Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Inaugurates Modern Kitchen to Serve Devotees in Tirumala

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Vakula Matha Vantasala, a newly constructed kitchen in Tirumala, on Saturday. Built at a cost of Rs 13.4 crore, the kitchen is designed to serve Anna Prasadam to 1.25 lakh devotees daily, with the capacity to prepare meals for 18,000 people in just 30 minutes.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration, Naidu affirmed the commitment of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the state government to preserving the sanctity and purity of Lord Balaji. He assured that all efforts would be made to maintain the highest quality standards for the Prasadam offered to devotees, emphasizing strict oversight from raw material procurement to the final preparation.

Naidu acknowledged past concerns about the quality of Anna Prasadam and Laddu, assuring pilgrims that recent improvements have addressed these issues. He added that under the current administration, there would be no tolerance for any lapses in purity.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the three modern kitchens at Tirumala — Vengamamba, Akshaya, and Vakula Matha — now have the capacity to serve up to three lakh devotees. In response to allegations about the use of adulterated ghee in the famous Tirumala Laddu, Naidu mentioned the ongoing Supreme Court investigation led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

To further ensure quality, Naidu revealed plans for setting up labs to test the ingredients used in making the Laddus and other Prasadams. He suggested that, if needed, the TTD might seek advice from experts at IIT-Tirupati on improving processes.

The Chief Minister also reflected on the tradition of Anna Danam, which began under NT Rama Rao’s leadership with just 2,000 to 3,000 devotees daily. Today, the number has grown to three lakh.

During a meeting with TTD officials, Naidu instructed them to maintain the highest quality standards for Prasadam ingredients. He also advised them to limit VIP culture at the temple and manage crowd control during celebrity visits. Additionally, he recommended simple, spiritual decorations at the temple and proposed increasing the greenery on the Tirumala Hills from 72% to 90%.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy was also encouraged to seek feedback from devotees on temple operations, ensuring that their views are considered in maintaining the spiritual environment of Tirumala.