Laddu ‘Prasadam’ for devotees filled with worms, insects in AP

Thousands of devotees who thronged the Indrakeeladri shrine got a major shock on Sunday when the laddu ‘prasadam’ meant for sale was found filled with worms and insects, exposing gross negligence on part of the temple authorities.

Following an uproar, Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy varla Devasthanam Executive Officer, A Surya Kumari, immediately ordered withdrawal of over 50,000 laddus. The incident once again highlighted the lackadaisical manner in which the Kanaka Durga temple, the second largest in the state after Tirupati, is managed.

Food inspectors from Vijayawada Municipal Corporation inspected the temple kitchen and seized samples of the laddus for an examination.

The hill shrine of Indrakeeladri is the abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga who is the presiding deity of Vijayawada and lakhs of pilgrims visit the hill shrine during the nine-day Dasara festival.

As some two lakh laddus were supposed to be prepared to meet the festival rush so temple authorities started using an old portion of the hill shrine for preparation of the ladoos but it was filled with filth. After preparing nearly 50,000 laddus last night, the temple staff placed it in the hall for drying, completely neglecting safety and cleanliness.