Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has doubled the prices of additional laddus that are provided based on recommendation letters, and quadrupled the prices of vadas. This does not affect pilgrims who come in the normal course. The Kalyanam laddu which was earlier sold for Rs 100 for those holding recommendation letters will now be sold at Rs 200, and Rs 25 laddu, Rs 50 vada for this category of pilgrims will cost Rs 100.
TTD sells the laddus at a loss, as each one costs Rs 35 but is sold at Rs 25. The impact increased after GST was implemented. To ease the burden, the administration has planned to hike the prices of prasadam sold to those with recommendation letters and those purchasing it for other devotional programmes.
Those holding Rs 300 and 500 darshan tickets will get two small laddus on their ticket and can buy two additional laddus on the same ticket for Rs 25 apiece. Sarva Darshan pilgrims will get two small laddus for Rs 10 and can buy two more additional for Rs 25 each. The TTD offers a free laddu for Divya Darshan tickets holders as they walk up to the Lord Venkateswara temple, while two laddus are sold for Rs 10 and other two at Rs 25.
Speaking to mediapersons, TTD JEO K.S. Srinivasa Raju said, “The prices are hiked only for those who buy additional laddus based on the recommendation letters. We are selling the laddus for same old prices when we issue them on darshan tickets.”
