Lonavala Chikki Officially Awarded GI Tag; Mahur’s Renuka Mata Tambul Also Recognised
Lonavala Chikki Officially Awarded GI Tag; Mahur’s Renuka Mata Tambul Also Recognised
Pune, July 16, 2026: Maharashtra’s iconic Lonavala Chikki has officially been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising its unique heritage and longstanding association with the hill town of Lonavala. Along with it, Renuka Mata Tambul, a traditional offering from the revered MahurGad temple, has also received GI status.
https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublicSearch/Application/Details/948
The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai, under the Government of India, has issued the official certification for both products. With these latest additions, the number of GI-tagged products from Maharashtra has increased to 50, highlighting the state’s rich cultural, culinary, and traditional heritage.
The GI registration process was led by GI expert Dr. Ganesh Hingmire, with active participation from the Lonavala Chikki Association as well as priests and traditional Tambul vendors from Mahur.
https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublicSearch/Application/ViewDocument
Traditional Mahur Tambul Gets Recognition
Renuka Mata Tambul is a sacred offering presented at the Mahur temple, one of Maharashtra’s revered Shakti Peethas. There are only seven families currently continuing the centuries-old practice of preparing this offering.
The Tambul holds cultural and medicinal significance and has been passed down through generations. The GI tag will help preserve this unique tradition and ensure its continued recognition.
The Story Behind Lonavala Chikki
The origins of Lonavala Chikki date back to the British era and are closely linked to the construction of the railway line between Karjat and Khandala.
In 1882, Bhivraj Agarwal and his son Maganlal moved from Agra to Mumbai. During the early 1900s, when thousands of labourers were engaged in building railway tunnels and laying tracks in the Western Ghats, Bhivraj created a nutritious snack by combining jaggery, peanuts, and puffed rice. The affordable and energy-rich sweet, initially known as “Guldani,” quickly became popular among workers and eventually evolved into the famous Lonavala Chikki, which is now synonymous with the hill station.
The GI tag is expected to strengthen the product’s authenticity, protect its identity, and further promote Maharashtra’s traditional food heritage on national and international platforms.
