparation of almost double the number of laddus.

The normal price of a 300-gram laddu is Rs 25. The TTD says that use of quality ingredients makes it costly and that it sells the laddu at a highly subsidised price.

As a privilege to Sarvadarshan pilgrims, two laddus are issued at a further subsidised price of Rs 10 each. The temple authorities issue laddu token to the pilgrims after collecting the money.

Nearly 620 people, including 270 cooks, work in the laddu and other Prasadam making units at Tirumala temple potu. In view of the work load in the coming days, officials have decided to appoint more number of kitchen workers from Brahmin community on outsourcing basis.

On the instructions of EO Singal, potu officials have started the recruitment process to increase the strength of the laddu making workers. Similarly there is conveyor belt systems have the capacity to transfer up to 800,000 laddus every day.

It may be noted that the office of the Registrar of Patents, Trademarks and Geographical Indications awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status to the Tirupati laddu in 2014.

One of the senior officials who is looking after the temple affairs, told The Hans India that at present there is a huge demand for Srivari laddu prasadam, but the TTD is facing difficulty in supplying laddus to the satisfaction of the pilgrims. He further said, “Our higher officials are taking measures to make laddus as per pilgrims demand.”

By K Nethaji