Devotees Flock to Tirumala Temple Amid Laddu Prasadam Controversy
Devotees are visiting the Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati during the month of Poratasi, despite a controversy over the adulteration of Tirupati Prasadam. Poratasi Masam is significant as it is believed that Lord Venkateswara appeared on earth during this month.
The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations of adulteration in Tirupati Prasadam (laddus).
Naidu stated, “We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of IGP and above posts. The SIT will submit a report to the government, and we will take action based on that report so that such things are not repeated.”
Addressing the media, Naidu accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of appointing close associates to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board and using it for political gains. He claimed that the ghee used in the prasadam during the previous YSRCP government contained animal fat.
Meanwhile, Jagan Mohan Reddy denied the allegations, stating that the procurement of ghee has been through an e-tendering process for decades. He accused Naidu of trying to tarnish the reputation of the TTD.
Doubts Revealed
Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple -: This is a famous Hindu temple located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, a form of the god Vishnu.
Poratasi -: Poratasi is a Tamil month, usually falling between mid-September and mid-October, considered very auspicious for worshipping Lord Venkateshwara.
Prasadam -: Prasadam is a religious offering in Hinduism, usually food, that is first offered to a deity and then distributed to devotees.
Adulteration -: Adulteration means adding something harmful or of lower quality to a product, in this case, the prasadam.
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southeastern part of India.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, similar to a Prime Minister but for a state.
Nara Chandrababu Naidu -: He is a politician and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at the time of the controversy.
Special Investigation Team -: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is a group of experts formed to investigate serious issues or crimes.
Jagan Mohan Reddy -: He is another politician in Andhra Pradesh, often in opposition to Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
Political misuse -: This means using political power or influence inappropriately for personal or party gain.
Trust board -: A trust board is a group of people responsible for managing the affairs of an organization, like a temple.
Ghee -: Ghee is a type of clarified butter commonly used in Indian cooking and religious rituals.
Procurement process -: This is the method of obtaining goods or services, in this case, the ingredients for the prasadam.