Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Amid the controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in ghee for making laddoos at the Tirupati temple, temple officials performed a special purification ceremony—‘maha shani homam’—to restore the sanctity of the temple’s prasadam. This comes after reports suggested that the ghee used in the laddoos was adulterated with animal fat, sparking widespread outrage among devotees.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the temple, has since changed its ghee procurement process, with officials saying that the new ghee has improved the taste of the prasadam. Syamala Rao, the Executive Officer of the TTD, confirmed that the ritual lasted four hours, focusing on the temple kitchen where the laddoos are made.
Purification Ceremony to Restore Sanctity
Following the purification ritual, Krishna Seshachala Deekshitulu, one of the head priests, assured devotees that everything had been purified and urged them to visit the temple without concern. “Everything is purified… I request all the devotees not to worry anymore. Come have darshan and take ‘prasadam’ back home,” he said.
Political Uproar Over the Allegation
The controversy erupted after a July 17 lab report from Gujarat indicated the presence of animal fat in the ghee used at the temple. The accusation was raised by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alleged that the YSR Congress, under former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, had mishandled temple management.
Naidu ordered a special police team to investigate the matter, while also accusing former TTD Chairperson Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and ex EO Dharma Reddy of irregularities. Naidu declared that non-Hindus would no longer be allowed on the temple’s management board.
Response From the Former Chief Minister
In response, Jagan Mohan Reddy denounced the claims, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calling Naidu a “pathological liar.” He defended the temple’s procurement practices, explaining that ghee tankers undergo thorough testing and that any substandard tanker is rejected. He also flagged disclaimers in the lab report, which stated that certain conditions could affect the validity of the findings.
Reddy accused Naidu of using religion for political gains and questioned the motives behind the allegations.
Calls for Investigation and Penance
The controversy has led to demands for a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan, a deputy in Naidu’s administration, began an 11-day fast as penance for the alleged desecration, saying, “If a church or mosque was involved, this would have caused a national uproar. Why are Hindus expected to not raise issues?”
Government’s Involvement and Legal Action
The Union government has also taken the matter seriously, with Health Minister JP Nadda and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi calling for detailed reports and vowing to take the issue to its “logical end.” A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking an investigation into the alleged violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
Tirupati Temple’s Laddoo Production
The Tirupati temple kitchen produces around three lakh laddoos daily, using 1,500 kg of ghee, cashews, raisins, cardamoms, gram flour, and sugar. The ghee used in the laddoos was reportedly sourced from a supplier in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, and the temple has since updated its procurement practices to ensure the highest quality of ingredients.
