Varanasi: The name of North Gujarat-based Banas Dairy has reached Uttar Pradesh as it began the production of ‘mahaprasad’ at its newly established Banas Kashi Complex in Varanasi. The Mahaprasad of ‘Tandul Ladoos’ was launched on Dussehra and will now be distributed daily to hundreds of devotees by Amul at the temple’s prasad kiosk.

Talking about this initiative, the Executive Director of Banas Dairy, Brigadier Vinod Bajiya, said, “As of now, Amul’s Banas Union has started a plant at the Banas Kashi Sankul milk processing unit in UPSIDA Agro Park, Karkhiyaon, which is the closest plant to Baba Vishwanath temple. That is how the prasad manufacturing order came to us.”

Regarding the SOP and recipe for the Mahaprasad, Bajiya stated, “Research was conducted by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple trust, and after the research as per Shastra, a special recipe was developed. Based on that, we prepared and sent samples of the prasad for months, accommodating the changes as per the trust, and the final product ‘Mahaprasad’ was launched on October 12th, Vijayadashami, from the temple premises.”

After the research from the scholars of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple trust, it was found that the offering made to Baba consists of Tandul (rice) and Bel Patra. Keeping that in mind, the recipe was created, which includes rice flour (Tandul), ghee, cashew, almond, clove, cardamom , sugar syrup, and bel leaf extract.

According to the SOP developed by Banas Dairy and Amul, the bel leaves that are offered at the temple are washed and processed at the Banas Kashi Complex. The entire prasad-making process occurs in a spiritually conducive environment, complete with classical puja and recitations. This process is monitored through 24/7 CCTV surveillance, with background checks on personnel involved.

The temple trust has entered into a tri-party agreement with GCMMF and Banas Dairy for the production of the ‘mahaprasad’ laddus. Currently, Banas Dairy is producing 3 quintals of Mahaprasad initially, and as demand rises, we will be able to meet the needs of the devotees.

Talking about the SOP, Bajiya said that as per the Vidhi, the workers making prasad will first take a bath, perform pooja at the temple, and then enter the facility for making mahaprasad. We have also made arrangements for bhajans to be played at all times so that the spiritual environment can lead to an enhanced taste in the prasad.

Amul has commenced selling the ‘mahaprasad’ at the temple kiosk, with sufficient production capacity to meet future demand from devotees in Varanasi and beyond. The plant can produce 20 tonnes of ‘mahaprasad’ daily. DeshGujarat