Tirumala Sets New Records as Srivari Laddu Sales Cross 1.21 Crore in May
Tirumala, June 3 (TNT): Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) registered a series of historic milestones in May 2026, with the sacred Srivari Laddu recording all-time high sales of over 1.21 crore, while the temple also witnessed its highest-ever monthly pilgrim footfall and hundi collections.
The revered Srivari Laddu, considered an integral part of the Tirumala pilgrimage, recorded sales of 1,21,35,528 laddus during May, surpassing 1.01 crore laddus sold in May 2024 and 1.10 crore in May 2025, reflecting a significant year-on-year increase, according to TTD.
Driven by the peak summer vacation rush, Tirumala also recorded its highest-ever monthly footfall, with 25,46,160 devotees visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara during the month.
The temple’s hundi collections touched a record Rs 120.28 crore, while more than 12.43 lakh devotees offered their hair at the Kalyanakatta as part of the traditional tonsure ritual.
According to TTD, the highest single-day turnout was recorded on May 24, when 98,058 devotees had darshan of the presiding deity. The shrine also witnessed its highest-ever Friday footfall on May 22, with 87,689 devotees visiting the temple.
To manage the unprecedented rush, TTD restricted VIP break darshans and deployed Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven systems for real-time crowd monitoring and management, ensuring smooth pilgrim movement and efficient darshan arrangements.
TTD Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Dr T. Ravi said the temple administration had significantly enhanced laddu production capacity and adopted state-of-the-art technology to ensure uninterrupted supply while maintaining the highest standards of quality and transparency.
More than four lakh laddus are prepared daily at the sacred Srivari Potu, the temple’s main kitchen, where nearly 700 Sri Vaishnava Brahmins work in two shifts.
Around 68 tonnes of raw materials are consumed every day in laddu preparation, including 32 tonnes of sugar, 16 tonnes each of gram flour and ghee, 3.5 tonnes of cashew nuts, two tonnes of raisins, 400 kilograms of cardamom and 800 kilograms of sugar candy.
TTD officials said the world-famous Tirupati Laddu continues to be prepared strictly according to the traditional “Dittam” standards approved by the temple administration during 1950-51. The Tirupati Laddu also enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) status and is prepared under a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence.
To strengthen quality control, TTD has installed two AI-based colour-sorting machines at the Potu to detect and remove impurities from raw materials, while all ingredients undergo laboratory testing before use.
The temple administration currently operates 56 laddu counters round the clock in three shifts and has introduced digital payment-enabled kiosks to facilitate quicker and more transparent purchases of additional laddus.
Every devotee receives one free laddu after darshan, while TTD maintains a buffer stock of eight to 10 lakh laddus during peak occasions such as Brahmotsavams, Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam, Ratha Saptami and summer holidays.
TTD officials said the record pilgrim turnout, hundi collections and laddu sales reflect the enduring faith of devotees in Lord Venkateswara and reaffirm Tirumala’s status as one of the world’s most visited and revered pilgrimage destinations.
Symbolising the perfect blend of devotion, tradition and quality, the sacred Srivari Laddu continues to remain the most cherished spiritual offering of Tirumala.
TNT TS
