Explained: Row over mice on Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple's prasad packets
What's the story
Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak Temple has found itself embroiled in a controversy following the circulation of a video allegedly showing mice crawling on torn packets of prasad.
The footage, which has gone viral, sparked outrage among devotees over the temple's hygiene practices and safety standards.
However, the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGT) has refuted these allegations, claiming that the video was filmed outside the temple premises and could be an attempt to tarnish its reputation.
Probe initiated
Temple trust launches investigation into prasad controversy
The SSGT has initiated an investigation into the matter.
Sada Sarvankar, Shiv Sena leader and chairperson of the SSGT, told news agency PTI that "lakhs of laddus are distributed daily, and the place they are prepared is clean."
He dismissed the video as potentially defamatory but confirmed that a formal inquiry would be conducted.
"We will check the CCTV, and an officer of DCP rank will be appointed to conduct an inquiry," Sarvankar added.
Quality assurance
Temple officials assure strict adherence to hygiene standards
Veena Patil, Executive Officer at Siddhivinayak Temple, also responded to the viral posts.
She assured that the temple adheres strictly to hygiene standards and follows Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation norms.
Sarvankar further reassured the public during a press conference, explaini ng that a dedicated team of 25 employees works around the clock to prepare laddus in a strictly regulated, hygienic environment.
Process details
Temple's prasad preparation process explained
During a press conference, Sarvankar also detailed the temple's prasad preparation process.
He explained that all ingredients, including ghee and cashew, are first tested at the BMC's lab before use.
Even water is tested at this lab to ensure purity.
"This means we pay full attention to ensure that the prasad given to devotees is pure," he said.
Previous controversy
Tirupati laddu row
The Siddhivinayak Temple incident follows a similar controversy surrounding the quality of prasad laddus at the Sri Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
On September 18, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu cited a National Dairy Development Board report claiming that animal fat was used in Tirupati laddus during the previous government when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was the chief minister.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Reddy, dismissed these claims as "heinous allegations" aimed at gaining political mileage.