A video showing rats moving inside baskets used for storing prasadam at the Annavaram Satyanarayana Swamy Temple’s Namunalayam in Kakinada district has gone viral on social media, triggering outrage among devotees. The incident raised serious concerns over hygiene and food safety at one of the state’s prominent pilgrimage centres.
The Namunalayam, located along the National Highway, serves as a major stop for devotees traveling to different regions, many of whom purchase prasadam while passing through. On Wednesday night between 10.30 pm and 11.00 pm, devotees noticed rats inside plastic baskets containing packed prasadam. When questioned, the staff on duty allegedly responded in a casual and insensitive manner, further angering the devotees.
అన్నవరం దేవస్థానంలో ప్రసాదం బుట్టల నిండా ఎలుకలు. భక్తులు ఎలుకలు ఏంటని ప్రశ్న. కొనుక్కుంటే కొనండి లేకపోతే వెళ్లిపోండంటూ దురుసుగా ప్రవర్తించిన సిబ్బంది.#annavaram #rats #AndhraPradesh #UANow pic.twitter.com/Rfu9jB37HA
— UttarandhraNow (@UttarandhraNow) January 23, 2026
Devotees immediately recorded the incident on their mobile phones and shared the video on social media, where it spread rapidly. The visuals drew sharp criticism, with devotees expressing shock and disappointment over such negligence at a sacred place.
The matter was brought to the notice of Annavaram Temple Executive Officer Trinatha Rao, who responded promptly. Officials were directed to carry out immediate repairs to the prasadam storage cabin and take strict preventive measures to stop rodents from entering. As disciplinary action, two staff members, including a temple worker and a security guard, were temporarily suspended. Temple authorities assured devotees that stringent hygiene measures would be implemented to ensure such incidents do not recur.