New Delhi: According to the findings of a lab test, beef tallow, fish oil and palm oil have been used to prepare the laddoos which have been distributed as prasad in the Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati. The lab report has sent shockwaves across the nation with the Centre seeking to find out what happened during the process of preparing those laddoos. The controversy is showing no signs of slowing down, and in this article, we will take a look at the famous temple which is currently in the eye of the storm.
Know about Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
The Venkateswara Temple is located in the hills of Tirumala at Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. Notably, Lord Venkateswara appeared on Earth to save people from the perils of the Kali Yuga and hence, the temple is also known as the Kaliyuga Vaikuntha with the deity being called Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) runs the temple and it is, in turn, controlled by the Andhra Pradesh government. The state government appoints the head of TTD.
The history, architecture and tradition of worship
According to reports, a Thondaman king built the Venkateswara Temple. In subsequent years, the temple was reformed by the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Vijayanagara Empire. Its architectural style is a typical South Indian one and its construction probably started in 300 CE.
The Garbhagruha or the Sanctum Sanctorum is known as Ananda Nilayam. The posture of the presiding deity in Garbha Gruha, Lord Venkateswara, is standing and facing east. The tradition of worship is based on the Vaikhanasa Agama way. Notably, the Venkateswara Temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras. It is also the 75th Divya Desam and is among the 108 temples mentioned in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.
The wealth of the Venkateswara Temple
The Venkateswara Temple is one of the richest shrines in the world when it comes to donations received and wealth. Its total assets have been estimated to be over Rs 2.5 lakh crore including land, cash, buildings, and gold deposits in banks which the devotees have given as offerings. Its gold deposits in banks increased rapidly from 7.3 tonnes in 2019 to 10.25 tonnes in 2022. It is one of the most visited religious sites in the world with around 24 million devotees visiting the temple annually. The temple’s average daily footfall of pilgrims is more than 60,000 devotees, and the number crosses one lakh during any festival.
The Venkateswara Temple is located in the hills of Tirumala at Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
