Andhra CM alleges Jagan govt used animal fat in Tirupati laddus; malicious charges: YSRCP

Levelling serious allegations on the management of the Tirupati temple during the Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that substandard ingredients and animal fat were used in making the famous Tirupati laddu, a sweet whose offering is made to the deities at the temple.

The Jagan Mohan-led YSRC party has denied the charges.

‘Used animal fat instead of ghee’

The Tirupati Laddu prasadam is given at the revered Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, which is run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Naidu, while speaking at the NDA legislature party meeting on Wednesday (September 18) said that animal fat was used instead of ghee in making the laddus.

“Even Tirumala laddu was made with substandard ingredients...they used animal fat instead of ghee," he said.

The chief minister asserted that pure ghee was now being used and everything has been sanitised at the temple, leading to improved quality.

Nara Lokesh takes dig at YSRCP

Taking to X, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh also targeted the Jagan Mohan administration over the issue.

“The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam,” he said.

Targeting the previous YSRCP government, Lokesh alleged that it could not respect the religious sentiments of crores of devotees.

‘Malicious allegations,’ says YSRCP

However, senior YSRCP leader and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy termed Naidu's allegation as "malicious" and said that the TDP supremo would "stoop to any level for political gain".

YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha member Subba Reddy, who served as the chairman of TTD for two terms, alleged that Naidu had severely damaged the sanctity of the holy Tirumala and the faith of crores of Hindus with his comments.

“His comments about the Tirumala prasadam are extremely malicious. No person would speak such words or make such accusations,” he said in a post on X.

Sweet but controversial

The famous laddus of Tirupati recently hit the headlines after it was claimed by various users on social media that the sweet offering is more than 300 years old with its early origins dating back to the 16^th century.

Many historians, however, differed with the view stating that there are no historical text or inscriptions to corroborate the actual date or year the confectionery was introduced in the temple.