Free Prasad Soon For Devotees Of Ayodhya Shri Ram Temple.

Ayodhya: Ram Temple To Launch Free Prasad For Devotees, Similar To Traditions Of Tirupati Balaji.

Since the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Ramlala’s idol in the newly built temple, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust has been striving to introduce a free food distribution system. However, due to certain challenges, only a limited version of this initiative was implemented on the first anniversary of Pran Pratishtha.

Kamakshi Bishnoi | Jagran News Desk | Ayodhya | Mar 13, 2025:: Devotees visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are soon expected to receive free prasad, similar to the tradition followed at Tirupati Balaji. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust is considering implementing this system, with plans to begin around Ram Navami.

On the instructions of the Trust’s General Secretary and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Vice President Champat Rai, VHP Central Minister Rajendra Singh Pankaj visited Andhra Pradesh to study the Annadanam system at Tirupati Balaji. Following his visit, he has shared detailed insights with the Trust’s General Secretary, paving the way for the launch of a similar initiative in Ayodhya.

Since the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Ramlala’s idol in the newly built temple, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust has been striving to introduce a free food distribution system. However, due to certain challenges, only a limited version of this initiative was implemented on the first anniversary of Pran Pratishtha. The Trust initially began distributing food prasad on 11th January, the first day of Pratishtha Dwadashi, serving Halwa and Tehri (a rice dish). Later, only Tehri was distributed.

This system was temporarily halted during the Maha Kumbh, when large crowds and administrative restrictions made it difficult to continue. Even now, food distribution has not resumed. However, the Trust is working on expanding and institutionalising the initiative.

According to Hriday Narayan Chaturvedi, who oversees food distribution, the Trust aims to provide high-quality, free meals to devotees, much like the Tirupati Balaji Temple. A dedicated kitchen will be built in the Angad Tila complex near Ram Janmabhoomi, where meals will be prepared and served.

At the famous Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh, free meals are offered to devotees under the Annadanam scheme, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust. A specially designed kitchen prepares food for 70,000 to 75,000 devotees daily.

Additionally, under the Prasadam scheme, the Trust distributes its world-famous laddus to devotees. These laddus are made in a separate kitchen, with three to four lakh prepared daily.

On 18th January, BR Naidu, the President of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust, visited Ayodhya to inspect the darshan system at the Ram Temple. Impressed by the arrangements, he expressed interest in implementing a similar system in Tirupati. He was accompanied by several priests who also observed the temple’s management practices.
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Courtesy: Jagran News.