The iconic Mohanthal prasad of the Ambaji temple in Gujarat has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, providing legal protection against unauthorised use and duplication while safeguarding the traditional identity and preparation method of this celebrated temple offering. The official certificate was presented to the Shree Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust on the first day of Navratri, at a ceremony held at Chachar Chowk in Ambaji.

The Certification and its Significance

The GI certificate was formally issued on 1 October 2025, following an application by the temple trust and the completion of all prescribed statutory procedures. The event was chaired by Prof. Dr Unnat Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and Registrar of Geographical Indications, in the presence of Banaskantha District Collector Mihir Patel and other officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pandit underscored the value of preserving authenticity in traditional offerings. 'The GI tag would help ensure that devotees visiting Ambaji receive authentic Mohanthal prasad,' he said. He further noted that the recognition 'honoured not only the distinctive identity of Ambaji's Mohanthal but also the faith of millions of devotees in Ma Jagdamba and the region's spiritual heritage.'

What the GI Tag Means for Devotees and the Temple

Kaushik Modi, administrator of the Ambaji temple and additional collector, outlined the significance of the GI recognition and the sustained efforts made by the temple trust to secure it. The tag gives the Mohanthal prasad a distinct geographical identity, legally barring any unauthorised party from using the name or replicating the product under the same label.

This is particularly meaningful for the millions of pilgrims who visit one of Gujarat's most revered shrines each year — ensuring that what they receive as prasad is the authentic, traditionally prepared Mohanthal and not an imitation.

Ambaji Mohanthal Joins an Exclusive List

With this recognition, Ambaji's Mohanthal joins a small but growing group of Indian religious offerings that carry GI protection, including the famed Tirupati Laddu and Palani Panchamirtham. Each of these tags reflects a broader national effort to institutionalise the protection of culturally and spiritually significant food products.

Notably, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), based in Ahmedabad, has established a dedicated GI store to promote and sell GI-tagged products from across the country, helping traditional artisans and institutions improve market reach while preserving regional identities.

Who Was Present and Who Made It Happen

The ceremony was attended by officials of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat Task Force on Intellectual Property, representatives of collaborating organisations, members and employees of the temple trust, and devotees. The EDII, Ahmedabad played a key supporting role in the application process alongside the temple trust.

The GI tag positions Ambaji's Mohanthal as a protected cultural and spiritual symbol of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, with a legal framework now in place to preserve its name, preparation method, and legacy for generations to come.