A decade-long shawl procurement fraud has shaken the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of the world’s richest temple bodies. A routine internal vigilance check revealed that polyester shawls were supplied to the temple for nearly ten years while being billed as pure mulberry silk.
The alleged scam, valued at more than ₹54 crore, has raised serious questions about vendor oversight, procurement transparency, and internal monitoring within the temple’s supply chain.
Tirupati Shawl Scam
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is facing a major credibility crisis after its vigilance wing uncovered a decade-long shawl procurement fraud. The probe found that a contractor supplied cheap polyester shawls while charging the temple trust for premium mulberry silk. The issue, which spans 2015 to 2025, has triggered an ACB investigation and cancellation of all related tenders.
What Does the Tirupati Shawl Scam Involve?
For an entire decade (2015–2025), a contracted supplier allegedly delivered 100% polyester dupattas to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) while falsely certifying them as pure mulberry silk.
Key facts confirmed by TTD’s internal review:
- Actual cost price: ₹350 per dupatta
- Billed to TTD at: ₹1,389 per dupatta
- Total quantity supplied: 15,000 “silk” dupattas
- Total payment made: ₹54.95 crore
These dupattas were routinely used for VIP darshan, temple rituals, and special offerings, making the fraud both financially and religiously sensitive.
The scam’s timeline spans three administrations:
- 2014–2019: TDP Govt (Chandrababu Naidu)
- 2019–2024: YSRCP Govt (Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy)
- 2024–2025: TDP–JSP–BJP Govt (Naidu–Pawan Kalyan)
TTD has now cancelled the tender, blacklisted the supplier, and handed the full investigation to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
How the Tirupati Shawl Scandal Surfaced?
A routine internal check by the TTD exposed shocking fraud. The trust discovered that a contractor supplied 100% polyester shawls, but billed them as pure mulberry silk. The fake supplies reportedly ran from 2015 to 2025.
The shawls were meant to be given as gifts to major donors and used in temple rituals. But investigation findings triggered a serious alarm when laboratory tests proved they were not silk at all.
What the Tests Revealed: Polyester, Not Silk
Authorities sent samples from stored shawls and recent supplies to two independent labs, including one under the Central Silk Board (CSB). Both labs concluded the fabric was 100% polyester, not mulberry silk.
Even more critically, the mandatory silk-authentication hologram was missing from all tested shawls, a firm indication that they violated the tender terms.
Tirupati Shawl Scandal Financial Loss
TTD data shows the trust bought hundreds of “silk” shawls over ten years from the same supplier and its related companies. Each shawl costs the trust around ₹1,300, but the market value of genuine silk for similar shawls was nearly ₹350.
Altogether, the value of dupattas procured under the scam totals roughly ₹54–55 crore. TTD Chairman B R Naidu said the trust has referred the full matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Andhra Pradesh (ACB), for criminal investigation.
What Were the Fake Shawls Used For?
These dupattas were not mere decor. They were used as ceremonial gifts for VIP donors and presented during sacred rituals, including what is known as “Vedasirvachanam”. The expectation was that they would be genuine mulberry silk, befitting the sanctity and tradition of the temple. The alleged substitution of polyester undermines both the financial integrity and the ritual sanctity linked with these items.
Tirupati Temple Trust Responds: Tenders Cancelled, Investigation Launched
In response to the scandal, the TTD Board cancelled all existing contracts with the implicated supplier firm and its sister concerns. They have asked the ACB to conduct a thorough criminal investigation.
The revelations come amidst broader scrutiny of the temple’s procurement and financial practices — following earlier controversies over adulterated prasadam and alleged donation-box thefts.
What Does this Mean for TTD & Devotees?
- Loss of trust: Devotees may feel betrayed by repeated allegations of corruption and fraud at one of India’s richest temples.
- Need for better oversight: The case highlights loopholes in vendor selection, homegrown supply monopoly, low-quality checks, and weak internal controls.
- Legal accountability: If the ACB confirms wrongdoing, the suppliers and any insiders who aided the fraud could face criminal charges.
- Reputation risk for TTD: With successive scandals, the temple’s moral and spiritual standing could suffer severely.
Why Temple Procurement Matters
Temples like Tirumala manage enormous funds and public donations. False procurement, inflated billing, and fake supplies not only drain resources they also endanger the faith and faith-based trust of millions. This incident is a warning that transparency, regular audits, and strict vendor verification cannot be ignored.
