The controversy surrounding the laddus served as prasad at the Tirupati temple is escalating. This raises questions about the quality, purity, and sanctity of prasad prepared at major temples across the country, as each temple attempts to ensure trust. This includes the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, where devotees purchase around a thousand kilograms of Mahaprasad laddus every day.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust has assigned two vendors the responsibility for supplying these laddus. As soon as the controversy over Tirupati's prasad arose, a team of Vishwanath temple officials and staff, along with an 'AajTak' news team, inspected the vendor's premises where the laddus are prepared.
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God Balaji provided the method, and Goddess Lakshmi herself prepared the prasad… the story of Tirupati's laddus
Inspecting the entire laddu-making process from start to finish
Kashi Vishwanath temple’s SDM Shambhu Sharan Singh inspected the quality, purity, and sanctity of the laddu-making process, tasting the laddus himself along with his team. In an exclusive talk with AajTak, he revealed that ever since the news about Tirupati Balaji's prasad broke in the media, Kashi Vishwanath temple has been diligently assessing its prasad’s quality.
Kashi Vishwanath temple sees the highest number of devotees in the country, and thus, the food department ensures the quality of the prasad. Regarding lab tests, he confirmed that the ghee lab report shows no irregularities, but sampling is being repeated for further assurance. He mentioned that the prasad offered to Baba Vishwanath is made by the temple priests themselves. Additionally, for supplying prasad to devotees, a vendor tie-up exists.
Vendorman Ashok Halwai’s statements
The vendor Ashok Halwai emphasized that immense care is taken to maintain quality, purity, and sanctity. Even the workers refrain from consuming garlic, onions, or intoxicants. Workers wear masks while preparing laddus and must leave the building for meals and other needs.
Ensuring cleanliness while making laddus
A worker, Rekha, shared that she comes to work after bathing in the morning and meticulously maintains cleanliness while making laddus. For meals or other needs, she steps outside. Another worker, Abhishek, also highlighted the strict cleanliness maintained during the process.
