TTD denies centipede found in curd rice in Annaprasadam, terms viral photo as fake news

Tirumala: A few hours after a photo went viral that allegedly showed a centipede found in curd rice at the TTD Madhava Nilayam Annaprasadam Centre, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams denied the claim, terming the it as fake news.

According to a devotee, while he and his friends were eating the Annaprasadam, he found a centipede in the curd rice. The person said that, when questioned about the incident the management refused to respond and asked him to leave the premises.

The devotee urged the newly formed government to take immediate action.

In response to the allegations made by the devotee, TTD, in a statement, said that the photo and video was fake news.

“Every day, TTD cooks food for lakhs of people. The claims that a centipede has been found in hot-cooked food are false allegations. Curd rice is prepared with very hot rice. So, there is no chance for any worm to be seen. This was intentionally done by someone” the TTD said in a statement.

CM Naidu’s visit to Tirupati

It is pertinent to note that these allegations came on the same day chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu visited Tirumala, inaugurated a modern kitchen near Panchajanyam Rest House on the Outer Ring Road and held a review meeting with the TTD officials.

During the review meeting, Naidu directed the officials to ensure that only the best quality ingredients are used in making the prasadam.

He inquired about the process of devotees’ outreach regarding the Sevas of Lord Venkateswara and felt that a proper system should be created to allow all devotees to freely express their opinions. He also made it clear that the TTD staff members should be polite with the devotees and should respect all pilgrims who are visiting the world-famous temple town.