A major controversy has erupted at the revered Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, as recent test reports confirmed the use of beef tallow and fish oil in the preparation of its famous Tirupati laddus, traditionally distributed as sacred prasadam to millions of devotees. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the religious community and sparked a heated political debate in the state.

Laboratory tests, conducted by the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) at the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat, revealed the presence of animal fats in the ghee used for the laddus, a sacred offering in Hindu tradition. This news has outraged the temple’s devotees, many of whom regard the laddus as the ultimate symbol of sanctity and religious purity. The report found traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and palm oil in the ghee, which was supposed to be pure.

Tirupati laddus and religious sentiments

The Tirupati laddus, which are offered as prasadam to millions of pilgrims annually, are not just a treat but a symbol of faith for devotees of Lord Venkateswara. The news that animal fats, particularly beef tallow, were being used in place of pure ghee has sparked widespread dismay and anger. Devotees, who place immense trust in the temple’s management, have expressed their shock and horror at the violation of their religious beliefs.

This controversy has also unleashed a torrent of political accusations, with leaders like Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu condemning the previous YSR Congress Party government for allowing such practices during their tenure. According to Naidu, the sanctity of the prasadam was compromised under the administration of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, which allegedly permitted the use of substandard ingredients like animal fat in the sacred laddus.

Political backlash intensifies

The issue has sparked a fierce political debate, with leaders across parties trading barbs. Naidu accused the previous government of disrespecting the religious sentiments of crores of devotees by using such substandard ingredients. He claimed that since his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regained control of the temple’s management, pure ghee is now being used in the preparation of the laddus.

On the other hand, the YSR Congress Party has denied the accusations, claiming that the tests were manipulated for political purposes. Party leaders insist that the laddus were prepared using only high-quality ingredients and have accused their opponents of exploiting the issue to gain political mileage. Meanwhile, devotees are calling for an independent investigation to verify the claims and ensure the future sanctity of the prasadam.

Expert opinion: Quality control needed

Experts argue that such incidents highlight the need for stringent quality control measures, especially in religious institutions. Food safety regulations must be enforced in the preparation of offerings such as the Tirupati laddus. A food safety expert said that this scandal reflects poorly on both the temple’s management and the state’s oversight mechanisms, stressing that the use of animal fat in any prasadam is a gross violation of religious ethics and must be addressed urgently.

He suggests that comprehensive audits and independent quality checks are crucial to maintain the integrity of such sacred offerings. The temple’s trust must be fully transparent about the ingredients they use, especially given the emotional and spiritual connection devotees have with the prasadam.

A call for action

As the debate intensifies, devotees are demanding swift action from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust, the body responsible for managing the temple. Many are urging the authorities to conduct thorough investigations and implement stringent quality control measures to prevent any future occurrences. In the meantime, both sides of the political divide continue to use the issue as a tool for their own agendas, while the true focus remains on ensuring the purity and sanctity of the Tirupati laddus.

  Andhra Pradesh, CALF, N Chandrababu Naidu, Sri Venkateswara Temple, Telugu Desam Party, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSR Congress Party