Ambaji, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Ambaji Temple in Gujarat has officially received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its traditional prasad, Mohanthal. This recognition will provide legal protection for the name and help preserve its traditional identity and the heritage associated with its preparation.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held at Chachar Chowk on the first day of Navratri, where the official certificate was presented to the Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust. The certificate was issued on October 1, following the completion of the trust’s application and necessary legal procedures.
Professor Dr. Unnat Pandit, the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks, as well as the Registrar of Geographical Indications, presided over the event. Also present were Mihir Patel, the district collector of Banaskantha, along with other officials.
During the program, Pandit emphasized the importance of maintaining the authenticity and quality of traditional products. He stated, “The GI tag will ensure that devotees visiting Ambaji receive genuine Mohanthal prasad.”
He also highlighted the role of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in promoting and selling GI-tagged products through a dedicated GI store. This store features products from various regions, helping to preserve their traditional identities and boost sales.
Pandit remarked that this honor not only recognizes the unique identity of Ambaji’s Mohanthal but also pays tribute to the faith of millions in Maa Jagdamba and the spiritual heritage of the region.
He noted, “The GI tag will provide legal protection against unauthorized use and imitation of the name, while also helping to maintain the traditional preparation process of the prasad.”
With this recognition, Ambaji’s Mohanthal joins the ranks of famous Indian religious offerings that have received GI tags, including Tirupati Laddu and Palani Panchamritam.
Kaushik Modi, the administrator of the Ambaji Temple and additional collector, addressed the gathering, discussing the significance of the GI tag and the efforts made by the temple trust to secure this recognition.
The ceremony was attended by officials from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat Intellectual Property Task Force, representatives from partner organizations, members of the temple trust, staff, and devotees.
The GI recognition provides a unique geographical identity to Ambaji’s traditional prasad, offering a framework to protect its name from unauthorized use while strengthening its connection to the temple and its established traditions.
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