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The revelation that the famous Tirupati Laddu Prasadam offered to the main deity, Lord Vishnu, at the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple contains adulterated ghee has caused a deep uproar. A report by a private lab confirmed the presence of palm oil, fish oil, beef tallow, and lard—substances considered non-vegetarian and unacceptable in Hindu religious offerings.
Religious Sentiments and Vegetarian Tradition Violated
The use of adulterated ghee in a sacred prasadam has deeply hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees who follow a strict vegetarian diet. In Hindu temples, the offerings to deities are traditionally vegetarian. The idea of using non-vegetarian products in offerings is not only a cultural taboo but also an act that violates religious principles.
In Tamil Nadu, during the Tamil month of Puratasi (September-October), many Hindu communities abstain from consuming non-vegetarian food to honor their devotion, making this revelation even more disturbing.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the Tirupati Balaji temple, oversees the preparation of laddus on a massive scale. More than 200 cooks prepare over 1,50,000 laddus daily at the temple’s kitchen, called Laddu Potu. This kitchen, located inside the Sampangi Pradakshinam of the temple, uses large quantities of ingredients such as:
- 10 tonnes of besan flour
- 10 tonnes of sugar
- 700 kg of cashews
- 150 kg of cardamom
- 300–500 liters of ghee
- 500 kg of sugar candy
- 540 kg of raisins
Over 7 lakh 24 thousand kilograms of ghee are used annually in the preparation of these laddus, a prasadam cherished by millions of devotees.
Geographical Indication Tag and Historical Legacy
The Tirupati Laddu received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2009 to curb black marketing and protect its unique recipe. The tradition of distributing laddu prasadam at the temple dates back to August 2, 1715. The distinctive flavor of the laddu, made with specific ingredients and processes, is considered irreplaceable and cannot be duplicated by others.
Political Controversy and Allegations
The issue has become politically charged, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accusing the previous government of corruption in awarding ghee contracts. The NDDB's CALF Lab in Anand, Gujarat, confirmed the presence of foreign fats in the ghee used for preparing laddus, including beef tallow, lard, and fish oil. This confirmation led to widespread public outrage, with many blaming officials from the former government led by the YSR Congress Party.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy supported these claims, stating that the lab results clearly showed the use of animal fats, which violated the sanctity of the prasadam.
Response from Opposition and Temple Officials
Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, calling it an act of vendetta by the current government. The controversy has also sparked internal concerns, with the Chief Priest of the Balaji temple noting a decline in the quality of laddus over time. Despite his complaints, the temple officials allegedly did not take action.
Impact on Devotees and Calls for Reform
The Tirupati Laddu holds immense religious significance, and this scandal has severely damaged public trust in the management of the Tirupati temple. Devotees from around the world, who consider the laddu a sacred offering, feel betrayed by the lack of oversight and quality control in its preparation.
Many are now demanding an overhaul of the temple’s administration, with calls for greater transparency and stricter standards to ensure that such a violation of religious practices does not occur again.
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