A new controversy has emerged in the Tirupati Laddu issue, as a devotee claimed to have found traces of gutka and tobacco in the prasadam during her recent visit to the temple. In response, a four-hour purification ritual was performed at the sacred shrine on Monday.
According to an India Today report, Donthu Padmavati, a resident of Khammam district, made the shocking discovery after her temple visit on September 19. “As I was about to distribute the laddu, I was horrified to find bits of tobacco wrapped in a small piece of paper,” Padmavati shared. She expressed her dismay, adding, “Prasadam is supposed to be holy, and discovering such contamination is deeply distressing.”
On Monday, a four-hour purification ritual was performed at the sacred Tirumala shrine to appease Lord Venkateswara Swamy after allegations surfaced of “sacrilegious practices,” such as mixing animal fats in the preparation of Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweets), temple sources reported.
A Shanti Homam was conducted from 6 am to 10 am in the temple’s Yagashala, following the principles of ‘Vaikhanasa Agama,’ to dispel any negative effects and restore the sanctity of the laddu prasadam and other naivedyams (food offerings to the deity), ensuring the well-being of Srivari (the deity) devotees. Temple priests were also seen sprinkling holy water in the potu (the kitchen where laddus are made) and over the ingredients.
Later, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) executive officer J Shyamala Rao assured devotees that they can now set aside any concerns about the laddus, as the sanctity of the ‘prasadam’ has been restored through the four-hour purification ritual.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan conducted a ‘purification ritual’ at the Kanaka Durga Temple as part of his 11-day ‘Prayaschitta Diksha,’ in response to the alleged adulteration of Tirumala’s Laddu Prasadam.
He stated, “Today is the third day of Prayaschitta Diksha. Since childhood, I have followed Sanatana Dharma. I am a devotee of Sri Ram and proud to be a Hindu.”
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Hindu Sadhu Parishad staged a protest outside the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams administrative building, demanding action against those responsible for the Laddu Prasadam controversy.
Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati, President of the Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad, accused YSRCP President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of “destroying the sanctity” of the Tirumala temple during his time in office.
“We are deeply troubled. YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy, being from the Christian community, never prioritized Lord Venkateswara or showed belief in Hinduism. He consistently appointed Christians to key positions like chairman and other roles, and these officials viewed Lord Venkateswara from a business perspective,” said Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati.
“In just five years, Jagan Mohan Reddy has ruined the sanctity of the Tirumala temple. He has taken a significant amount of money from the offerings made by Hindu devotees. We demand that the government take strict action against those responsible,” the seer added.
