A devotee from Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh, has alleged that she found tobacco wrapped in paper inside a laddu offered as prasadam at the renowned Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. This claim follows recent allegations that animal fat was found in the temple laddus, sparking a political row in the state.
Donthu Padmavati, who visited the temple on September 19, shared her shock after discovering the tobacco when she was about to distribute the prasadam to her family and neighbours. “I was horrified to find pieces of tobacco wrapped in a small paper,” she said, expressing her disappointment. “The prasadam is supposed to be sacred, and to find such contamination is heartbreaking.”
The revelation has caused alarm among the millions of devotees who visit the Tirupati temple, especially since the laddus have long been considered a symbol of purity and devotion. The incident has raised serious concerns about quality control measures at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple trust responsible for managing the shrine.
The Larger Controversy
This latest claim adds fuel to an ongoing controversy surrounding the temple laddus. Last week, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister, substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of the laddus. Naidu cited a private lab report from Gujarat that purportedly found traces of “beef tallow,” “lard” (pig fat), and fish oil in the ghee used to prepare the laddus.
Naidu’s allegations have sparked outrage among the temple’s devotees and drawn sharp political reactions. He accused Reddy’s government of negligence, claiming it allowed the use of such substandard ingredients. However, Jagan Mohan Reddy denied these allegations, stating that no such violation occurred under his administration. Reddy dismissed Naidu’s claims as politically motivated, accusing him of “doing politics in the name of God” and labelling him a “pathological and habitual liar.”
Impact on Devotees’ Trust
The Tirupati laddu is not just a religious offering but also a cherished symbol of the temple’s sanctity. The recent claims of contamination and substandard ingredients have raised concerns among devotees, many of whom are now questioning the quality of the offerings.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the tobacco incident or respond to Naidu’s allegations about animal fat. However, many are calling for stricter oversight of the production process to ensure the quality and sanctity of the prasadam.
For millions of pilgrims, the temple’s offerings hold deep religious significance, and any perceived breach in their purity could potentially damage the reputation of the Tirupati temple.
Political Fallout
The political storm surrounding the allegations has intensified the rivalry between Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy. While Naidu has capitalised on the controversy to criticise Reddy’s governance, the latter has countered by accusing Naidu of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain. The issue has become a flashpoint in Andhra Pradesh politics, with both parties trading accusations in a bid to sway public opinion.
As the controversy unfolds, many devotees are waiting for clarity from the temple authorities and the state government on the steps being taken to address these concerns. Until then, the faith of millions in the Tirupati laddu remains under scrutiny.
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