Row Over Food Quality in TTD's Annaprasadam Complex

Tirupati: A video clip capturing a group of devotees expressing dissatisfaction over the quality of food served at the Annaprasadam complex of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has gone viral on various social media platforms.

This sparked a debate over the standards of the free meals provided by TTD to pilgrims.

In the video, devotees were seen highlighting issues such as large lumps of rice being served to them. While many in the social media criticised the “lack of quality,” some participants of these discussions defended the TTD's commitment to maintaining high standards.

Responding to the viral video, TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy dismissed the claims. “A section of social media users suggested that some devotees recently staged a protest at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam complex. TTD maintains utmost standards while serving free Annaprasadam to the visiting devotees," he asserted while addressing the media in Tirumala on Tuesday.

The TTD chairman noted that, during the specific time captured in the video, only 15 out of the 700-odd devotees present had complained about the quality of food served at the Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annadanam complex.

“Those complaining about the food had also attempted to intimidate others. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated at a pilgrim centre,” he said.

Karunakar Reddy said that the food habits differ, but in pilgrim centres devotees have to observe patience. He appealed to the devotees not to believe in such a “malicious campaign” against the TTD, and assured them that the temple administration is always prepared to rectify its lapses, if any.