With a purification ritual and new ghee, Tirupati laddus are back, officials tell devotees: ‘Set aside doubts’

This comes after allegations emerged that the ghee that was being used to make the laddoo had been adulterated with animal fat. A R Dairy Food Private Limited, the Tamil Nadu-based company that had been supplying the ghee, have denied allegations that their ghee was adulterated.

On Monday, rituals were conducted at the tanks used to store ghee, and the storage area where other ingredients that go into preparing the laddoos and other offerings to the deity are stored, as well as the kitchen, and the trays used to carry the offerings.

A TTD official said, “We are now using mainly Nandini brand ghee, which has restored the quality, taste, and aroma of the offerings.” According to officials, seven tankers each carrying approximately 13,000 litres of Nandini brand ghee have arrived at Tirumala since August 25.

In recent days, the TTD has witnessed an increase in sale of laddoos as the number of pilgrims have started to increase due to various festivals, and the nine-day Brahmotsavam from October 4 to 12. On September 22, the number of devotees visiting was 82,646, up from 73,104 on September 20.

The temple’s chief priests Monday conducted the purification ritual from 6 am to 10 am. “To ward off the ill-effects and restore the sanctity of laddoo prasadams and other ‘naivedyams’, along with the well-being of the devotees, the purificatory ritual, Shanti Homam, was observed as per the tenets of Vaikhanasa Agama in the yagashala of Tirumala temple on Monday morning,” the TTD said.

After this, TTD executive officer J Syamala Rao said, “The devotees can put aside their apprehensions and misconceptions about the quality of laddu prasadam and naivedyams,” he said.

Teams of TTD officials are continuously gathering feedback from devotees purchasing the laddoos, and from devotees who partake in the free meals known as “anna prasadam”.