Amid Animal Fat in Tirupati Laddus Controversy, Four-Hour Cleansing Ritual Completed At Tirumala Temple — All About It

A four-hour cleansing ritual was performed at the Tirumala temple on Monday (23 September) amid the controversy surrounding allegations of animal fat being used in Tirupati laddus when YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) was in power.

Temple officials reported that three homa gundas were set up for the Homa ceremony, which followed the Shastras closely. Eight temple priests, under the guidance of three Agama Shastra advisors, conducted the Shanthi Homam.

While Shanti Homam commenced at 5:40 am and was completed in two hours, other rituals including the Vastu Homam and an extensive cleansing process, where vessels, machines, and the ceremonial space were purified, followed.

Priests also performed the Panchagavya Prokshana, a sacred ritual involving the sprinkling of a mixture made from five cow products to sanctify the environment., India Today reported.

These ceremonies were held to seek divine atonement from Lord Venkateswara Swamy for the alleged sacrilegious acts, including claims of animal fats being mixed in the preparation of the sacred Tirupati laddu prasadam.

On Sunday, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao clarified that the rituals aimed to dispel negative energies and restore the sanctity of the laddu prasadam, ensuring the spiritual well-being of the devotees.

The controversy escalated when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed last week that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were found in the laddus served when Jagan Mohan Reddy was the CM.

Citing a private lab report from Gujarat, Naidu alleged the presence of "beef tallow," "lard," and fish oil in the ghee used. In response, former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy denied the accusations, asserting that no violations occurred under his administration.