(Sandhya Jha, Intern Journalist): Tirupati. Due to the lockdown, the movement in the closed temples is now intensifying. In states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, there is also a demand for the opening of temples from 1 June. At the same time, in the Tirupati Bala Ji temple of Andhra Pradesh, a new initiative has been taken for the devotees. Now the famous Laddu Prasadam of the temple will be delivered home to the devotees at half the cost. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Trust is launching it soon. Laddus, available for 50 rupees, will now be available at Rs 25. The temple will also take bulk orders for this.

Tirupati Balaji / Temple
Tirupati Balaji / Temple

Trust Chairman Y.S. the devotees have not been able to see Lord Balaji for almost 60 days. There is still uncertainty about the temple opening. Therefore, it has been decided by the trust that at present, devotees who are unable to come to the temple can get the holy laddu of Lord Prasadam sitting at home. For this, Laddu Prasad is being sent to 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh, as well as Hyderabad in Telangana, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, and Bengaluru in Karnataka. The trust has also reduced the prices of laddus by 50 percent. A laddu containing 175 grams will now cost Rs 25 instead of 50.

Capacity to make three lakh laddus in a day in the temple

A day before the lockdown, three lakh laddus were made in the temple. Its entire method is different and they are made with complete purity. It takes three thousand kilograms of cashew nuts to manufacture Laddus Prasadam daily. This is the only temple in the country, where Laddoo Prasadam conducts daily lab tests. Prasad is offered to devotees only after the test.

The temple will open after instructions from the central government

At present, the temple will remain closed till 31 May. The Trust is preparing for this. However, the final decision to open the temple will be taken only after getting the guidelines of the Central Government. Many changes can be seen in the temple’s darshan system. Before the lockdown, the temple used to have 80 to one lakh devotees daily. However, this number will be kept to a maximum of 25 thousand once the lockdown opens. Darshan will be allowed in different time slots. The temple will be sanitized after every slot.