Why No Indigenous Milk For TTD? SC Weighs In

Vijayawada 22, 2025: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition that sought directions for the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to exclusively use milk from indigenous cows for offerings to Lord Venkateswara.

The apex court, comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Koteswar Singh, stated that there are far more pressing issues to address and emphasized that genuine devotion to God is found in serving fellow living beings, not in such specific requirements.

The petition was filed by Shiva Shankar Kolisetty, chairman of the Yuga Thulasi Foundation, Hyderabad, along with three others. They argued that, according to Agama Shastras, only milk from indigenous cows should be used for worship, the preparation of offerings to Lord Venkateswara, and in anna prasadam. The petitioners’ counsel contended that the TTD had previously passed a resolution to this effect but was failing to implement it, naming the TTD chairman, Executive Officer (EO), and Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) as respondents.

However, the Supreme Court bench was disinclined to entertain the plea, indicating its intention to dismiss the petition. Following this, the counsel for the petitioners requested to withdraw the petition, which the bench accepted, marking it as dismissed and withdrawn.