Polyester for the Deity? TTD Finds "Sacred Cloth" Was Fake for 10 Years

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the custodian of the world's richest Hindu temple, has uncovered a decade-long fraud involving the supply of fake silk dupattas. On December 9, 2025, TTD Chairman [BR Naidu] revealed that dupattas worth ₹54 crore, billed as pure mulberry silk, were actually made of polyester. The scam came to light after an internal vigilance probe, confirmed by laboratory tests from the Central Silk Board, found that a single contractor, [VRS Exports], had supplied the counterfeit items since 2015. The findings have triggered an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation.

The Context (How We Got Here)

This revelation is the latest in a series of scandals rocking the TTD administration. It follows the discovery of the "Laddu Prasadam" ghee adulteration scam earlier this year, which implicated procurement officials in a ₹251 crore fraud. The silk scam operated under a similar model: a monopoly supplier, lack of competitive bidding, and compromised quality checks. The dupattas in question are used for ceremonial gifting to VIPs and donors. Most shockingly, officials suspect that even the Melchat Vastram—the sacred cloth used to adorn the deity of Lord Venkateswara—may have been swapped for polyester during the previous regime.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

• BR Naidu (TTD Chairman): The whistleblower. Appointed by the new TDP government with a mandate to "cleanse" the administration, his personal intervention exposed the pricing anomaly where ₹350 dupattas were billed at ₹1,300.
• VRS Exports: The accused. Holding an exclusive contract for ten years, this Nagari-based firm is alleged to have supplied over 36,000 fake items, bypassing 23 separate quality specifications including weight, weave, and holographic markings.
• Central Silk Board: The verifier. Their lab tests provided the scientific evidence that the material was "100% polyester," contradicting earlier certifications and raising serious questions about the integrity of previous quality control audits.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While headlines focus on the "fake silk," the deeper story is the "Procurement Blind Spot." For ten years, one of India's most powerful institutions was duped by a simple material swap because its procurement system remained analog in a digital world. The reliance on manual inspections and paper certifications created a perfect environment for fraud. This isn't just about corruption; it's a technological failure. In an era where handheld AI scanners can authenticate fabric composition in seconds, the TTD's outdated verification methods allowed a ₹54 crore scam to hide in plain sight, eroding devotee trust in the sanctity of temple offerings.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

The scandal will likely force a complete overhaul of TTD's procurement policies, moving away from single-vendor contracts to open, competitive bidding. It also puts the spotlight on the "Silk Mark" certification process, which failed to prevent the entry of counterfeits. For devotees, the revelation that sacred offerings may have been impure for a decade strikes a deep emotional chord, potentially impacting donations and demanding greater transparency. The ACB investigation may also implicate political figures from the previous state government, turning a religious issue into a political weapon.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If the cloth draped over the deity was fake for a decade, what else in the temple's supply chain is not what it seems?

FAQs

What is the Tirupati silk dupatta scam? It is a fraud uncovered in December 2025 where a contractor supplied polyester dupattas to the Tirumala temple while billing them as pure mulberry silk. The scam is estimated to be worth ₹54 crore over a 10-year period.

How was the fraud detected? TTD Chairman BR Naidu initiated a vigilance inquiry after noticing a pricing discrepancy. Independent tests by the Central Silk Board confirmed that the supplied items were 100% polyester, violating tender specifications.

Who is responsible for the scam? The TTD has identified a single contractor, VRS Exports from Nagari, as the primary supplier. The firm allegedly held a monopoly on the contract since 2015.

Is the cloth used for the deity also fake? Officials suspect that even the Melchat Vastram, the sacred cloth used to adorn the presiding deity, may have been polyester during the period in question, though this is still under investigation.

What action has been taken? The TTD has cancelled the contracts with the firm, withheld pending payments, and referred the case to the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a criminal investigation.

Sources

News Coverage

• NDTV – Polyester dupattas sold as silk in Rs 54 crore scam in Tirupati temple
• Moneycontrol – After fake ghee, Rs 55 crore silk dupatta scam rocks Tirupati temple
• India TV News – Rs 54 crore silk dupatta scam shakes Tirumala temple
• Hindustan Times – Tirupati temple board orders probe into 54 crore shawl procurement fraud

Research & Analysis

• News Arena India – Fake silk shawl scam hits Tirumala
• India Today – Chandrababu Naidu orders reforms Tirumala Tirupathi