Amid Tirupati laddoo row, priests perform 'Shanti Homam' to purify and as act of atonement
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On Monday, September 23, 2024, a 'Shanti Homam' was performed at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala as an act of atonement following allegations of adulterated ghee in the preparation of the temple's prasadam. The purification ritual, known as 'Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana,' was conducted to cleanse the temple and allay concerns among devotees. This follows a major controversy over claims that animal fat had been found in the ghee used to make Srivari offerings and the famed laddu prasadam.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer Shyamala Rao explained that the four-hour ritual, which began at 6:00 am, was performed to restore the sanctity of the temple offerings and reassure devotees. Rao clarified that the issue of adulterated laddus had been addressed in August through similar sacred rituals and that TTD now ensures the procurement of pure ghee from certified suppliers. An 18-member expert panel has been established to monitor the quality of the ghee used, and additional measures such as setting up testing laboratories have been initiated.
The purification ritual comes amid growing concerns fueled by a lab report from Gujarat indicating the presence of animal fat in the ghee. This controversy has sparked political tensions, with Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ordering a police investigation and questioning the previous administration’s role in managing temple affairs.
Despite the controversy, temple authorities have reassured devotees that corrective measures have been implemented, including the use of pure cow ghee, which has led to improved taste in laddus and other prasadam. The TTD has also announced the establishment of a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) lab in Tirumala to ensure the continued purity of the ingredients used in the temple kitchen, which produces around three lakh laddus daily.
"For the past four-five days, there have been many news spreading worldwide that the ghee used to prepare Balaji's laddus contained animal fat. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and TTD management approached us for a solution. We suggested that TTD perform a homam called 'Shanti Homam' for purification, and they accepted. This morning, after 6 am, we sought the permission and blessings of Lord Venkateshwara and performed the homam... Now, everything is purified, and I request all devotees to please come to Tirupati Balaji, seek the blessings of Balaji, buy your laddus, and share them with your family and friends," says Krishna Seshachala Swamy, Chief Priest of Tirupati Temple.
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