Following the controversy regarding claims of presence of animal fat in laddus, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has pledged to promptly restore the original quality of laddus at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, The Indian Express reported.
The allegation regarding animal fat in laddus has stirred up a major political row in the state.
“There will be no more compromise on the quality of the laddus and the quality of ghee used (to make it),” TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao said. However, the TTD announced on Saturday that it will temporarily suspend the use of cow ghee and milk-based products in the preparation of other offerings, or “prasadams,” for the deity.
The TTD is also ramping up its supply of ghee in preparation for the temple’s nine-day Brahmotsavam, a grand annual event taking place from October 4 to 12 this year, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
“A new vendor, KMF, is in place to supply top quality ghee. We don’t see any issues,” Andhra Pradesh’s minister Nara Lokesh Naidu told IE.
Muni Ratnam, in charge of the ‘Potu’ kitchen, stated that during the religious event, the temple maintains a daily stock of 800,000 to 900,000 laddus. The TTD anticipates 700,000 to 800,000 devotees will attend the Brahmotsavam festival.