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It’s a wonder how several Indian temples have existed since the ancient era and have survived climate conditions and wars. Amid the ongoing row around Tirupati Temple and adulterated ghee used in the making of its prasadam, old writing on a wall showcases the right way to use the clarified butter for sacred offerings to Lord Venkateswara.
These writings help people dive into the past to understand how people in the ancient era handled the ladoos to ensure no adulteration happened. According to a report by The Hindu, the inscriptions date back to the 8th and 18th centuries. Between Tirumala and Tirupati, there are 1150 inscriptions of which 700 are on Tirumala Temple walls.
The ancient texts have been written in Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, and Telugu. The packaging of ghee is mentioned in texts dating back to 1019 CE so that it can be transported safely to Tirumala.
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Tirupati Temple: What Do Ancient Texts Say About Ghee Use In Making Prasadam?
The translation of the inscriptions shows that the king used to appoint an officer whose only responsibility was to look into the conduct of services and donations made in the temple's name because people questioned the same.
On the northern wall of the first Prakaram (inner precinct) of Ánanda Nilayam of the temple, the translated text reveals that ghee was sealed and transported to Tirumala every day. The duty of the officer was to ensure this task took place seamlessly and there was no scope for adulteration. The clarified butter received so much importance because it was not only used to prepare sacred ladoos but also to light the revered lamp in front of Lord Venkateswara.
These inscriptions tell the readers that the first committee to investigate and ensure the purity of ghee was formed in the ancient era. The Dittam (step-by-step procedure like a doctrine) was followed from first step to the last. An officer was assigned the task to ensure the quality and quantity of the ghee was appropriate before it was packed and sent into the sanctum sanctorum for offering to the deity (or Naivedyam).
Following the controversy of beef tallow found in the prasadam offered at the Tirupati Temple, these inscriptions show how people in ancient times avoided adulteration of food, especially sacred offerings.
