The centuries-old Sri Srikanteshwara Temple in Nanjangud town is all set to chant the hygiene mantra. The temple will get a hi-tech laddu-making machine within a few months to ensure high quality and hygienic prasadam.
Authorities of the temple, popularly known as Dakshina Kashi, recently asked a Bangalore-based agency to make the machine, which was originally designed by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).
According to the work order, the agency has to install the machine by mid-March, run it on a trial basis for six months and train locals to use it before temple authorities take over. The cost of the project is approximately Rs 38.61 lakh.
Manu Achari, the temple’s assistant engineer, said the machine has the capacity to produce 20,000 laddus in eight hours. “It will also ensure quality and hygiene, and will ensure laddus weigh exactly 100 grams,” Achari added.
The machine will be set up in a 25x35 feet area on the temple premises. It will include a boondi forming machine, fryer and blender, among others. Further, a testing lab will be set up, and the whole unit will be in a dust-free air-conditioned area.
“We only have to put in the ingredients — red gram, sugar, cashew nuts, raisins, water and oil in separate containers. They will be mixed automatically. Even the packaging will be done by the machine. We just need to put in the required number of packets,” Achari said.