Tirupati Temple Clarifies Rumors About Laddu Prasadam Amid Controversy
Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 24: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has clarified that rumors about a tobacco pouch being found in the sacred Laddu Prasadam are false. The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of TTD stated that it is inappropriate for devotees to spread such claims on social media. The Laddus are prepared by Sri Vaishnava Brahmins with utmost devotion and under strict rules, producing lakhs of Laddus daily under CCTV surveillance.
The temple authority emphasized that spreading misinformation about the well-organized system of Laddu preparation is unfortunate and urged devotees to disregard such rumors.
This clarification 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. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad protested outside the TTD administrative building, demanding strict action against those responsible for the alleged use of adulterated ghee in the prasadam.
Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati, President of Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad, accused YSRCP President and former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy of ruining the sanctity of the Tirumala temple during his tenure. In response, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged adulteration.
Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy dismissed the allegations, accusing the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of politicizing religious matters. He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is attempting to tarnish the reputation of TTD for political gain.
Doubts Revealed
Tirupati Temple -: Tirupati Temple is a famous Hindu temple in India, located in the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of the god Vishnu.
Laddu Prasadam -: Laddu Prasadam is a sweet offering given to devotees at the Tirupati Temple. It is made from ingredients like flour, sugar, and ghee, and is considered very sacred.
Tobacco pouch -: A tobacco pouch is a small bag used to carry tobacco. In this context, it was rumored that a tobacco pouch was found in the Laddu Prasadam, which the temple authorities denied.
CCTV surveillance -: CCTV surveillance means using cameras to monitor and record activities. The temple uses these cameras to ensure that the Laddus are made properly and safely.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu -: Chandrababu Naidu is a politician who has served as the Chief Minister (CM) of Andhra Pradesh, a state in India. He made claims about the quality of the Laddu Prasadam.
YSRCP government -: YSRCP stands for Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, a political party in Andhra Pradesh. The previous government was led by this party.
Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad -: The Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad is a group of holy men or sadhus in Andhra Pradesh. They protested to demand action regarding the rumors about the Laddu Prasadam.
Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy -: Jagan Mohan Reddy is a politician who served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh before Chandrababu Naidu. He dismissed the allegations about the Laddu Prasadam.
TDP -: TDP stands for Telugu Desam Party, a political party in Andhra Pradesh. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused this party of making the Laddu Prasadam issue political.
