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The Tirupati laddoos are not just one of the most sought-after prasads in the country, but have often made headlines, be it over new ingredients or changes in quality. However, this time the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has good news for devotees. On Thursday, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) announced that the temple is introducing a new system of registering visitors’ Aadhaar cards, through which they can get two laddoo prasadams, regardless of whether they have tokens.
As per temple policies, the Slotted Seva Darshan, which allows pilgrims to see Sri Venkateshwara Swamy without waiting in line, is a free darshan for which devotees need tokens. The tokens for this darshan must be taken in advance from one of the 109 SSD ticket counters in Tirupati. The counters open at 5:00 AM and issue tokens for the same day. An Aadhaar card is mandatory for getting the darshan token; however, with the new system, not all devotees need a token to get the laddoo prasad, they can simply register their Aadhar card.
As Tirumala Tirupathi Updates shared on X, tokenless devotees can simply register their Aadhaar cards at specified laddoo counters. Following this step, they can obtain two laddus. Specially designated counters are starting from counter 48 to counter 62. A few days ago the temple authorities shared an update on the same page about how the Tirumala laddoos are being sold in the black market. Chances are this system has been put in place to maintain clarity in the process.
The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (an incarnation of Vishnu), situated on the Tirumala hills, is considered to be one of the most sacred shrines in the country. The Tirupati ‘prasad’ is a sweet and aromatic dry laddoo, whose recipe has gone through quite a few re-iterations, although its history dates back thousands of years ago. This laddoo is not only a prasadam but also a part of the heritage of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage centres in the world.
The Tirupati Laddoo has a GI tag and is renowned for its distinctive taste, quality, and size. It is made from a mixture of besan, sugar, ghee, cashew nuts, raisins, cardamom, and several other ingredients. The process of making these laddoos is meticulous, ensuring that each piece maintains a consistent taste and texture. The laddoos are prepared in the temple kitchen, known as the ‘Potu’, which is equipped to handle large-scale production.
While there isn't precise documentation on when exactly the laddoo became a standard offering, historical records suggest that the tradition could have been institutionalized during the Vijayanagara period, reflecting the era's focus on elaborate temple rituals and offerings.
