In light of the Tirupati Laddu controversy, a ban has been imposed on offering sweets in temples throughout Mathura. The local religious organization, “Dharma Raksha Sangh,” has decided to encourage offerings of traditional prasad such as fruits, flowers, Panchmeva, cardamom seeds, and mishri instead of commercially available sweets.
Restrictions in Prayagraj Temples
Following the incident involving impure offerings at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, major temples have prohibited bringing in sweets like laddus and pedas from outside. The heads of these temples have requested devotees to offer coconuts, cardamom seeds, and dried fruits, as these are considered pure and free from adulteration.
Offerings to Hanuman
Baba Balbeer Giri Maharaj, caretaker of the large Hanuman Temple at Sangam, stated that once the temple corridor construction is completed, the temple management will prepare laddus and pedas for offerings. Until then, devotees will offer jaggery and chickpeas to Lord Hanuman.
Fruit Offerings at Manokameshwar Temple
At the Manokameshwar Temple on the banks of the Yamuna, head priest Shridharanand Brahmachari Maharaj announced a ban on outside prasad due to the Tirupati incident. A letter has been sent to the district magistrate to investigate the sweets sold at nearby shops. He emphasized that until the purity of these sweets is confirmed, they will not be allowed in the temple, stating that they prefer fruits over sweets for offerings.
Lalitadevi Temple’s Shift to Natural Offerings
In the famous Lalitadevi Temple in Prayagraj, chief priest Shiv Murat Mishra shared that it was decided in a management meeting that no sweet offerings will be made to the deity. Instead, devotees are encouraged to offer coconuts, fruits, dried fruits, and cardamom seeds. There are plans to open shops within the temple premises to provide devotees with pure sweets in the future.
Homemade Offerings at Alop Shankari Temple
Yamuna Puri Maharaj, chief caretaker of the Alop Shankari Temple, confirmed that all sweet offerings have been completely banned. He stated that if devotees wish to make an offering, they can do so with homemade sweets or fruits and flowers.
This move reflects a growing emphasis on purity in offerings, prioritizing traditional and locally sourced items over commercially prepared sweets.
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