14 Lakh Laddoos Sold in Just 4 Days Amid Political Row in Andhra Pradesh
Each day, more than 3 lakh laddoos are freshly prepared at the Tirupati temple.
Hyderabad: Despite a heated political controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos, the sales of this revered prasad from Sri Venkateswara Temple remain unaffected. The temple, which attracts more than 60,000 pilgrims daily, has sold over 14 lakh laddoos in just four days, according to the temple administration.
Sales figures show 3.59 lakh laddoos were sold on September 19, followed by 3.17 lakh on September 20, 3.67 lakh on September 21, and 3.60 lakh on September 22. These numbers are consistent with the temple’s daily average of 3.50 lakh laddoos sold to devotees.
When asked about the controversy, a devotee named Venkateshwar Rao said, “Our faith is too strong to be shaken.” Several other pilgrims echoed the sentiment, stating that the issue is now “a thing of the past.”
Every day, more than 3 lakh laddoos are prepared, and devotees eagerly purchase them not just for personal consumption but also to share with friends and family. Key ingredients in the laddoo include Bengal gram, cow ghee, sugar, cashews, raisins, and almonds. A staggering 15,000 kg of cow ghee is used daily for preparation.
The controversy began when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat was used in the ghee for laddoos during the previous YSRCP regime. The state government has since formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate these claims.
Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, whose party was defeated in the recent elections, has accused the ruling TDP of exploiting religious issues for political gain. “The tender process for the ghee occurs every six months, with strict quality controls in place, including NABL certification. TDP is politicizing religious matters,” he said, referring to Naidu as a “pathological and habitual liar.”
Despite the ongoing political tensions, the faith of devotees in the sanctity of Tirupati laddoos appears to remain unshaken, as the prasad continues to be a beloved offering at the temple.
