17.9.09

Tirupati laddus get global patent

The famed Tirupati laddu—the most sought-after prasadam for lakhs of pilgrims who throng Tirumala from various parts of the country—has joined the ranks of Darjeeling tea, Madhubani paintings and Goa feni after it was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) patent rights. This bars others from naming or marketing the sweetmeat preparation under the same name. Temple sources said the Tirupati laddu got the patent rights under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act on Tuesday. The Tirupati laddu is the popular name for Srivari laddu, which is offered as prasadam to the devotees after they worship the Lord. “The laddus are not produced anywhere in the world and are very unique in terms of quality, reputation and other characteristics which go into its making,’’ a TTD official said. “The laddu came into being in the early 1920s, though some temple priests claim that it existed even before the 17th century,’’ a former official said. One laddu costs Rs 25 now. Around 1.5 lakh laddus are made everyday.

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