Overview
A significant controversy has emerged in India regarding the ingredients used in the laddus offered at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. Nara Lokesh Naidu, the national general secretary of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and state minister, announced that laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of fish oil and cow fat in the ghee used to prepare these sacred sweets.
Importance of the Temple
The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is one of the most revered religious sites for Hindus. Thousands of devotees visit the temple daily, believing that receiving the laddus, known as prasadam, is a blessing. The temple is a significant pilgrimage destination, reflecting deep religious sentiments among Hindus.
Political Fallout
Following Naidu’s statement, political tensions escalated. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress-led government in Karnataka of interfering in the temple’s administration and compromising the quality of the prasadam.
In contrast, Gowardhan Reddy, a former minister from the YSR Congress Party, claimed that the temple’s executive officer had disclosed that only vegetable oil was used in the laddus, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. Reddy suggested that the controversy was an attempt to distract from the state government’s flood management issues.
Laboratory Findings
The TDP has stated that the alleged adulteration was confirmed by a livestock laboratory in Gujarat. Spokesperson Anum Venkata Ramana Reddy provided a lab report indicating that samples of ghee from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam contained fish oil and cow fat.
Nara Lokesh emphasized that the laboratory results clearly indicated the use of animal fats in the laddu preparation, raising concerns among the Hindu community regarding the sanctity of the prasadam.
Reactions and Calls for Action
In response to the allegations, the BJP has called for legal action against those responsible for the alleged use of cow fat and fish oil in the sacred prasadam, arguing that it constitutes an affront to Hindu cultural and religious heritage.
Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Poon Kalyan, announced that the state government would investigate these allegations thoroughly. He proposed establishing a national “Sanatan Dharma Rakshan Board” to address issues concerning temples across India.
Production Details
The Tirupati temple produces approximately 350,000 laddus daily, with each laddu costing around 40 rupees to make. The preparation requires substantial quantities of ingredients, including 400-500 kilograms of ghee, 750 kilograms of cashews, 500 kilograms of raisins, and 200 kilograms of cardamom each day.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board manages the temple and is responsible for calling tenders for ghee supply every six months, purchasing around 500,000 kilograms of ghee annually.
