Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, along with his daughters, concluded his 11-day 'Prayaschit Deeksha' at the Tirumala temple in Tirupati on Wednesday. The deeksha was undertaken to seek forgiveness for the alleged use of animal fat in the famous Tirupati laddu. Kalyan will be unveiling a declaration at a public meeting in Tirupati on Thursday before offering meals to devotees in the Anna Prasadam complex and discussing the matter with TTD officials. He had started the deeksha on foot from Alipiri on Tuesday and launched it on September 22 at a temple in Nambur, Guntur district. The leader stated that the laddu, revered by millions, had been defiled due to the actions of the previous ruler and that seeking forgiveness was necessary for cleansing the sins.
Tirumala Laddu Controversy: Pawan Kalyan Embarks on Prayaschit Deeksha
Background
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site in Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple of Lord Venkateswara, commonly known as Balaji, is situated in the hill town of Tirumala. The TTD, which manages the temple, is responsible for the preparation and distribution of the renowned Tirupati laddu, a sweet delicacy considered sacred by devotees.
In recent years, allegations have surfaced that the Tirupati laddu contains animal fat, a violation of the temple's religious principles. These allegations have been vehemently denied by the TTD, but they have nonetheless sparked controversy and raised concerns among devotees.
Pawan Kalyan's Prayaschit Deeksha
In light of these allegations, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan decided to undertake a 11-day "Prayaschit Deeksha" (atonement pilgrimage) at the Tirumala temple. The deeksha, which began on September 22, 2021, involved Kalyan walking barefoot to the temple and observing strict religious practices.
Kalyan's stated purpose in undertaking the deeksha was to seek forgiveness for the alleged defilement of the Tirupati laddu. He argued that the temple and its sacred offerings had been tainted by the actions of the previous ruler and that it was necessary to cleanse these sins through atonement.
Unveiling of Declaration and Public Meeting
On the final day of his deeksha, Kalyan unveiled a declaration at a public meeting in Tirupati. The declaration outlined his commitment to upholding the sanctity of the Tirupati laddu and his support for TTD's efforts to maintain the temple's religious purity.
After the meeting, Kalyan offered meals to devotees at the Anna Prasadam complex and engaged in discussions with TTD officials regarding the laddu issue.
FAQs
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action by suspending officials and ordering a judicial probe into the incident. Criticizing the lack of responsibility and failure to assess the situation, Naidu's political opponents are also utilizing the incident to attack his government. Amidst the controversy, the temple's reputation for managing large crowds has taken a hit and measures are being suggested to prevent such incidents in the future.
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