Ayodhya’s Head Priest Seeks Ban On Prasad Prepared By External Agencies

A massive row has erupted over the use of substandard ingredients…

The controversy over the adulteration of Tirupati Temple laddus has sparked reactions from Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and UP’s Mathura, with calls for reform in the preparation and distribution of 'prasad'.

In Ayodhya, the Head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Satyendra Das, demanded a "complete ban" on prasad prepared by external agencies for the temple.

He expressed his concerns over the purity of ghee used in temple offerings. He urged that "all prasad should be prepared under the supervision of temple priests only".

"The controversy over the alleged use of fat and meat in Tirupati Balaji's prasad is rising across the nation."

He added that, emphasizing the need for stringent inspections of the quality of oil and ghee sold nationwide.

He alleged that there was an international conspiracy to desecrate temples by mixing inappropriate substances in offerings.

In Mathura, the Dharma Raksha Sangh announced its decision to revert to the "ancient style" of 'prasadam' recipes, replacing commercially produced sweets with offerings made from fruits, flowers and other natural ingredients.

The national president of the Sangh, Saurabh Gaur, asked about the need for significant reforms in the prasadam system, saying, "A consensus had been reached among religious leaders to return to traditional practices of offering pure Prasadam."

In Prayagraj, several temples, including Alop Shankari Devi, Bade Hanuman, and Mankameshwar, have banned devotees from bringing sweets as offerings.

Shiv Murat Mishra, the chief priest of the Lalita Devi Temple, said the management decided to ask devotees to bring only coconuts, fruits, and dry fruits.

"Until the purity of the sweets is clear in the investigation, they will not be allowed to be offered in the temple," said Mahant Shridharanand Brahmachari Ji Maharaj of the Mankameshwar Temple.

Yamuna Puri Maharaj, chief patron of the Alop Shankari Devi Temple and secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, said devotees will not be allowed to bring sweets and prasad from outside the temple.