'Everything is purified' after rituals at Tirupati amid laddoo row
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) conducted a "purification ritual" on Monday in the kitchens where prasadam is prepared following allegations of animal fat in the ghee used for making the famous laddoos. The ritual, known as Shanti Homam, was led by the chief priest who declared that "everything is purified" at the temple now. According to temple officials, the ceremony will "ward off ill-effects of adulteration and restore sanctity of laddoos as 'prasadam,' and ensure devotees' well-being."
TTD admits to 'mistake' in prasadam preparation
The TTD, which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, admitted to a "mistake" in offering prasadam and laddoos made from adulterated ghee. It organized the Mahashanti Yagam as a "purification ritual to atone for this." The board used panchagavya, or five sacred products, to purify both the laddoo potu (kitchen where laddoos are made) and annprasadam potu (kitchen where prasadam is prepared).
Purification ritual details and chief priest's statement
Eight archakas (priests) and three agama advisers participated in the purification ritual. TTD executive officer Shyamala Rao and other board officials were also present. "This morning, after 6:00am we sought the permission and blessings of Lord Venkateswara and performed the homam... Now, everything is purified, and I request all devotees to please come to Tirupati Balaji, seek the blessings of Balaji," said Tirupati temple's chief priest Krishna Seshachala Swamy.
Political leaders demand investigation into laddoo controversy
The controversy erupted after Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu alleged that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were discovered in the laddus at Tirupati temple during the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government. Referring to a private lab report from Gujarat, he claimed that the ghee used for making the "prasadam" contained "beef tallow," "lard," and fish oil. Reddy refuted the allegations, claiming that no violations happened during his regime and accused Naidu of doing "politics in the name of God."
Supreme Court involvement and political petitions
The matter reached the Supreme Court on Monday, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy seeking the formation of a court-monitored committee to look into the allegations. "There ought to have been checks and balances internally to supervise...verify and check the quality or the lack of it, of the suppliers supplying various ingredients," he said. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also appealed to the court to take suo motu cognizance of this issue and initiate a probe.
