In a festive tradition that has gained immense popularity and significance over the years, the Balapur laddu, a traditional sweet offering during the Ganesh Utsav festival, was auctioned for a record ₹27 lakh in Hyderabad. The auction took place as part of the annual celebrations organized by the Balapur Ganesh Utsav Samithi and marked the beginning of the 19 km-long Ganesh Shobha Yatra, leading to Hussainsagar Lake.
The Balapur laddu, known for its distinctive flavor and significance, has been an integral part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Hyderabad. Over the years, this sweet delicacy has gained immense popularity, and devotees eagerly participate in auctions to secure it.
This year’s auction drew the participation of 29 enthusiastic bidders, and Dasari Dayanand Reddy emerged as the successful bidder. Notably, Dasari Dayanand Reddy was the runner-up in the previous year’s auction and expressed his happiness and pride in winning the coveted laddu this year. He considered it a blessing and mentioned that he plans to present the laddu to his parents.
The winning bid of ₹27 lakh for the Balapur laddu was approximately ₹3 lakh more than the previous year when it was secured for ₹24.6 lakh by Vengeti Laxma Reddy of VLR Builders. The increasing value of the laddu in these annual auctions reflects its cultural significance and the enthusiasm of devotees.
The tradition of auctioning the Balapur laddu dates back to 1994 when it was first sold for a modest ₹450. Since then, the annual auction has grown in prominence and has become an eagerly anticipated part of the Ganesh Utsav celebrations in Hyderabad. Devotees believe that possessing the laddu prasadam brings blessings of good health, wealth, and prosperity.
In addition to the Balapur laddu auction, a similar event took place in the satellite town of Bandlaguda Jagir, where the laddu fetched a staggering ₹1.25 crore. The event was organized by residents of the gated community, Keerthi Richmond Villas, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, as part of their Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Remarkably, the organizers of this community event announced that the proceeds from the auction would be directed toward charitable causes. For the past decade, the residents of Keerthi Richmond Villas have been conducting laddu auctions during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, and these auctions have garnered significant attention and participation.
The money raised through the auction is put to noble use, including supporting children’s education, healthcare initiatives, and the distribution of groceries in collaboration with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Last year, the auction had raised ₹65 lakh, and this year’s remarkable ₹1.25 crore bid reaffirmed the community’s commitment to charitable activities during the festive season.
As part of the wider Ganesh Utsav celebrations in Hyderabad, a towering 63-foot-tall clay idol of Khairatabad Ganesh was taken out in a grand procession for immersion in Hussainsagar Lake later in the day. The annual immersion ceremony marks the culmination of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities and is a grand spectacle attended by thousands of devotees.
The Balapur laddu auction and similar events in Hyderabad demonstrate the enduring cultural and spiritual significance of Ganesh Chaturthi, bringing together communities, devotees, and philanthropic efforts to celebrate the festival with fervor and devotion.
