After lab detects animal fats in Tirupati laddus, Prayagraj temples urge devotees to offer coconut and fruits instead of sweets

In the wake of controversy surrounding the quality of laddus offered at the Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh, several prominent temples in Prayagraj have banned devotees from bringing sweets and processed items for offerings. Instead, devotees are being encouraged to offer coconut, fruits, dry fruits, and other natural items, a move aimed at ensuring purity and avoiding potential contamination in temple offerings.

A change in tradition

The decision to limit offerings to natural items like fruits and dry fruits was taken by temple authorities at key religious sites in the Sangam city, including the famous Alop Shankari Devi Temple, the Bade Hanuman Temple, and the Mankameshwar Temple.

Shiv Murat Mishra, the chief priest of Lalita Devi Temple in Prayagraj, commented on the new rules, stating, "In the meeting of our temple management held on Tuesday, it was decided that prasad of sweets will not be offered to the goddess in the temple, but devotees have been requested to offer coconut, fruits, dry fruits, cardamom, etc." He added that there are plans to set up shops within the temple premises that will sell pure sweets for devotees who still wish to offer them.

Similarly, Mahant Shridharanand Brahmachari Ji Maharaj, of the Mankameshwar Temple, said, "After the Tirupati controversy, we have banned bringing prasad from outside to Mankameshwar temple. We have written a letter to the district magistrate to get the laddu-peda available in the shops outside the temple tested."

Concerns over quality and safety

The move comes amid growing concerns about the purity of prasad offerings, particularly following the row over Tirupati laddus. The controversy erupted after former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in preparing the laddus during the tenure of the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government. Naidu’s accusations sparked outrage, with the ruling YSRCP dismissing the claims as "heinous allegations" made for political gain.

Naidu has since ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the allegations surrounding the laddus, further escalating the controversy.

In response to the concerns about adulteration, Mahant Balbir Giri Ji Maharaj, head of the Bade Hanuman Temple, revealed plans to enhance the purity of prasad offerings. He said, "After the construction of the corridor of the temple is completed, the temple management itself will prepare laddu-peda prasad for the Shri Bade Hanuman temple."

A broader movement for safer offerings

The push for more natural offerings is not limited to Prayagraj alone. On Monday, the Mankameshwar Temple in Lucknow also imposed a ban on offerings of prasad bought from outside vendors. The temple's management now recommends that devotees bring homemade prasad or fruits.

This broader trend reflects a heightened awareness of food safety and purity in religious offerings, particularly in light of the Tirupati laddu controversy. Temples across the region are beginning to implement measures such as quality checks on prasad and the possibility of producing their own offerings to ensure that what is offered to deities is of the highest standard.

Yamuna Puri Maharaj, chief patron of the Alop Shankari Devi Temple, emphasized the importance of shifting away from processed sweets, saying, "Devotees have been banned from bringing sweets and prasad from outside." He added that the temple is taking all necessary steps to ensure purity in its offerings.

(With inputs from agencies)