Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram. File | Photo credit: L. Balachandar
Six employees have been suspended following the revelation of alleged irregularities of ₹3.40 crore in the distribution of prasadam laddus at the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram.
During the financial year 2023-24, a plan to provide free laddu as prasadam to devotees was introduced at the temple, which receives thousands of devotees every day. However, there were complaints about irregularities in the distribution of the religious offering.
Temple Joint Commissioner Chelladurai has initiated an investigation.
Findings revealed that K. Panchamoorthi, a junior assistant who served as the officer in-charge of making and selling the temple’s prasadam, allegedly siphoned off money by reducing the number of free laddus meant for devotees and selling them over the counters instead. The raw materials were further bought in bulk from outside for the illegal manufacture of laddus, which were then sold over the counters.
Between 2023 and February 2026, a total of 11,40,000 laddus were made illegally and sold to devotees for cash, temple sources said. The said accounts point to a fraudulent sale of ₹ 3.40 crore.
After the audit, Mr Chelladurai ordered the suspension of six employees allegedly involved in the scam – junior assistants Panchamoorthi, Lavanya and Ambika; ticket seller Selvi; maid Sivaneswari; and cleaning staff Vikram. In addition, three temporary workers were dismissed.
Published – 16 May 2026 0:21 AM IST
