The controversy regarding the adulteration of Tirumala Laddu Mahaprasadam has captured the nation’s attention. The issue arose after reports suggested that adulterated ingredients were being used in the preparation of the popular Tirupati Laddu prasadam. In response, Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan proposed the formation of a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at the national level to safeguard the sanctity of Hindu religious offerings. This idea has sparked widespread debate, with many religious leaders and organizations supporting the initiative. They also emphasized the need for major temples to have their own Goshalas (cow shelters) to ensure the purity of milk and milk products used in prasadams.
Various people have shared their opinions on this matter.
Freeing Temples from Government Control
Kancharla Mahendr Reddy from Nakrekal believes that temples should be freed from the Endowment Department. He suggests that temple trusts should be managed autonomously by dedicated Hindu individuals, similar to how the Shirdi Sai and Satyasai Baba trusts are run. He also agrees that major temples having their own Goshalas is a good idea.
Yadadri Temple’s Goshala
Bhaskar Rao, the executive officer of Yadadri Temple, mentioned that the Yadadri temple already has its own Goshala with around 180 to 200 cows. The Goshala is maintained hygienically, and about 15 to 20 cows provide milk daily, which is used for religious rituals like Swamy’s Abhishekam. He believes having a Goshala is beneficial for temples.
Government’s Role in Temple Management
S Vishal Kumar from Hyderabad feels that the government should remain involved in temple management, especially because many smaller temples struggle with funding. While large temples receive significant donations, smaller ones do not have enough resources. He emphasizes that every major temple, and even smaller ones, should have their own Goshalas, but they should be maintained by the government.
Supporting Autonomy for Temples
Lakkakula Thukaram, an advocate from Nirmal, argues that temples should be independent of the Endowment Department. He points out that Hindu temples have historically been a significant source of income, even during British rule. He believes that prominent temples like Tirumala and Yadadri should have their own Goshalas.
Balanced View on Temple Management
Anil Neelam feels that temples should not be completely free from the Endowment Department, as government funding is necessary for their smooth functioning. However, he supports the idea of temples having Goshalas, as they help preserve traditional Hindu practices and support local economies. He also believes temple-run Goshalas can provide better care for cows and educate visitors about Hindu values.
Removing Government Control
PL Nagesh, the ex-chairman of the Ganesh Temple in Secunderabad, questions why temples are under government control when other religious places like churches and mosques are not. He argues that temples would develop faster if they were free from such control. He also supports the idea of temples having their own Goshalas to avoid the risk of adulteration in dairy products.
ISKCON as an Example
Raj Shekhar Reddy from Hyderabad believes it is illogical for Hindu temples to be under government control. He suggests that freeing temples from the Endowment Department would be a transformative move. He also supports the idea of temples having their own Goshalas, citing ISKCON as an example of a religious organization that successfully runs its own cow shelters.
In summary, while there are differing views on whether temples should be under government control, many agree on the importance of temples having their own Goshalas to prevent adulteration and maintain the sanctity of prasadam.
