The Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Tirumala, Tirupati, underwent a four-hour “ritualistic sanitisation” on Monday after allegations surfaced regarding the use of animal fat in the preparation of the sacred Tirupati laddus. The Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana ritual was performed from 6 am to 10 am, aimed at restoring the sanctity of the laddus and the well-being of devotees.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao stated that the rituals were conducted to “ward off the ill effects” of alleged sacrilegious practices that supposedly took place during the tenure of the YSRCP government, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.
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The controversy erupted on September 19 when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of using ghee containing animal fat in the preparation of the Tirupati laddu ‘prasadam’. Lab tests reportedly confirmed the presence of animal fat, including beef tallow, lard, and fish oil, in ghee samples sent to a Gujarat-based laboratory.
In response to the findings, TTD announced it would blacklist the contractor who supplied the adulterated ghee. The Andhra Pradesh government also set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged use of animal fat.
However, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy vehemently denied the accusations and wrote an eight-page letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing Naidu of spreading lies for political gain. Reddy urged the Prime Minister to take action against Naidu, calling his statements an attack on the faith of millions of devotees.
[…] Also read: Tirupati Laddu Row: Temple ‘Sanitised’ Over Fat Claims […]