Ayodhya's Ram Mandir sends prasad for lab testing
27 Sep 2024
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has sent samples of its prasad to a government lab in Jhansi for testing.
This decision was prompted by a devotee's request for an investigation into the "elaichi dana" (cardamom seeds) distributed as prasad at the temple.
The request was posted on the IGRS portal of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and promptly acknowledged by the food safety department due to its serious nature, reports said.
Prasad samples collected for testing
Investigation underway
Assistant Commissioner (Food), Manik Chandra Singh, confirmed that the samples were collected from Haiderganj, where the prasad is prepared.
On average, around 80,000 packets of this prasad are distributed at the temple every day.
The distribution of cardamom seeds and sugar as prasad began last year after Ram Lalla was transferred from a makeshift tent to a new structure.
Calls for reform in prasad preparation and distribution
Reform calls
This incident comes amid demands for changes in the preparation and distribution of 'prasad' from Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.
In Ayodhya, Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, called for a "complete ban" on prasad prepared by external agencies.
He cited the escalating controversy over alleged use of fat and meat in Tirupati Balaji's prasad as a reason for his demand.
Mathura reverts to ancient style of prasad
Prasad changes
In Mathura, the Dharma Raksha Sangh announced its decision to revert to the "ancient style" of 'prasadam' recipes.
This change involves replacing commercially produced sweets with offerings made from fruits, flowers and other natural ingredients.
The controversy over prasad ingredients was sparked by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's claim that substandard ingredients and animal fat were used in the preparation of laddus at Tirupati Temple during the previous government's tenure.
SIT formed to probe Tirupati laddu row
Probe underway
The YSRCP, however, accused Naidu of making baseless allegations for political gains.
This led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the claims.
The SIT has been tasked with investigating whether animal fat was used in the preparation of laddus at Tirupati Temple during the previous government's tenure.
The team will also look into allegations that substandard ingredients were used in these offerings.
