Tirupati Temple Claims to Restore Prasad's Purity Amid Adulteration Controversy

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) trust announced on Friday that it had "restored the sanctity" of the sacred laddus (prasad) distributed at the Tirupati temple amid an ongoing controversy over alleged adulteration. This came as calls for an investigation grew louder, with several union ministers weighing in, while tensions flared between the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and its political opponents.

Temple Trust's Assurance

In a statement shared on social media platform X, the TTD reassured devotees that the "divinity and purity" of the Srivari laddu, the temple’s signature prasad, were now "unblemished." The trust affirmed its commitment to maintaining the holiness of the prasad for all devotees.

Political Controversy

The controversy began earlier this month when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu raised concerns, citing a lab report that allegedly found adulteration in the laddus. Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used during the tenure of the YSRCP government. Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly denied these allegations, calling them "atrocious" and accusing the opposition of politicizing religious matters.

Concerns About Prasadam Quality

Despite the political back-and-forth, temple officials acknowledged concerns about the quality of the laddus in recent years. Shamala Rao, the executive officer of TTD, noted that under the previous administration, there was no system in place to properly test the quality of the ghee used to make the prasad. After receiving complaints from devotees and consulting with the temple's Potu workers (who prepare the laddus), the temple sent samples of ghee to an external lab for testing earlier this week.

Ghee Quality Issues Found, No Animal Fats Detected

The lab tests revealed deficiencies in the quality of the ghee used by the temple’s suppliers, though no mention of animal fats was made in the findings. TTD posted details of the investigation on social media, listing the five ghee suppliers involved: Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Dairy, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk, and AR Dairy. The prices quoted by these suppliers ranged between Rs. 320 and Rs. 411 per kg, which the temple trust stated were "not viable for supplying pure ghee."

Also read: Tirumala Laddu Controversy: Claims of Animal Fat in Prasadam Sparks Outrage

As the investigation continues, the Tirupati temple has reassured its devotees of its commitment to maintaining the purity of its sacred offerings. The political and public debate surrounding the issue, however, is far from over. The TTD's efforts to address quality concerns and uphold the sanctity of the prasadam will remain in focus as further developments unfold.