Tirupati Temple Laddus: Cost, Importance, and the Latest Controversy Unveiled
The TDP in Andhra Pradesh has alleged that a laboratory report detected “beef tallow,” “lard,” and fish oil in the ingredients used for Tirupati laddus.
Image Source: North East Rising
The Tirupati temple laddu, made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), is a cherished offering for devotees visiting the Tirumala Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh.
However, it has recently attracted negative attention due to claims of “animal fat” being detected in its ingredients. The laddu, offered as ‘prasad’ at the temple, has been at the center of controversy following a laboratory report that allegedly found traces of “beef tallow,” “lard,” and fish oil. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of desecrating Tirumala, home to the renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, though he noted that efforts to restore the sanctity had begun.
Dating back to the 1920s, the Tirupati laddu, also known as Srivari laddu, holds significant cultural and religious importance. It has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, giving the TTD exclusive rights to produce and sell the sweet. In Hindu mythology, the laddu is an offering to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu who is believed to help humanity through difficult times. The laddus are available both within the temple premises and at designated counters outside, with a shelf life of up to 15 days. The laddus come in three sizes: small (40g), medium (175g), and large (750g). The small ones are distributed free of charge to devotees at the temple, while the medium and large ones cost ₹50 and ₹200, respectively.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that a laboratory in Gujarat found “beef tallow,” “lard,” and fish oil in the laddu, causing public outrage as these ingredients violate Hindu religious beliefs. The controversy has also sparked a political dispute between the TDP and YSRCP, with the TDP accusing the previous YSRCP government of initiating this practice.
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