The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Tirumala temple, has been rocked by a major procurement scandal involving the supply of dupattas.
A vigilance inquiry initiated by the TTD Trust Board confirmed that a single supplier group allegedly sold polyester fabric billed as pure mulberry silk for nearly a decade, spanning from 2015 to 2025.
The scam centers on the purchase of Pattu Sariga dupattas, traditionally presented to major donors and visiting dignitaries during the Vedasirvachanam ceremony.
Scientific tests conducted by the Central Silk Board (CSB) labs in Bengaluru and Dharmavaram revealed the material was "Polyester × Polyester," a clear violation of the tender specifications requiring 100% pure silk.
The long-running fraud is estimated to have caused a financial loss of nearly ₹55 crore (approximately USD $6.6 million) to the TTD, with the firm supplying cloth worth ₹54.95 crore over the period.
TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu has since referred the case to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a detailed probe and criminal action against the supplier and other involved parties, while existing contracts have been cancelled.
The revelation follows other recent controversies, including alleged adulteration in the sacred laddu prasadam ghee and theft in the hundi (donation box) counting room, raising serious questions about oversight at the temple.
