Tirupati prasadam sale soars; 14 lakh laddus sold in four days

HYDERABAD: Controversy continues unabated regarding the animal fat content purportedly found in the Laddu prasadam of Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple at Tirupati. Ironically, a report suggests that 14 lakh laddus were sold from the temple in the last four days. Officials estimate that almost 60,000 people bought laddus from the temple every day.

The average number of laddus sold in Tirupati is 3.50 lakhs per day. Even the controversy failed to bring down the laddu sale which is now soaring unperturbed.

As big as 3.59 lakhs of laddus were sold on September 19, 3.17 lakhs on the 20th, 3.67 lakhs on the 21st and 3.60 lakhs on the 22nd. Officials said pilgrims might have bought large quantities of Prasada to give to friends and family members.

Meanwhile, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam submitted a report to the Andhra Chief Minister denying the allegation of impure ghee used in making the Laddu.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was the first to allege that animal fat was used to make laddus. Later, a lab in Gujarat found the presence of animal fat and fish oil in the sample. Andhra government has announced an SIT investigation into the incident. Amidst the controversy taking a political route, YSRCP rejected Naidu's allegation.

The Tirupati temple was cleaned last day following allegations that animal fat was added to the laddus served as prasadam. A cleansing ritual was performed in the temple for four hours. Officials clarified that this is to remove the evil and restore the sanctity of Laddu Prasad.