Each day, over 3 lakh laddus are made at the Tirupati temple, with pilgrims purchasing them in large quantities, often as gifts for family and friends.

A devotee has raised alarm after claiming to find tobacco wrapped in paper inside a laddu received as prasadam (religious offering) at the renowned Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

J Shyamala Rao, executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which oversees the temple, said the rituals will “ward off the ill effects and restore the sanctity of laddu prasadams (consecrated food) along with the well-being of Srivari devotees.

Every day, more than 0.3 million laddoos are made at the temple, and are subsequently purchased by the pilgrims