HYDERABAD: In a move to counter the firestorm of allegations surrounding the revered Tirumala laddu prasadam, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer Sri J. Shyamala Rao has vehemently denied any compromise on the quality of ghee used in its preparation. Amid growing outrage after claims surfaced suggesting the presence of animal fat in the laddus, Rao reassured the public, stating that the sacred offering is prepared with the utmost sanctity using pure cow ghee.
Addressing media representatives at Annamaiah Bhavan on September 21, Shyamala Rao firmly asserted, “There will be no compromise on the quality of the ghee used. Millions of devotees around the world regard the laddu prasadam as sacred, and we are committed to ensuring its purity.” He added that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had issued clear directives to restore the sanctity, purity, and taste of the laddu prasadam, following concerns raised by devotees.
NO COMPROMISE ON GHEE QUALITY
WE WILL ENSURE THE SANCTITY OF LADDU PRASADAMS USING PURE COW GHEE: TTD EO pic.twitter.com/YjjvmADajR
— Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (@TTDevasthanams) September 20, 2024
This response comes in the wake of growing outrage and allegations, initially made by Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, that the previous YSRCP government had allowed the use of adulterated ghee, including animal fats, in the laddu prasadam. Rao emphasized the temple administration’s unshakable commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the laddu, revered by millions of devotees worldwide.
These allegations gained further traction when test reports from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Gujarat revealed the presence of alarming adulterants like soybean, sunflower oil, palm kernel fat, lard, and beef tallow in some ghee samples used at the temple.
Shyamala Rao admitted that over recent years, devotees had voiced concerns about the declining quality of the laddu prasadam, which prompted TTD to take swift corrective measures. “We held discussions with potu workers (laddu makers) and for the first time sent ghee samples to external labs for testing,” he explained. The results from the NDDB confirmed the presence of adulterants, leading to the suspension of several ghee suppliers.
As a result, TTD formed a committee of experts to investigate, and it was found that there are deficiencies in quality. Supplies have been temporarily halted, and after a thorough examination, a decision will be made regarding whether or not to restore the same products.
— Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (@TTDevasthanams) September 20, 2024
TTD currently sources ghee from five suppliers, including Premier Agri Foods, Kriparam Dairy, Vaishnavi, Sri Parag Milk, and AR Dairy, with prices ranging between Rs 320 to Rs 411 per kilogram.
Shyamala Rao emphasised that TTD has issued stern warnings to these suppliers and blacklisted any found guilty of adulteration. “We found four tankers of ghee supplied by AR Foods to be substandard, containing elements like lard and beef tallow, which is absolutely unacceptable,” he revealed.
Shyamala Rao acknowledged that the temple’s in-house testing facilities lacked the advanced technology needed to detect such adulteration, allowing suppliers to exploit these shortcomings. However, in a positive development, NDDB has pledged to donate ₹75 lakh worth of state-of-the-art equipment to upgrade TTD’s ghee testing lab. “This new lab, set to be operational by December or January, will enable us to conduct rigorous testing and ensure only pure cow ghee is used,” Rao stated.
Temporary Suspension of Cow-Based Raw Materials
In light of the controversy, TTD has also announced the temporary suspension of certain cow-based raw materials, such as ghee, jaggery, and rice, used in Srivari Naivedyam and Annaprasadam. “A committee of experts will be formed to review these practices, and based on their recommendations, we will decide whether to resume their use or discontinue them permanently,” the EO explained.
Preserving the Sacred Legacy of Tirumala
Despite the scandal, Shyamala Rao remained steadfast in his commitment to preserving the sanctity of the Tirumala laddu prasadam, which has symbolized the divine connection between Lord Venkateswara and His devotees for centuries. “We will ensure that the quality and sacredness of the laddu is maintained, and that every devotee feels the divine connection when they receive the prasadam,” he said.
TTD Additional EO Sri Venkayya Chowdary also participated in the meeting. This statement comes as a much-needed reassurance to devotees, many of whom had expressed concerns following the explosive revelations.
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