HYDERABAD: Recent controversies surrounding the quality of ingredients used in offerings at the revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala have prompted renewed interest in the strict measures historically imposed to maintain the purity of temple offerings. A ghee tanker that arrived at the temple in July 2024 was found to contain traces of animal fat, including beef tallow, lard, and fish oil. The discovery has led to significant outrage, with Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan initiating an 11-day ‘Prayashchitta Diksha’ to atone for the incident.
This controversy echoes ancient practices, as detailed by Munirathinam, Director of Inscriptions at the Mysore Division of the Central Archaeology Department. Munirathinam has transcribed numerous stone inscriptions at the Tirupati Tirumala temple, some of which date back to the 8th century. These inscriptions offer a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous care that was taken by past rulers and temple authorities to ensure the sanctity and quality of food offerings, or prasad, at the temple.
Ancient Practices to Ensure Food Quality
In a recent interview, Munirathinam explained that the Tirupati Tirumala temple has over 1,150 inscriptions dating from the 8th to the 18th century, detailing various aspects of temple life, including the preparation of prasad. These inscriptions provide intricate details about the ingredients, methods, and hygiene standards required for preparing offerings to Lord Venkateswara. Rulers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, as well as wealthy devotees, were particularly focused on maintaining high standards for the prasad.
“Many of these inscriptions at Ananda Nilayam, which I have personally transcribed, show how important the purity and quality of the food were. The Kings, especially those visiting the temple on auspicious occasions, were deeply concerned about the prasad’s quality,” said Munirathinam.
He mentioned that rulers like Pallava queen Kanavan Perundevi and Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya made significant donations to the temple to ensure that only the best ingredients were used in preparing food offerings. For example, the Pallava queen donated 4,176 gold coins, while Krishnadevaraya and his consorts visited the temple seven times and gifted golden vessels for anna daanam (mass feeding).
Strict Oversight and Severe Punishments
The inscriptions not only describe the ingredients and methods for prasad preparation but also highlight the rigorous oversight of temple food preparation. Inspectors were assigned the task of monitoring every aspect of the kitchen, from the cleanliness of the environment to the quality of the ingredients being used. Any deviation from established norms or attempts to adulterate food were met with harsh punishments.
One such inscription recounts an instance where a temple worker was found guilty of food adulteration, while another was caught tampering with temple jewelry. In both cases, the workers’ entire families were permanently banned from any involvement in temple affairs. “This punishment was considered the ultimate form of social exclusion at the time,” Munirathinam explained. The inscriptions underscore the fact that such severe measures were seen as necessary to maintain the sanctity of the offerings and uphold the temple’s reputation.
A Tradition of Purity Under Threat
The current scandal involving the alleged adulteration of ghee used in the sacred laddu prasad at the Tirumala temple has sparked outrage and deep concern among devotees. Pawan Kalyan’s 11-day Prayashchitta Diksha is a reflection of the gravity of the issue. On September 22, 2024, Kalyan began his vow of atonement at the Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Nambur, Guntur District. His penance will conclude with a visit to the Tirumala temple.
The temple authorities have responded by conducting a Shanti Homam (a ritual for peace), but the incident has reignited discussions about the need for stricter controls over the quality of temple offerings. Many believe that lessons from the past, as outlined in the ancient stone inscriptions, could serve as a valuable guide for today’s temple administrators.
Controversy Surrounds Non-Hindu Appointments in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and Other Temples in Andhra Pradesh
The long-standing tradition of upholding Hindu customs and practices at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and other temples in Andhra Pradesh has faced increasing scrutiny amid recent controversies surrounding the appointment of non-Hindus in temple management. Historical evidence suggests that the custodians of the Sri Venkateswara Temple have always taken the quality of food preparation and religious practices seriously, with severe consequences for infractions. However, the appointment of non-Hindus in temple administration has sparked significant backlash.
In August 2023, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, the MLA for Tirupati, was appointed Chairman of the TTD, marking his second term after his first tenure from 2006 to 2008 during the Congress government led by Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy. His appointment has not been without controversy. Images of Reddy’s daughter’s wedding circulated on social media, where the bride and groom were seen dressed in attire associated with a Christian wedding. This fueled criticism regarding the family’s adherence to Christian practices, despite Reddy’s prominent role in one of the most revered Hindu institutions.
These concerns are not isolated. In January 2023, the State School Education Department appointed three Christian teachers to vacant positions at the Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School, managed by the TTD in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The appointments were made without TTD’s knowledge, causing protests among the Hindu staff. The principal, Napoleon, faced criticism for allowing the Christian teachers to begin work without informing the temple administration.
Further back in 2020, a media report revealed that A Rajasekhar Rao, Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) of the Sri Venkateswara Group of Temples, had been seen attending prayers at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Puttur. This added to growing concerns about non-Hindu involvement in temple affairs. In another instance, a sting operation exposed a senior TTD official who regularly attended church, leading the TTD to launch an investigation into non-Hindu staff. This probe uncovered 44 employees in violation of guidelines prohibiting non-Hindus from working in temple services.
Other significant controversies include the 2019 revelation that 17 non-Hindu employees were working at the Srisailam Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh, including Muslims and Christians. Among them were individuals like S. Khasim Vali, S. A. Wahab, and S. A. Rasool, alongside Christians such as Ch. Yohan, D. Ibrahim, and K. Benjamin.
The appointment of non-Hindus in temple services has stirred controversy for years. In 2018, the selection of Payakaraopet legislator Vangalapudi Anita, reportedly a Christian, to the newly formed TTD Trust Board sparked outrage. Similarly, in 2017, Deputy Executive Officer Snehalatha was found to be regularly attending a Christian Lutheran church using an official car, in gross violation of service rules.
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