A sweets and savouries maker from Tapeswaram in East Godavari district, known particularly for his ‘Kaja’, a delicacy from the region, is getting ready to make a six-foot diameter, 3,500 kg ‘Maha laddu’ as a special offering to the Khairatabad Ganesha in the State capital.
In 2010, Sri Bhakthanjaneya’s Suruchi Foods offered a laddu weighing 500 kg and 2,400 kg in 2011, drawing attention.
The process of making the first laddu was showcased in a documentary ‘Maha Ganapathiki Maha Naivedyam’ (offering for Maha Ganapathi) that was released by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.
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Polisetty Mallibabu, owner of Suruchi Foods and 15 others will design the ‘laddu’ in their home-cum-factory at Tapeswaram near Mandapeta on September 2 after performing Ganesha pooja. On September 10, a Ganesha idol will be installed in a pandal and the laddu-makers will wear Ganesha mala.
The actual making of the laddu will start on September 16 and take two days, after which it will be sent to Hyderabad on September 18.
On September 19, the laddu would be handed over to the Khairatabad pandal organisers in the presence of Mr. Narasimhan and several Ministers, Mr. Mallibabu said. Asked if the Khairatabad Ganesh idol could withstand the 3.5 tonne weight of the laddu, he said, the organisers were in touch with him. “As the idol was made with 10 tonnes of iron, it can easily take the weight of the laddu,” he said.
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Though no preservatives are used, the laddu would stay fresh for six months, he assured.
Ingredients, include 150 kg of cashew nuts, badam (80 kg), yellow camphor (20 kg), cardamom (20 kg), Bengal gram (850 kg), ghee (750 kg) and 1,600 kilos of sugar.