The prasadam offered in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh known for its taste, is cherished by the devotees across India and beyond. These laddus are prepared in the temple’s kitchen, known as the ‘Potu’.
The preparation process known as dittam dictates the specific ingredients and their quantities. The recipe has only been altered six times in its history. As per a 2016 TTD report, the laddus have a divine fragrance. The boondi made from besan and jiggery syrup was created to increase the prasadam’s shelf life. Later, almonds, cashews, and raisins were added to enhance both flavor and nutritional value.
Each day, TTD prepares and distributes around 3 lakh laddus at Tirumala, earning approximately Rs 500 crore annually from lady sales. The offering of Tirupati laddus dates back over 300 years, starting in 1715. In 2014, the Tirupati laddu received GI status, preventing anyone else from selling laddus under that name.
In July, lab tests revealed the presence of foreign fats in the ghee supplied by AR Dairy Foods, leading TTD to blacklist the contractor and switch to Karnataka Milk Federation.
Earlier, TTD was paying Rs 320 per kg for ghee from the blacklisted contractor, but now procures it at Rs 475 kg from Karnataka. On Thursday, the Andhra Pradesh government under TDP released lab reports showing the presence of foreign fats, including lard (pig fat), tallow (beef fat), and fish oil in the ghee supplied during the YSRC regime. The analysis conducted on July 23 after complaints about the laddu’s taste, also found fats from vegetable sources like coconut, linseed, rapeseed and cottonseed.
However, on Friday, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan set up a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ as the controversy about the ingredients in Tirupati laddoos came. The Jana Sena Party chief posted on X, ‘We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil, pork fat and beef fat) mixed in Tirupathi Balaji Prasad. Many questions to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP Govt then’, He further added that the Andhra government is committed to taking strict action.
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