The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was caught in a controversy on Sunday when laddu trays were seen being transported from the temple kitchen to the distribution counters in an ambulance.
Devotees, who noticed the incident, were shocked at the unusual mode of transport being used by the TTD.
They alleged that the act undermined the sanctity of the laddus to which the followers of Lord Venkateswara attach immense importance.
How could an ambulance, which is generally meant for the seriously ill and for carrying cadavers, be used in the transportation of the laddu trays, they asked.
The electronic media too flashed the visuals.
The TTD clarified saying that it had despatched laddus to the SVIMS super speciality hospital at Tirupati for distribution among its employees as ‘Brahmotsavam bahumanam’. Only empty trays were sent back by the hospital authorities in the ambulance.
The vehicle in question was used to ferry students and hence no harm had been caused to the sanctity of the laddus, it maintained.
