Tirupati Laddu row: Devotees claim insects found in Prasad

Temple authorities have denied devotee’s claims, who said insects were found in the prasad offered at the temple.

After days of the infamous Laddu row, with allegations that it contained animal fat at Tirupati, a devotee now claims that insects have been found in the Prasad. However, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has dismissed all such claims made by the devotee who said insects were found in the Prasad (temple offering) at the Lord Venkateswara Tirupati temple.

Temple authorities deny devotee’s claims of insects in the temple offering.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has denied claims made by a devotee that insects have been found in the Prasad (temple offering). The new incident occurred a few days ago when lunch was being served at the temple. According to one devotee, he found a millipede in his curd rice, as reported by India Today. The devotee Chandu, who had traveled from Warangal to visit the temple, said, “When I raised the issue with the staff, their response was shockingly casual. They said, ‘It happens sometimes.’” The devotee then documented the incident with photos and videos and was approached by temple authorities, who at first tried dismissing the seriousness of the situation and then resorted to intimidating him.

“Insect came from the leaf used for serving Prasad.”

According to Chandu, the temple authorities claimed that the insect came from the leaf used for serving. He said, “This negligence is unacceptable. If children or others were to consume contaminated food, who would be held responsible for potential food poisoning?” However, denying such allegations, the TTD called them “baseless and false.” They insisted that the Prasad was made fresh in the temple daily for thousands of people, and an insect would have been detected. Their statement read, “TTD prepares hot Anna prasadam for thousands of devotees who come for Srivari Darshan, and it is an unconvincing claim that a millipede could fall into the food unnoticed.”

The TTD then claimed that comments made against the Prasad could be an attempt to lead devotees astray of their faith in Lord Venkateswara and were a means to defame the institution.