India’s richest temple, the Venkateshwara (Tirupati) temple will continue to have the patent of its famous ‘laddu’. It is the decision by Geographical Indications Registry which also granted the laddu the status of Geographical Indicator of the Tirupati region.

What is a geographical indicator?

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a status given to certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country). The use of a GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.

What was the controversy over the laddu?

As per Tirumala tirupati Devasthanam, unscrupulous elements were selling their preparations as Tirupati laddu and wanted the laddu to be its patent with GI tag.

In the current context, the Geographical Indications Registry was convinced with the Tirumala tirupati Devasthanam’ s claim that the laddu is unique in its “preparation, quality and reputation”.