Mankameshwar Temple Bans Market Prasad Amid Tirupati Ghee Controversy
Mankameshwar temple in Lucknow has decided to ban prasad bought from the market due to concerns over adulteration in the ghee used for Tirupati temple laddoos. Mahant Divya Giri has asked devotees to bring homemade prasad or fruits to maintain the temple’s sanctity. This decision is effective from Monday morning.
Mahant Divya Giri stated, “We have taken this decision in view of the Tirupati prasadam row. We have banned the prasad purchased from the market in the ‘Garbh Griha’. We have requested the devotees to bring homemade prasad.” She added, “In order to maintain sanctity and purity of the temple, we have requested the worshippers to bring only home-made Prasad like kheer or halwa.”
A devotee at the temple supported the decision, saying, “We will follow the directions and welcome the decision.”
This decision follows allegations by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirumala Tirupati laddus during the rule of the previous YSCRP government. A TDP spokesperson cited a lab report of a ghee sample to support the allegation. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy denied the allegations, accusing the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of politicizing religious matters.
Doubts Revealed
Mankameshwar Temple -: Mankameshwar Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Prasad -: Prasad is food that is offered to a deity in a temple and then shared among the devotees as a blessing.
Adulteration -: Adulteration means adding something harmful or of lower quality to a product, making it unsafe or less pure.
Ghee -: Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is commonly used in Indian cooking and religious rituals.
Tirupati Temple -: Tirupati Temple, also known as Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, is a famous Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.
Laddoos -: Laddoos are sweet, round balls made from flour, sugar, and ghee, often served as prasad in temples.
Mahant Divya Giri -: Mahant Divya Giri is a religious leader or head priest at the Mankameshwar Temple.
Sanctity -: Sanctity means the state of being holy or sacred, which is very important in religious places.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu -: N Chandrababu Naidu is a politician who has served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a state in India.
Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy -: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is a politician who has also served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, succeeding N Chandrababu Naidu.
