Priests and Devotees at Chilkur Balaji Temple Protest Over Tirupati Prasadam Quality
In Hyderabad, Telangana, priests and devotees at the Chilkur Balaji Temple conducted a Prayaschitta Pradakshinam to protest the alleged use of vegetable oil and animal fat in Tirupati Prasadam. The event took place on Sunday, following reports that the quality of the laddu at Tirupati had been compromised.
Concerns Raised by Head Priest Rangarajan
Rangarajan, the head priest of Chilkur Balaji Temple, expressed his concerns, stating, “After news broke that the laddu at Tirupati has been compromised by using foreign substances like vegetable oil and animal fat, the priests and devotees at the Chilkur Balaji Temple conducted Prayaschitta Pradakshinam.”
He added that Venkateshwara Swamy himself came to the temple and said that those who couldn’t go to Tirumala could come here and receive blessings equal to those of a Tirumala visit. The devotees circumambulated the temple 11 times, symbolizing Prayashchitta.
Issues with Ingredient Quality
Rangarajan also raised concerns about the quality of ingredients used in nivedya and prasadam, questioning how officials sourced inferior ingredients. He criticized the tendering process, stating, “When you purchase ingredients for laddoo, you go for the lowest bidder; the moment you go for the lowest bidder, you are asking for trouble.”
Political Controversy
On September 19, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoo prasadam contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government. This statement has stirred a political controversy.
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, where the prasadam is offered, is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district.
Doubts Revealed
Chilkur Balaji Temple -: Chilkur Balaji Temple is a famous Hindu temple located near Hyderabad, India. It is known for its unique practice where devotees perform 11 rounds of the temple to have their wishes granted.
Prayaschitta Pradakshinam -: Prayaschitta Pradakshinam is a ritual where devotees walk around the temple as a form of penance or protest. It is a way to show their devotion and seek forgiveness or make a point.
Tirupati Prasadam -: Tirupati Prasadam refers to the sacred food offered to the deity at the Tirupati temple, which is then distributed to devotees. The most famous prasadam from Tirupati is the laddoo, a sweet made from flour, sugar, and ghee.
Vegetable oil and animal fat -: Vegetable oil is oil extracted from plants, like sunflower or coconut oil. Animal fat is fat derived from animals, like butter or lard. Using animal fat in prasadam is controversial because many Hindus are vegetarians.
Tendering process -: The tendering process is a way to invite and select suppliers for providing goods or services. In this context, it refers to how the ingredients for the prasadam are chosen and bought.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state. N Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a state in India.
YSRCP government -: YSRCP stands for Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, a political party in Andhra Pradesh. The previous YSRCP government refers to the time when this party was in power in the state.