Priests of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Monday performed a cleansing ritual following alleged reports of the presence of animal fat, including beef tallows in the famous Tirupati laddu ;off

Ayodhya/Udupi: Following the raging controversy over animal fat and adulterated ghee found in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam distributed to devotees by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust, prominent religious heads have vociferoulsy demanded for handing over the management of the temples to Hindu community,

As the controversy continues to reverberate nationwide, various quarters are demanding steps to safeguard the sanctity of Hindu temples and their 'prasadam'.

The decision to conduct Shanti Homam was taken amid claims of adulterated ghee being used for making the laddu at Sri Venkateswara Temple.

A four-hour cleansing ritual was performed at the Tirumala temple on Monday (23 September) amid the controversy surrounding allegations of animal fat being used in Tirupati laddus when YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) was in power.

J Shyamala Rao, executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which oversees the temple, said the rituals will “ward off the ill effects and restore the sanctity of laddu prasadams (consecrated food) along with the well-being of Srivari devotees.

The ritual began at 6 am and lasted till 10 am. It was aimed at propitiating Lord Venkateswara Swamy from the alleged sacrilegious practices such as mixing animal fats in making Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet) and others.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu criticized the previous YSRCP government for altering ghee procurement procedures at Tirumala Tirupa

Eight temple priests, guided by three Agama Shastra advisors, led the rituals for the Shanti Homam, which began at 5:40 am and concluded within two hours.