Karnataka temples ordered to use Nandini ghee after Tirupati laddu row

Transport & Muzrai Minister R Ramalinga Reddy on Friday ordered all muzrai temples in Karnataka must use only Nandini ghee for preparation of prasadam and food served to devotees after allegations about presence of animal fat in Tirupati laddu have surfaced, triggering an uproar.

Nandini is Karnataka’s flagship dairy brand owned by the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Federation (KMF) and comes next to Amul in market reach and turnover. Hundreds of temples in Karnataka, both big and small, are controlled by the Muzrai department and many of them serve food, free of charge, to devotees.



“I am sure our temples have been using Nandini products for preparation of prasadam. But when the CM of a State makes a serious allegation, it could spark doubts in the minds of the public. I don't want to give scope for that, so we decided to issue a circular to all temples,” the minister told ET.

The TTD Trust stopped buying Nandini ghee three years ago saying the prices quoted by the KMF were higher than those quoted by other bidders. The KMF has now resumed the supply to TTD trust after the TDP regime took over.


BJP Karnataka unit president BY Vijayendra told media that it was shocking that beef and other fat were used in Tirupati prasadam. He said he was glad the Andhra Pradesh government has exposed this scam. This has insulted the sentiments of Hindus, he said, while urging chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to take stern action against the people involved.

The YS Jagan Reddy regime not only failed the people but shattered the trust of devotees. This is an affront to every devotee, and we will not remain silent, he said in an earlier post on X.