The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the esteemed Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, has established a sensory panel to evaluate the quality of food offerings, following allegations of adulteration in the temple’s iconic laddu prasadam. TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao announced this initiative during a press briefing on Sunday, stating that the panel will assess food samples based on their aroma, taste, and texture.
To restore devotees’ confidence and ensure they can pray with peace of mind, Rao mentioned that one-day samprokshnas and shanti homams (purification rituals) will be held, aimed at reinstating the sanctity of the temple.
In a parallel move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate irregularities in the procurement of ghee and other related temple operations. The SIT will be led by an officer of Inspector General rank or higher and is tasked with uncovering any misuse of power, with a focus on preventing future incidents of laddu adulteration.
Naidu emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The government will take stringent action to avoid recurrences; there is no compromise.” This decision follows TTD’s recent findings, which revealed sub-standard ghee and the presence of lard (pig fat) in samples tested for quality. Naidu criticized previous procurement practices under the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), asserting that lax standards compromised the quality of offerings.
In response to a letter from YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu dismissed the allegations as an attempt to shift blame, labeling them as “concocted stories” intended to divert attention from the real issues.
As the investigation progresses, both the SIT and the sensory panel aim to ensure that the temple’s offerings meet the highest standards of quality and integrity, restoring faith among the devotees.
