Vemulawada laddu prasadam price likely to go up

The Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada is considering an increase in laddu prasadam prices due to rising raw material and operational costs. Temple authorities are preparing proposals and discussing the matter with priests before taking a final decision.

Rajanna-Sircilla: Authorities of the Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada are planning to hike the price of laddu prasadam in view of the increase in input costs. In this regard, temple authorities are reportedly preparing proposals and discussing the matter with priests.

As it is one of the prominent temples in the State, thousands of devotees visit the shrine every day. Despite the rise in the cost of raw materials, there has been no increase in the prices of prasadams over the last 10 years. While authorities spent Rs 12 crore on the preparation of prasadams in 2018-19, the expenditure rose to Rs 21.40 crore in 2023-24. However, the prices have remained unchanged. As a result, the cost of preparing a laddu is now higher than its sale price.

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A 100-gram laddu is currently being sold at Rs 20, against a production cost of Rs 23. About Rs 966 is spent on preparing 42 laddus. On average, the cost of producing each 100-gram laddu is Rs 23. While similar laddus are sold for Rs 25 at Kondagattu, Bhadrachalam, Basara and Dharmapuri temples, they are priced at Rs 30 at the Yadagirigutta temple. However, the same quantity of laddu continues to be sold at Rs 20 in Vemulawada.

The prices of gram flour, ghee, sugar, kaju, kismis and elaichi used in the preparation of laddus have increased. Recently, LPG prices have also risen. As a result, the temple authorities have decided to consider a revision in the prices. Besides laddus, the price of pulihora is also likely to be increased. Temple Executive Officer Rama Devi discussed the matter with priests.