Tirupati Devotees To Now Also Get Vadas For Free Twice A Day
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) announced that vadas, a popular savoury snack, will now be served twice daily at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasada Kendra.
This initiative marks an expansion of the existing Annaprasadam (free meal) services, catering to the growing number of devotees visiting the sacred hill shrine.
TTD Chairman BR Naidu formally launched the extended service after performing traditional rituals at the Annaprasada Bhavan.
Demonstrating the TTD's commitment to pilgrim welfare, Mr Naidu personally served freshly prepared vadas to devotees, underscoring the spiritual significance of the Annaprasadam.
Previously, the Annaprasada Kendra had a daily provision to make approximately 40,000 vadas, served primarily during lunch hours. With the new directive, vadas will now be made from 11 am to 10.30 pm, ensuring that a larger number of pilgrims can partake in this popular offering, Mr Naidu said.
"Following requests from the pilgrims, we have now added vada to the dinner menu as well," the TTD Chairperson said. He emphasised that the decision was aimed at providing tastier Annaprasadam and accommodating the continuous flow of devotees.
On average, the TTD expects to serve between 70,000 to 75,000 vadas daily with this extended service.
The vadas, prepared by the TTD with a blend of Bengal Gram, green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, coriander, mint, and fennel seeds, have consistently received positive feedback from devotees for their taste and quality.
The service to provide wholesome and hygienic meals to pilgrims free of cost is a tradition that began in 1985 with the Venkateswara Nithya Annadanam Endowment Scheme.
The announcement has been met with widespread appreciation from the pilgrim community, who expressed their pleasure at the increased availability of this beloved snack.
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2 days ago
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Last Updated: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is preparing approximately 75,000 vadas every day In a significant move aimed at enhancing the quality and variety of Annaprasadam offered to devotees, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has introduced vadas as part of the daily menu at the main Anna Prasadam center in Tirumala. Devotees can now relish freshly prepared vadas during both lunch and dinner hours, from 11 am to 10 pm. A few days ago, TTD had introduced vadas during lunch. Now, they are also being served at dinner, expanding the offering to more devotees throughout the day. As part of this initiative, TTD is preparing approximately 75,000 vadas every day. During peak periods such as Brahmotsavams and other festivals, the number is expected to exceed one lakh. To mark the launch of this new addition, TTD Chairman BR Naidu performed a special puja at the Vengamamba Annaprasada Bhavan in Tarigonda, Tirumala. He offered vadas to the portrait of Swami Ammavarla and later personally served them to devotees. Speaking to the media, he emphasised the Board's commitment to offering quality, hygienic, and delicious food to the visiting pilgrims. 'Although vadas were already being served during lunch, we have now extended the offering to dinner as well," he said. 'They are made with ingredients like gram flour, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, coriander leaves, and anise, specially tailored to suit devotees' tastes." The daily Annaprasadam menu typically includes chutney, sweet, rice, dal, sambar, curry, rasam, and buttermilk. With the inclusion of vadas, the offering becomes even more wholesome. However, vadas will be available exclusively at the main Anna Prasadam center and not at the other 36 distribution points across Tirumala. TTD's Annaprasada Trust recently completed 40 years of service. It continues to provide food to over 1.7 lakh to 1.9 lakh devotees daily, with the number rising to 2.2 lakh on weekends and up to 3 lakh during major festivals. In addition to meals, around 41,000 devotees are served milk, coffee, and buttermilk daily. Breakfast is provided to nearly 65,000 devotees, lunch to 77,000, and dinner to 51,000. To meet these demands, TTD uses around 12 tonnes of rice, 7 tonnes of vegetables, and 6,000 litres of milk every day. First Published: July 07, 2025, 20:04 IST
NDTV
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Tirupati Devotees To Now Also Get Vadas For Free Twice A Day
Hyderabad: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) announced that vadas, a popular savoury snack, will now be served twice daily at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasada Kendra. This initiative marks an expansion of the existing Annaprasadam (free meal) services, catering to the growing number of devotees visiting the sacred hill shrine. TTD Chairman BR Naidu formally launched the extended service after performing traditional rituals at the Annaprasada Bhavan. Demonstrating the TTD's commitment to pilgrim welfare, Mr Naidu personally served freshly prepared vadas to devotees, underscoring the spiritual significance of the Annaprasadam. Previously, the Annaprasada Kendra had a daily provision to make approximately 40,000 vadas, served primarily during lunch hours. With the new directive, vadas will now be made from 11 am to 10.30 pm, ensuring that a larger number of pilgrims can partake in this popular offering, Mr Naidu said. "Following requests from the pilgrims, we have now added vada to the dinner menu as well," the TTD Chairperson said. He emphasised that the decision was aimed at providing tastier Annaprasadam and accommodating the continuous flow of devotees. On average, the TTD expects to serve between 70,000 to 75,000 vadas daily with this extended service. The vadas, prepared by the TTD with a blend of Bengal Gram, green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, coriander, mint, and fennel seeds, have consistently received positive feedback from devotees for their taste and quality. The service to provide wholesome and hygienic meals to pilgrims free of cost is a tradition that began in 1985 with the Venkateswara Nithya Annadanam Endowment Scheme. The announcement has been met with widespread appreciation from the pilgrim community, who expressed their pleasure at the increased availability of this beloved snack.
