Temple Authorities Ban Outside Sweets Amid Prasad Purity Concerns

Temple authorities in Andhra Pradesh have banned devotees from bringing external sweets as offerings, urging them to bring coconut, fruits, and dry fruits instead. This decision comes amid outrage over allegedly 'adulterated' laddus offered at the Tirupati Temple. The move aims to ensure the purity and sanctity of prasad offerings.

Temple authorities in Andhra Pradesh have imposed a ban on devotees bringing sweets and other processed items for offerings, urging them instead to bring coconut, fruits, and dry fruits. This decision follows a scandal involving 'adulterated' laddus offered at the Tirupati Temple.

Several prominent temples in Sangam city, including Alop Shankari Devi, Bade Hanuman, and Mankameshwar, have also announced similar restrictions.

Shiv Murat Mishra, the chief priest of Lalita Devi temple in Prayagraj, stated, 'In our management meeting, it was decided that sweets will not be offered as prasad but devotees are requested to offer coconut, fruits, dry fruits, cardamom, etc.' Plans are underway to open shops within temple premises to provide pure sweets to devotees.

Yamuna Puri Maharaj, chief patron of the Alop Shankari Devi Temple, and Mahant Shridharanand Brahmachari Ji Maharaj of Mankameshwar temple, echoed the sentiments, banning outside prasad and emphasizing the importance of purity.

In Lucknow, the Mankameshwar temple has also banned outside prasad, allowing only homemade offerings. The temple management is planning quality checks and might establish their own prasad production facilities, reflecting a growing concern for safety and authenticity.

This move follows allegations from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu about the use of substandard ingredients and animal fat in Tirupati laddus during the previous government. Naidu has announced a Special Investigation Team to probe these claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)