Following the discovery of adulteration in the ghee used for Tirupati Balaji's prasadam, the laddus have become a topic of widespread discussion. The laddus offered at Tirupati Balaji are held in great reverence, and millions are made every day. However, after reports confirmed the presence of fish oil and animal fat in the ingredients, people are curious to know the origins and the making process of these laddus. Here is everything you need to know about the prasadam from Tirupati...
Where Are These Laddus Made?
The famous Tirupati Balaji laddus are made with the highest standards of purity. The ingredients used in these laddus are referred to as 'Dittam.' The kitchen where these laddus are made is known as the 'Laddu Potu.' Initially, wood was used to prepare prasadam, but since 1984, LPG gas has been used for the same. Every day, millions of laddus are prepared here, with various reports suggesting figures between 3.5 lakh and over 5 lakh laddus made daily.
Previously, laddus were made using different moving belts in the kitchen. According to a report from the Times of India last year, new machines worth Rs. 50 crore are being imported from Germany, Australia, and Switzerland to fully automate the laddu-making process, eliminating any manual labor. Initially, more than 600 cooks were involved in making these laddus, comprising both contract and permanent workers.
How Are These Laddus Made?
One unique feature of these laddus is their oval shape, unlike the typical round laddus. It is reported that these laddus have been made since 1715. The preparation process has been altered six times so far. Currently, the laddus are made from gram flour, sugar, cashews, cardamom, ghee, rock sugar, and raisins. Every day, 10 tons of gram flour, 10 tons of sugar, 700 kilos of cashews, 150 kilos of cardamom, 300 to 400 liters of ghee, 500 kilos of rock sugar, and 540 kilos of raisins are used. Separate tenders are given for these raw materials.
Three Types of Laddus?
There are three types of laddus offered as prasadam: Proktham, Asthanam, and Kalyanotsavam. Proktham laddus are small, weighing between 60-75 grams each, and are distributed among a large number of devotees. Asthanam laddus are prepared for festive seasons and weigh 750 grams each. Kalyanotsavam laddus are specifically made for participants of the Kalyanotsavam ritual.
How Much Revenue Do They Generate?
According to the Times of India report, prasadam, including laddus, is considered the third-largest source of income for the Tirupati temple, generating approximately Rs. 500-600 crore. The temple trust also prepares other prasadam items like vada, dosa, pongal, and pulihora. These items are sold both online and at the temple. One laddu is priced at Rs. 50.
