TFP Bureau, Tirumala; September 24, 2024: The revered Tirupati Balaji temple, one of the holiest shrines for Hindus, has become the center of a major controversy following revelations that animal fat was allegedly used in the preparation of temple prasad. The scandal surfaced after a laboratory report disclosed the adulteration, sparking widespread outrage among devotees. In response, temple authorities have begun ritual purification ceremonies to restore the sanctity of the temple.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) confirmed that a four-hour purification ritual, known as Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana, commenced at 6 AM on Monday and concluded by 10 AM. According to a source from TTD, the ritual is intended to cleanse the temple and counteract any desecration believed to have occurred during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. The rites are aimed at appeasing Lord Venkateswara and ensuring the purity of the temple offerings.
TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao stated that the purification process would also restore the sanctity of the Laddu Prasadam, which holds special significance for devotees. He emphasized that the well-being of the worshippers and the preservation of temple traditions remain the utmost priority.
How the Adulteration Was Exposed
The controversy began after a change of government in Andhra Pradesh in June, when N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) returned to power. Upon taking office, Naidu raised suspicions of possible adulteration in the famous Tirupati laddus. In response, the temple administration sent samples of the ghee used in prasad preparation to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) lab for testing.
The results of the tests were alarming. According to the NDDB report, the expected milk fat content in pure ghee should have been between 95.68 and 104.32 percent. However, the samples contained just 20 percent milk fat, revealing significant adulteration. Further analysis uncovered traces of soybean, sunflower, olive oil, cottonseed, maize, and even animal fats such as beef tallow and lard. The adulterated ghee was supplied by a Chennai-based company, AR Dairy and Agro Products, which has since been banned by the government.
Despite the findings, the company has denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for AR Dairy stated that the ghee supplied in June and July had passed testing by both the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Agmark, and there was no evidence of adulteration in the products delivered to the temple.
The revelation has ignited a fierce debate, with many devotees demanding accountability and swift action to ensure that such violations do not occur in the future. As the controversy unfolds, the temple’s purification rituals are seen as a step toward healing and restoring faith among the millions who worship at Tirupati Balaji.
