Mice spotted in prasad at Siddhivinayak Temple | Watch Video

A video circulating on social media has raised alarm among devotees of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, allegedly showing mice on prasad packets. The viral video depicts mice crawling over torn packets of laddus, causing significant health concerns among worshippers. In response to these troubling claims, the temple's management, represented by the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGT), has firmly denied the allegations and initiated an investigation to determine the video's authenticity.

Sada Sarvankar, chairperson of SSGT and Shiv Sena leader, addressed the media, asserting that the prasad in question does not originate from the temple. "Lakhs of laddus are distributed daily, and the place they are prepared is clean," he stated. Sarvankar described the conditions shown in the video as dirty, indicating it was filmed outside the temple. To bolster their case, the temple trust plans to review CCTV footage to trace the video's origins, with oversight from a senior officer.

The temple management has emphasized its commitment to food safety and quality control. During an earlier press conference, Sarvankar highlighted that all ingredients used for prasad, such as ghee and cashews, undergo rigorous testing at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's laboratory. "This ensures that the prasad given to devotees is pure," he reassured the public.

This incident follows a broader context of the controversy surrounding temple prasad in India, particularly amid recent allegations regarding the quality of Tirupati laddus. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous government of using substandard ingredients in the famous laddus. In light of these controversies, the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust is keen to maintain the integrity of its offerings and is dedicated to resolving the current situation promptly.

As investigations continue, the temple trust has reiterated its adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations and BMC norms. With assurances of transparency and thorough examination, the temple management aims to reassure devotees of the safety and purity of the prasad distributed at Siddhivinayak Temple.