Prayagraj temples advise devotees to maintain 'purity' amid laddu row
Following the Tirupati laddu scandal, several temples in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, have advised devotees to bring alternatives such as dry fruits and coconut instead of sweets. This decision was made due to concerns over the "purity" of offerings after it was alleged that adulterated ghee with animal fat was used in making laddus at Tirupati temple. The temples implementing these restrictions include Alop Shankari Devi, Bade Hanuman temple, Mankameshwar temple and Lalita Devi temple among others.
Temples restrict sweet offerings, promote alternatives
Shiv Murat Mishra, the chief priest of Lalita Devi temple, said that a decision was made during their temple management meeting on Tuesday to stop offering prasad of sweets. Instead, devotees are encouraged to offer alternatives like coconut, fruits, dry fruits and cardamom. He also mentioned plans to open shops within the temple premises where "pure" sweets will be available for devotees.
Temples seek purity tests, plan own prasad production
Mahant Shridharanand Brahmachari Ji Maharaj of Mankameshwar temple has requested the district magistrate to test the "laddu-peda" sold outside their temple. Until the investigation confirms their purity, these sweets will not be permitted as offerings. The Mankameshwar temple has also prohibited devotees from bringing their own prasad and is considering conducting quality checks and potentially establishing its own testing facilities.
Bade Hanuman temple to prepare 'sacred' offerings
Bade Hanuman temple also plans to make "sacred" offerings inside the temple premises. Mahant Balbir Giri Ji Maharaj, the patron of this temple, stated that once the construction of the corridor is completed, they will prepare "laddu-peda" prasad for Shri Bade Hanuman temple themselves. This move is aimed at ensuring the purity and sanctity of prasad offered to devotees.
SIT formed to probe Tirupati laddu scandal
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has appointed senior IPS officer Sarvashresth Tripathi to head a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged adulteration of ghee used in making the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) temple laddu prasadam. The SIT will also include two more senior IPS officers—Visakhapatnam range deputy inspector general of police Gopinath Jetty and Kadapa district superintendent of police Harshavardhan Raju.
