VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan performed a purification ritual at the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada on Tuesday. This was part of his penance for the alleged adulteration of the sacred Tirumala laddu.
Pawan Kalyan, who also leads the Jana Sena Party, took these actions to seek forgiveness for not addressing the issue earlier. He carried out several purification activities at the temple, including cleaning the temple steps and offering special prayers.
Earlier, Kalyan had expressed regret over the reports of the sacred laddu being adulterated. He announced an 11-day purification vow, which includes visiting Tirumala on 1st October, walking up the Alipiri steps, and concluding his penance by offering prayers at the Tirumala temple on 2nd October.
When he arrived at the Kanaka Durga temple, temple officials welcomed him warmly. Kalyan cleaned the temple steps, applied turmeric and vermillion, and took part in a special prayer ceremony led by Vedic scholars. The ritual included religious chants and offerings to the goddess Kanaka Durga.
During a media interaction after the ritual, Pawan Kalyan raised concerns about recent incidents involving Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh. He criticized the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leadership, accusing them of disrespecting Hindu beliefs and failing to protect temples.
Kalyan specifically mentioned the alleged desecration of the Tirumala laddu. He called for accountability from officials responsible for temple activities, such as Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) officials Subba Reddy and Karunakar Reddy. He expressed disappointment over the failure to maintain the religious sanctity of the laddu, which is considered sacred by millions of devotees.
“Criticizing me is not the issue,” Kalyan said. “The problem is the failure to uphold the sanctity of Hindu rituals and practices. The laddu is a symbol of our devotion, and its desecration has caused much pain. Those responsible must answer for this.”
Kalyan also criticized remarks made by YSRCP leader P Sudhakar Reddy during a press conference in Delhi. He condemned the comments as disrespectful to Hindu beliefs and warned that such statements would not be tolerated.
Additionally, Kalyan advised actor Prakash Raj to speak responsibly on religious matters. He emphasized the importance of respecting all faiths and avoiding unnecessary criticism.
Pawan Kalyan clarified that his protest was not only about the Tirumala laddu issue but also about defending Sanatan Dharma as a whole. He stated that no one could stop him from fighting to protect his faith and called on people to speak up when any injustice or sacrilege occurs.
After completing his penance at Tirumala, Kalyan announced that he would hold a public rally in Tirupati on 3rd October to further emphasize his commitment to safeguarding Hindu traditions and practices.
As part of his vow, he will end his penance by visiting Lord Venkateswara’s shrine at Tirumala on 2nd October. Kalyan remains determined to speak out against those who, in his view, undermine the sanctity of Hindu religious practices.
