TTD will perform this special ritual for the purity of Tirupati temple
After the matter of adulteration in the prasad of Tirupati temple came to light, the temple administration has made special preparations for the purity of the temple. Samprokshan and Shanti Homa will be organized in Tirumala temple on Monday (September 23). Both these events are being organized to ensure that if there is any impurity in the temple due to animal fat in the prasad, then it can be removed. Along with this, the temple official has told that Pavitrotsav is organized every year to maintain the purity of the temple.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Executive Officer Shamala Rao said, “An investigation panel has been set up which will evaluate the food samples on parameters of aroma, taste and texture. To ensure the sanctity of the temple, TTD organises ‘Pavitrotsava’ every year to check if any ‘fault’ has occurred during various programmes or religious rituals conducted for Lord Venkateswara. To ensure that the faith of devotees remains intact and they pray with a calm mind, a one-day ‘Samprokshan’ and ‘Shanti Homa’ will be organised tomorrow. With this, we are hoping that the sanctity of the Devalayam will be restored.”
What is the matter?
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had expressed concern over the quality of the prasad of Tirupati temple. After this, the prasad was examined and samples of ghee used in it were sent for examination. According to the report from a lab in Gujarat, the ghee used in the prasad was adulterated. Animal fat was found in this ghee. These things were also revealed by Chandrababu Naidu. After this, the Union Health Ministry has asked for a report from them. Naidu held the previous government responsible for adulteration in the prasad.
How did the ghee get adulterated?
A Karnataka government company used to supply ghee to Tirupati temple for a long time. However, some time ago, the company refused to supply ghee citing low prices. In such a situation, the tender for ghee was given to five different companies. It is being said that the ghee of one of these five companies contains animal fat. However, the company says that the ghee was supplied with the test report and there was no adulteration in it.
Investigation at IGP level, strictness in management committee and SOP for all temples, 3 big decisions of Andhra government after adulteration in Tirupati Prasad
The Andhra Pradesh government has taken three big decisions after the matter of adulteration in the prasad of Tirupati Balaji temple came to light. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that the temple will be purified as per the traditions. Along with this, orders have been given to investigate the entire matter at the IGP level. Now only those people will be in the management committee of the temple who have faith in God. Apart from this, a standard operating procedure (SOP) will be made for all the temples, which will be mandatory for all the temples to follow.
Countering Jagan Mohan Reddy’s statement, N Chandrababu Naidu said, “What nonsense is he (Jagan Mohan Reddy) talking about. Our government has not even completed 100 days. You tell the policies, criticize my policies and I will answer what you have done, what I have done. But, you wanted to divert attention, if you do this, even more sentiments will be hurt. I am adopting three approaches, first – purification according to traditions. I am ordering an inquiry at the IGP level. Only those people will be in the management committee who have faith. Finally, we will prepare SOP for all temples.”
Reddy had targeted Chandrababu Naidu
Jagan Mohan Reddy had said that Chandrababu Naidu’s government has not been able to do anything in the first 100 days and has failed to fulfill its promises. That is why to divert attention from the real issues and to hide his failure, he is talking about adulteration in temple prasad. Jagan Mohan Reddy had written a letter to PM Modi saying that Chandrababu Naidu is lying and hurting the faith of Hindus for political gains. Reddy had demanded that Naidu be reprimanded severely for his shameless act of spreading lies and the truth be brought out. This will remove the doubts created by Naidu in the minds of crores of Hindu devotees and restore faith in the sanctity of TTD.
SIT will investigate allegations of adulteration in ghee
Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday targeted the previous YSRCP government of the state and alleged that during the previous government of the state, many processes of purchasing ghee by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) were changed. Naidu said that due to this he has decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the irregularities. Naidu also alleged that during the previous state government, appointments in the TTD Board had become like “gambling” and there were instances of appointing people who had no faith and preference was given to non-Hindus in the board.
CM Naidu said playing with people’s sentiments will not be tolerated, SIT will investigate
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that there will be an SIT investigation into the allegations of adulteration in Tirupati’s Prasadam Laddu. He said that playing with people’s sentiments will not be tolerated. Targeting the previous YSRCP government of the state, he alleged that during the previous government of the state, many processes of purchasing ghee by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) were changed. Naidu said that due to this he has decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the irregularities.
Preference given to non-Hindus in the board
Naidu also alleged that during the previous state government, appointments in the TTD board had become like “gambling” and there were examples of appointing people who had no faith and preference was given to non-Hindus in the board. Speaking to reporters at his residence, Naidu said people’s sentiments were hurt after the revelations that animal fat was allegedly used in the making of the laddus. “An SIT will be formed under the supervision of an officer of the IG (Inspector General) level or above. It will investigate all the causes, abuse of power and submit a report to the government,” Naidu said.
The government will take strict action
The government will take strict action to prevent recurrence of such incidents (adulteration in laddus), there will be no compromise in this,” Naidu said. Chief Minister Naidu said no one has the right to play with people’s sentiments. Naidu said Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritual cleaning) will be performed at Tirumala on Monday to remove the alleged defilement. He said, “Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana will be performed at Bangaru Bavi (Golden Well) Yagyashala (ritual place) at Srivari (Sri Venkateswara) temple on Monday from 6 am to 10 am.”
Previous government relaxed rules
Naidu said that according to the earlier conditions, the ghee supplier should have at least three years of experience. However, it was reduced to one year after Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power, he said. He also said that the required turnover of the supplier was also reduced from Rs 250 crore to Rs 150 crore earlier. Naidu questioned how can someone give pure ghee for Rs 319 when even ‘palm oil’ is more expensive than this. He said AR Dairy Foods Private Limited started supplying ghee from June 12, 2024. Referring to the letter written by Jagan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the Yuvajana Sramika Raithu Congress Party (YSRCP) chief was trying to hit back by writing the letter.
No compromise in quality
Venkateswara Swamy’s prasadam has a special place as it contains pure ingredients and there has been no compromise in the quality of its preparation for the last 300 years. A few days ago, during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislature party meeting, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief had claimed that the previous YSR Congress Party government did not spare even the Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat to make laddus. Two days later, on September 20, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao said at a press conference that laboratory tests had revealed the presence of animal fat and pig fat in selected samples and the board was in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied the “adulterated” ghee.