Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud visited the Tirumala Srivari Temple on Sunday, where he offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara. The CJI, accompanied by family members, was welcomed by officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) with traditional honours.
Special Darshan at Tirumala
The CJI entered the temple through the special Vaikuntha Queue and had darshan in the sanctum sanctorum of the ancient hill shrine. Following the prayers, he and his family were blessed by priests at the Ranganayakula Mandapam, and TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao presented him with thirtha prasadams and a portrait of Lord Venkateswara.
An official press release stated, “Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, visited Tirumala Srivari temple and offered prayers to the presiding deity of Sri Venkateswara on Sunday.”
Tirupati Laddu Controversy
The CJI’s visit coincides with the ongoing controversy surrounding the famed Tirupati laddu prasadam. Allegations have surfaced that substandard ghee containing lard (pig fat) was used in the preparation of the laddus during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu claimed that lab tests conducted by TTD confirmed the presence of lard in the sacred offering.
Former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has dismissed the allegations as “diversion politics” aimed at discrediting his administration. Nevertheless, the current Andhra Pradesh government has appointed a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter.
Government’s Response to Allegations
In response to the controversy, Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad issued an order late Thursday, stating, “The government of Andhra Pradesh, in accordance with its commitment to protecting the sanctity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), has constituted an SIT for detailed and comprehensive investigation of the entire issue.”
The SIT aims to probe the allegations thoroughly and ensure that the sanctity of the sacred prasadam is maintained.