Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan has said that he will seek atonement for not being able to detect animal fat in laddu prasadam given to devotees at Tirumala Tirupati temple and observe “penance initiation” for 11 days effective Sep 22, to show repentance for the sin.
Calling it "a stain on the Hindu race", Kalyan said he was shocked to know about the alleged use of animal fat in laddu prasadam.
"Tirumala Laddu Prasadam, which is considered to be sacred, has become impure as a result of the depraved tendencies of the past rulers. Not being able to detect this sin in the beginning is a stain on the Hindu race.” he posted on X.
“I was shocked the moment I came to know that the laddu prasadam contained animal remains. Feeling guilty. As I am fighting for the welfare of the people, it hurts me that such trouble did not come to my attention in the beginning," he added.
The laddu prasadam (food and water offered to a deity during worship or puja) is given to devotees after having the darshan (auspicious sight of a deity or a holy person) in the temple.
Kalyan said that everyone who believes in Sanatana Dharma should atone for this "terrible injustice" done to the God of Kali Yuga.
"As part of that, I decided to do a penance initiation. On the morning of 22 Sep, I will take penance initiation in Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Nambur, Guntur district. After continuing the initiation for 11 days, I will visit Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy," reads his post.
Referring to alleged use of adulterated ghee during the tenure of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Kalyan said those who indulge in such crimes have “no faith in God and no fear” of indulging in such “crimes”.
He alleged that even the temple management ignored or was “afraid” to talk about it due to the fear of "demonic rulers of that time."
"It seems that they were afraid of the demonic rulers of that time. The behavior of the past rulers, who committed acts of blasphemy to the sanctity, pedagogy, and religious duties of Tirumala, which is considered Vaikuntha Dham, has hurt everyone who follows Hindu dharma,” he said in another post on X.
“And the fact that ghee containing animal remains was used in the preparation of Laddu Prasad caused a great uproar. The time has come to take steps towards restoring Dharma," he added.
Kalyan called for the formation of a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ on Sep 20 at a national level to look into all issues related to Hindu temples. He also promised to ensure stern action against those involved in “impurity act”, while emphasizing the need for discussions by policymakers, citizens, and the judiciary about religious desecration.
