The Tirupati temple laddus, which are embroiled in a controversy over the alleged use of 'animal fat' in ingredients, were distributed during the grand Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya in January. This was revealed by Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ayodhya temple, on Friday.
He said 300 kilograms of 'prasad' from the Tirupati temple was distributed to the devotees on the big day. "If animal fat was mixed in the 'prasad', it is unforgivable. Strict action should be taken against people involved in it," Satyendra Das said.
The chief priest also demanded an investigation into the allegation from an investigative agency.
"Vaishnav saints and devotees do not even use garlic and onions. In such a context, the use of fat in the offerings is very unfortunate. It is a mockery of the Hindu faith," Das said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has claimed that a key ingredient used to prepare the laddus given as 'prasadam' in the revered Sri Venkateswara temple contains animal fats and fish oil. He alleged that animal fat was used instead of ghee to make the 'prasadam' when his predecessor Jagan Mohan Reddy was the Chief Minister. TDP has alleged the use of beef tallow, lard, fish oil and palm oil in the laddus.
The Ram Temple was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on January 22. Mainly VIPs had attended the event.