AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Begins 11-Day Fast Over Tirupati Laddu Controversy
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan arrived at Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada on Tuesday morning to perform a purification ritual. This is part of his 11-day ‘Prayaschitta Diksha’ to atone for the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam.
On Sunday, Kalyan stated, “During the YSRCP regime, 219 temples were destroyed. I questioned the destruction of these temples. We will not tolerate this, and strict action will be taken. What has the TTD board done in the past five years? Hindu devotees must speak out. What was once sacred has been desecrated. The guilty must face punishment.”
Earlier, Kalyan announced on X that he would fast for 11 days to seek forgiveness from Lord Balaji. He expressed his deep hurt over the alleged contamination of the prasad and vowed to complete his penance with a visit to Tirupati on October 1 and 2.
Kalyan also accused the previous government of altering the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams board for political gain, leading to various scams and the desecration of over 300 temples. He further alleged that even Ayodhya received contaminated laddus from TTD during the YSRCP regime.
The controversy follows claims by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YSRCP government.
Doubts Revealed
AP -: AP stands for Andhra Pradesh, which is a state in the southern part of India.
Deputy CM -: Deputy CM means Deputy Chief Minister, who is the second-highest-ranking official in the state government.
Pawan Kalyan -: Pawan Kalyan is a famous actor and politician in Andhra Pradesh. He is also the Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
11-Day Fast -: An 11-day fast means not eating any food for 11 days to show protest or seek forgiveness.
Tirupati Laddu -: Tirupati Laddu is a special sweet given as a blessing (Prasadam) at the Tirupati temple, which is a famous temple in Andhra Pradesh.
Prayaschitta Diksha -: Prayaschitta Diksha is a ritual to seek forgiveness for mistakes or sins. It involves fasting and prayers.
Animal fat -: Animal fat is a type of fat that comes from animals. Some people believe it should not be used in religious food.
Kanaka Durga Temple -: Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous temple in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, dedicated to the goddess Durga.
YSRCP -: YSRCP stands for Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, which is a political party in Andhra Pradesh.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams -: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is the board that manages the Tirupati temple and its activities.
Lord Balaji -: Lord Balaji is another name for Lord Venkateswara, the main deity worshipped at the Tirupati temple.