Visakhapatnam: Devotees suffering from diabetes will not have to worry anymore about missing out on prasadam at the Varaha Lakshmi Narsimga Swamy temple in Simhachalam. Temple officials are mulling offering dry fruits as prasadam, apart from the usual laddu.
Authorities say dry fruits are a healthier alternative. The temple administration are chalking out plans to offer a packet of almonds, cashews, walnuts, dried dates, raisins as prasadam in the near future.
“The intake of dry fruits is recommended by our rich culture and traditions round the year owing to their nutritious value and other health benefits.
The dry fruits will not increase the blood sugar levels. We are planning to introduce dry fruits as prasadam,” said executive officer of Simhachalam temple K. Ramachandra Mohan.
Thousands of pilgrims go to the temple every day from various parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha and Chhattisgarh. After Tirumala Tiupati Devastanam, Simhachalam temple in Vizag is the richest followed by Sri Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada.
Sources said that around 30 per cent of the devotees who visit the temple were either missing out on the laddu prasadam — fried with gram floor, sugar and ghee — or were consuming very small portions due to diabetes.
“We will discuss our idea of introducing the dry fruits prasadam with various people including the ministers and will announce the decision soon,” Mr Mohan said.
