Why does this Kerala temple offer Munch as prasad? Story behind viral tradition

A Kerala temple has drawn attention online for a temple tradition involving Munch chocolate, with devotees reportedly offering the wafer bar to Lord Murugan and receiving it back as prasad. A video documenting the practice has prompted curiosity, fond reactions and criticism on social media, with viewers discussing both the unusual offering and the story associated with it.

The video was shared by Reha Adani, who visited Thekkan Pazhani Sree Subramanya Swami Maha Kshetram Thalavadi Temple in Alleppey, Kerala. Describing her experience, Adani wrote in the caption, “This looks like any other temple, until you enter and get Munch as the prasad.”

How did Munch become part of the temple tradition?

The precise origins of the chocolate offering are not known. However, the practice has reportedly been followed at the temple for several years.


News reports have said that devotees offered Munch bars to Lord Murugan and received a portion of the chocolate as prasadam, along with flowers and sandal paste. Different accounts have been cited about how the custom began, but the temple authorities could not confirm its exact origin.

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A post shared by Reha Adani (@stitchyourmap)

Adani also shared one version of the story in her video. According to her account, a child who was unwell offered Munch to Lord Murugan and subsequently recovered. Devotees then continued making the offering, eventually leading to the deity being associated with the name “Munch Murugan”.

Video prompts mixed reactions online

The unusual temple practice prompted a range of responses from viewers, with some people sharing personal experiences and others expressing excitement about receiving Munch as prasad.

“I visited this temple so beautiful and yeah the munch was extra crunchy don't know why ...” one user wrote.

Another said the tradition had also been featured on History TV18, adding that they had seen it around 15 years ago.

“How can a munch fan express the feeling of receiving munch as Prasad,” a third user commented.

Another person wrote, “Dreamt of getting a Munch as prasad a year ago… now I’ve found the temple. Coincidence or a sign?”

The tradition also faced strong criticism from another user, who wrote in capital letters, “ITS NOT CUTE, NOR IS IT PRASADAM.”

The user argued that the practice was disrespectful to the temple, deity and religious tradition, questioning whether the packaged chocolate met the requirements to be considered prasadam. The commenter also criticised the use of plastic packaging and raised concerns about the product’s ingredients, including sugar and palm oil.

The comment further described the practice as harmful to religious traditions and called for it to be stopped.