TTD’s Tirumala laddus ghee contains foreign fat, NDDB report reveals.
The ghee used by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) in the preparation of ritual offerings (Naivedyam) to Lord Venkateswara Swamy and the famous Laddu Prasadam has come under scrutiny following a shocking revelation by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). An analysis conducted by NDDB’s Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF), based in Anand, Gujarat, found the presence of “foreign fat” in the ghee samples. The foreign fat included fish oil, beef tallow (a rendered form of beef suet), and lard, which is fat drawn from the abdomens of pigs.
This discovery has caused widespread alarm, as both religious sentiments and public trust are at stake. The Tirumala temple is one of the most sacred sites for Hindus, and millions of devotees visit every year to offer prayers and receive prasadam, including the iconic laddus. The use of impure or non-vegetarian ingredients in any form of offering, especially those involving beef and pork products, is a grave violation of the religious customs and beliefs of Hindus.
The TTD has long prided itself on the meticulous care and adherence to tradition that goes into preparing offerings for the deity and prasadam for devotees. The Laddu Prasadam is not only a religious symbol but also an iconic culinary delight that has become synonymous with the Tirumala pilgrimage. Devotees take great pride in receiving and distributing the laddus as sacred food, and any tampering with its purity is likely to cause deep anguish and outrage.
The NDDB’s report is based on a scientific analysis of ghee samples, which revealed the adulteration. The term “foreign fat” used in the report refers to a mixture of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard, none of which should be present in ghee used for religious purposes. Beef tallow is derived from the fat of cattle, while lard comes from the abdominal fat of pigs. Both of these substances are strictly prohibited in Hindu religious practices, especially in temples, where purity and vegetarianism are of paramount importance.
The report’s findings have triggered calls for a thorough investigation and immediate action. Religious leaders, devotees, and public figures alike have demanded accountability from the authorities responsible for sourcing and preparing the offerings. There is widespread outrage that such contamination could occur in a temple of such high repute, and many are questioning the procurement processes followed by TTD.
In response to the allegations, the TTD has launched an internal probe and promised to take strict action against any wrongdoers. The board has assured devotees that measures will be put in place to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. The TTD is likely to revisit its procurement channels, supplier contracts, and quality control mechanisms to prevent further contamination of ritual offerings.
Devotees and the public are also urging for a transparent and thorough investigation by independent authorities to ascertain the full scope of the issue. While the TTD remains committed to upholding the sanctity of its offerings, the incident has raised serious concerns about the quality control measures in place at one of India’s most revered religious sites. The authorities will need to take swift and corrective measures to restore faith in the purity and sanctity of the prasadam, which holds immense religious significance for millions of people worldwide.
In conclusion, the discovery of foreign fat in the ghee used at the Tirumala temple has shocked devotees and raised questions about food safety and religious integrity at the sacred site. The authorities are under immense pressure to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the sanctity of the offerings remains untainted in the future.