New Delhi: Amid growing concerns among devotees about the purity of world-famous Tirupati ‘laddu prasadam’, the trust managing a famous temple dedicated to Vindhyavasni Beejasan Devi in Madhya Pradesh has called for a ban on ‘laddus’ being sold by a self-help group on the premises. This comes amid claims of adulterated ghee being used for making laddus at Sri Venkateswara Temple, following which the temple authorities performed purification ritual.
The representatives of the trust submitted a memorandum to the collector of Sehore in Madhya Pradesh seeking ban on ‘laddus’ being sold on the premises after devotees complained of bad smell and taste. Vindhyavasni Beejasan Devi temple is situated on an 800-foot high hillock in Salkanpur, some 70 kilometres from the state capital Bhopal.
The memorandum called for a ban saying any sort of adulteration will bring a bad name to the trust and the temple. “We want a ban on the sale of these laddus on the temple premises,” temple trust chairman Mahesh Upadhya told PTI.
Sehore collector Praveen Singh said, “The memorandum was received when I visited the temple two-three days ago. A meeting was held between the trust and the self help group. It involved the employment of many women in the SHG. The issue is almost settled.” The temple is patronised by thousands of people, who climb more than 1,000 steps to reach it. A grand fair is held during Navratri.
Earlier, Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir banned the offerings prepared by external agencies. Chief Priest Acharya Satyendra Das questioned the purity of ghee being sold nationwide and said ‘prasad’ should be prepared under supervision of temple priests only. He also demanded a “complete ban” on prasad prepared by external agencies in all prominent temples and monasteries.
“Prasad to the deities should be prepared under the temple priests’ supervision and only such prasad should be presented to the deities,” said Das. “The controversy over the alleged use of fat and meat in Tirupati Balaji’s prasad is escalating across the country. Both seers and devotees are expressing anger and demanding an investigation,” he said.
Controversy Over Tirupati Laddu Continues
The Tirupati Laddu, also called the ‘Srivari Laddu’, has been the main offering at the temple for more than 300 years. The newly-elected TDP government accused the previous YSRCP government of “adulteration” with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu claiming that animal fat was used in place of pure ghee, sparking concerns.
However, Jagan Mohan Reddy refuted the allegations and has written to Prime Minister Modi asserting that no violation took place under his government and the entire controversy is unwarranted.
Amid the ongoing row, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams held a purification ritual called the ‘Shanti Homam’. It was performed in the kitchens where the laddu are prepared for offering.
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