Another Scandal Rocks Tirumala: ₹54 Crore 'Dupatta Scam' Exposed; Polyester Sold as Sacred Silk for a Decade
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The famed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), already reeling from the "laddu prasadam" adulteration controversy, has been hit by yet another massive scandal. In a shocking revelation, the temple trust has alleged that the sacred "silk" dupattas (scarves) distributed to VIP devotees and donors for the past decade were, in fact, made of 100% polyester.
The scam, estimated to be worth ₹54 crore, spans from 2015 to 2025. TTD Chairman BR Naidu has cracked the whip, cancelling all contracts with the accused supplier and handing the investigation over to the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The Fraud: Polyester at the Price of Silk
According to temple rules, the sacred dupattas presented during the Vedasirvachanam ritual must be woven from pure mulberry silk. They are required to have a specific weight, a silk hologram for authenticity, and carry the inscription "Om Namo Venkatesaya" in Sanskrit and Telugu.
However, a vigilance inquiry ordered by the new board revealed a glaring fraud:
- The Switch: The supplier, identified as VRS Exports from Nagari, allegedly supplied polyester dupattas costing roughly ₹350 per piece.
- The Bill: These were billed to the TTD at premium silk rates ranging from ₹1,300 to ₹1,389 per piece.
- The Scale: Over the last 10 years, the firm and its sister concerns supplied cloth worth nearly ₹54.95 crore.
Lab Reports Confirm Deception
The suspicion arose when the new TTD board directed the vigilance wing to test the quality of current stocks. Samples taken from the Tirupati warehouse and the Vaibhavotsava Mandapam were sent to the Central Silk Board laboratories in Bengaluru and Dharmavaram.
The results were damning. Both labs confirmed that the material was "Polyester x Polyester"—containing zero silk content. Furthermore, the mandatory silk hologram, a non-negotiable proof of purity, was missing from all samples.
Immediate Action: Contract on Hold
The revelations have had immediate consequences. TTD officials disclosed that VRS Exports had recently been awarded a new contract to supply 15,000 more dupattas. That contract has now been put on indefinite hold.
"A shawl that costs about ₹350 was being billed at ₹1,300. The total supplies would amount to more than ₹50 crore. We have asked for an ACB probe to identify those behind this alleged fraud," Chairman BR Naidu stated.
Background: A Season of Controversies
This "dupatta scam" is the latest in a series of embarrassments for the world’s richest Hindu temple trust.
- Laddu Scam (2024): An internal report allegedly found traces of animal fat in the ghee used for the world-famous Tirupati laddus, sparking a national outcry and a CBI-monitored probe.
- Parakamani Theft (2023): A temple employee was caught stealing cash from the Srivari Hundi (donation box), raising questions about internal security.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
For the millions of devotees who visit Tirumala, these offerings are not just cloth or food; they are sacred symbols of their devotion to Lord Venkateswara. The revelation that the "silk" scarf draped over a devotee’s shoulders was a cheap polyester imitation is a breach of faith that goes beyond money. With the ACB now involved, devotees are hoping for a complete cleanup of the temple's administration.
Stay tuned to TheTrendingPeople.com for latest updates on the TTD investigation.