Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced on Saturday that devotees visiting the Lord Venkateswara temple on Tirumala hills have expressed satisfaction with the quality of the ‘laddu prasadam.’ Speaking to the media after inaugurating the new Vakulaamatha centralized kitchen established by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), he mentioned that labs will be set up to test the quality of ingredients used in the laddu. If necessary, the TTD may consult the IIT in Tirupati for recommendations on processes.
Naidu’s remarks followed allegations regarding the use of adulterated ghee in laddu production during the previous YSR Congress regime, which former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has denied. He noted that many devotees had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the laddu quality, leading to unrest, and emphasized that the current administration is committed to addressing these concerns.
“We will not tolerate any issues related to purity,” Naidu stated, affirming the TTD’s commitment to preserving the sanctity of Lord Balaji. He held a review meeting with TTD officials, urging them to ensure that only the highest quality ingredients are used for prasadams.
Additionally, Naidu called for a reduction in VIP culture at Tirumala and proposed measures to minimize disruption during celebrity visits. He advocated for a simple and spiritual decoration of the temple, free from unnecessary expenditure.
Naidu also advised that all temples, not just TTD, should seek devotees’ opinions on various matters, stressing that the only sound to be heard on the Tirumala hills should be “Govinda namam.” He recommended increasing the forest area in Tirumala from 72% to 80%.
During his visit, Naidu offered “Pattu Vastralu” to Lord Venkateswara on behalf of the state government for the annual Brahmotsavams and launched the TTD calendar and diary for 2025.
