Madurai/Rameswaram: A major controversy has erupted at the famed Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu after an alleged “laddu scam” involving prasadam preparation and sales came to light. Following an internal inquiry into large-scale irregularities in the temple’s prasadam distribution system, six employees have been placed under temporary suspension. Preliminary estimates suggest that the alleged fraud may have caused financial losses exceeding ₹3.4 crore.
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Inspection Finds Major Gaps in Stock and Sales Records
According to temple administration sources, the irregularities surfaced during a surprise inspection conducted on March 14 by the joint commissioner and executive officer. During the inspection, officials reportedly found serious discrepancies between daily sales records, stock registers and the actual quantity of raw materials available for prasadam preparation. A detailed audit of storage facilities and inventory records was subsequently ordered, leading to several startling findings.
The inquiry reportedly revealed shortages of 1,145 kilograms of sugar, 439.5 kilograms of murukku flour, 373.5 kilograms of jaggery, 216 kilograms of gram flour and more than 1.4 lakh butter covers from temple stock. Officials believe the discrepancies point toward a systematic financial irregularity rather than routine administrative negligence. Investigators suspect that materials procured for temple prasadam were being diverted for unauthorised use.
Free Laddu Scheme Under Scrutiny After Alleged Diversion
Sources said the alleged fraud is linked to the free prasadam distribution scheme launched on December 31, 2023. Under the scheme, devotees were entitled to receive free 30-gram laddus. However, the inquiry reportedly found that raw materials purchased for the scheme were allegedly used to prepare additional commercial laddus for sale.
According to preliminary findings, nearly 1,000 extra 50-gram laddus were allegedly prepared every day. These laddus were reportedly sold through authorised temple counters, while the revenue generated from the sales was allegedly not fully reflected in official records. Officials suspect that funds were misappropriated over an extended period through this mechanism.
The internal audit also found alleged irregularities in the use of premium ingredients such as cardamom, cashews and ghee. Investigators claim that the quantity of these ingredients was reduced or, in some cases, omitted altogether during preparation, despite purchase bills being regularly recorded in temple accounts. This has raised concerns over deliberate manipulation between procurement records and actual usage.
Six Staff Suspended as Records Face Fresh Examination
Officials involved in the probe further alleged that additional raw materials were illegally sourced from outside markets in an attempt to conceal the scale of the operation. These materials were allegedly used to produce excess laddus beyond the temple’s authorised limit and mask the real production figures. Investigators suspect the activities may have been carried out in an organised manner involving multiple individuals.
The inquiry also uncovered allegations that certain employees collected up to ₹30,000 from temporary workers under the pretext of employment and administrative processing charges. Based on bank transaction records, stock discrepancies and employee statements, the temple administration suspended six staff members on May 5. Those suspended reportedly include junior assistants, ticket counter staff, sanitation workers and security personnel. In addition, three daily wage workers, including a machine operator, were terminated from service.
Temple authorities have forwarded a detailed report to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department for further departmental and legal action. Officials said records related to purchases, bank transactions, sales registers and stock entries from the past two years are now being re-examined. Authorities believe that a detailed forensic audit could reveal an even wider scale of alleged financial irregularities within the temple’s prasadam operations.
